1. CORRUPTION
BENCHMARKING IN
SERBIA
ZERO TOLERANCE IS GAINING
TRACTION!!!
Report prepared for UNDP Serbia
Report prepared by CeSID DOO, Belgrade
December 2012

2.  Research Methods
 Where is Serbia headed?
 Major problems -- No surprises
 The Incidence of Corruption -- Surprises
 Corruption Perceptions -- More surprises
 Waging battle against corruption
 How is the Anti-Corruption Agency doing?
2

3. METHODS
Research realised by CeSID for UNDP Serbia
Field work December 14 - 21, 2012
Random sample of 597 Serbian
Type and sample size
citizens over 18
Sample frame Polling station
Random sample - no substitutions –
Household selection every other house within the polling
station
Selection of interviewees within Random sample - no substitutions
households first birthday selection method
Research technique Face to face
Research instrument Questionnaire 3

4. Serbia is headed in the right direction!!
According to 32% of interviewees
Optimism leaps for the first time
since UNDP launched the survey 3
years ago.
Pessimism plummets, falling
below 45%.
Yet, many are uncertain, and
challenges remain in
consolidating confidence and
optimism.
4

5. How are you doing?
More than half say ok!!!
2012 dec 0%
1% 10% 45% 31% 13%
2012 jun 1% 9%
0% 31% 45% 14% Doesn`t know
Exceptionally
2011 nov 1%
1% 12% 35% 45% 6% good
Fairly good
2010 oct 3%0% 14% 39% 34% 10% Bearable
Bad
2010 mar 1% 13%
1% 10% 37% 38% Unbearable
2009 oct 1%2% 11% 37% 38% 11%
44% say their living conditions are “unbearable” or “bad,” an unacceptably high number.
But those who say conditions are “bearable” or “fairly good” increased to more than 55%
5

6. WHAT ARE THE MAJOR PROBLEMS?
40% 44%
41%
Unemployment 32%
29% 35% 15% say corruption is
9% 15%
Corruption 7% 12%
the biggest problem in
8% 11%
Serbia. In a country
14% 23%
Poverty 21%
23% preoccupied with
21%
23% personal & household
5%7%
5% 9% hardship, corruption is
Lack of opportunities for young people
8%
7% the only societal
6% 9%
Low salaries 7% 10% problem which
7%9%
2012 dec increased in awareness
1%3%
Feeble and inefficient institutions 2%
2% over the last six
3%
2% 2012 jun
3%
months.
3%
4%
Crime and security 4% 7% 2011 nov
9%
2%
The percentage of
Relations with Europe and the EU
1%
1%3% 2010 oct citizens who recognise
1%3%
2% 2010 mar corruption as the key
1%3%
Poor education system 2%
1%
problem has never been
2% 2009 oct
2% this high.
2%
1%
Health care 2%
2%
2%
1% Awareness can lead to
1%
1%
Kosovo and Metohija 1% intolerance &
1%
1%
1%3% intolerance leads to
Pensions 2%4% change.
3%
3%
6

7. THE INCIDENCE OF
CORRUPTION
WHO PAID, HOW MUCH, TO
WHOM AND WHY?

8. THE INCIDENCE OF CORRUPTION:
BIG MOVES IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
38% 39%
34% 35%
33%
20%
15% 16%
13% 14%
11%
8%
2009 2010 2010 2011 2012 2012 2009 2010 2010 2011 2012 2012
oct mar oct nov jun dec oct mar oct nov jun dec
Indirect experience Direct experience
Direct and indirect experience fell by nearly a half, after three years with little movement.
Fewer people paid a bribe in the last half of 2012 than ever before in the survey’s history.
Why the positive change?? In part, because widespread media coverage of corruption cases raises
awareness and stokes intolerance.
8

9. WHO GOT PAID??
Doctors, Police and municipal clerks remain at the top of the list -- but
remember -- these are who citizens come in contact with most.
9

10. WHY DID PEOPLE PAY BRIBES?
TO GET WHAT THEY’RE ENTITLED TO!!!
64%
56%
22% 22% 23%
13%
I was directly I offered to pay I offered bribe I was directly I offered to pay I offered bribe
asked to pay 22 in order to to obtain asked to pay 22 in order to to obtain
avoid certain avoid certain
problems with services problems with services
relevant relevant
individuals individuals
Indirect experience Direct experience
Nearly two-thirds paid a bride to get a service that they’re entitled do - like medical care, a license or
a permit.
A much smaller number paid a bribe to avoid a problem - like a traffic ticket.
Note: Bribes were often not solicited. So what’s going? Who is at fault?
The average bribe: 168 in December, much more than 103 in June. 10

11. PERCEPTIONS ARE CHANGING IN A BIG WAY FOR
THE BETTER
2012 dec 10% 8% 12% 45% 24% 1%
doesn’t know/no
answer
2012 jun 9% 24% 24% 35% 8% 0%
grew significantly
2011 nov 7% 23% 25% 35% 10% 0% grew a little
0% remained the same
2010 oct 8% 10% 23% 47% 12%
decreased a little
2010 mar 9% 25% 20% 38% 7% 1%
decreased a lot
2009 oct 8% 19% 22% 40% 11% 0%
Major move to the upside at the end of 2012: 25% say corruption decreased.
More than ever before.
Many say there was no change, but optimism trumps pessimism
11

12. WHERE IS CORRUPTION HEADED
IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS??
MANY SAY “DOWN!”
2012 dec 13% 4% 9% 33% 34% 7%
doesn’t know/no
answer
2012 jun 9% 19% 21% 36% 12% 3% will grow
significantly
2011 nov 11% 16% 21% 38% 13% 1% will grow a little
1%
will remain the same
2010 oct 14% 8% 17% 43% 17%
will decrease a little
2010 mar 10% 14% 19% 45% 12% 0%
will decrease a lot
2009 oct 9% 14% 18% 41% 16% 1%
41% say corruption will decrease in the next 12 months - powerful expression of confidence
Only 13% think corruption will increase.
If confidence continues to build, then efforts to combat corruption will gain traction. 12

13. WHAT CONSTITUTES CORRUPTION?
INTERVIEWEES HAVE A GOOD HANDLE ON THE
DEFINITIONS.
Financing of someone’s 77%
60%
campaign, expecting certain 61%
62%
66%
benefits in case of victory 56%
70%
Re-directing of state budget to 55%
59%
one’s electoral units 60%
62%
Citizens know
53%
what corruption is!
Conflict of interest, promotion 66%
54%
of political parties/business 56%
58%
groups by using the status… 53%
61%
2012 dec … and they want
55%
64% 2012 jun something to be
Giving gifts or money to
professors or medical staff
56%
58% 2011 nov done about it.
58%
55% 2010 oct
64%
Use of public position for 53% 2010 mar
54%
obtaining of gifts and money 56% 2009 oct
62%
48%
60%
Use of public position for 52%
provision of support to friends 56%
58%
58%
and family 51%
52%
Distribution of gifts in electoral 44%
46%
campaign 44%
46%
38%
13

14. HOW TO FIGHT CORRUPTION:
PUNISH THE PERPETRATORS !!!
Doesn’t
I partially I partially I
Corruption in general know/no I agree
agree disagree disagree
answer
There’s no will in Serbia for real and efficient
6% 40% 20% 15% 19%
uprooting of corruption
Corruption can be uprooted only by severe
3% 71% 15% 5% 6%
punishment of perpetrators
Corruption can be uprooted only by removal of its
3% 66% 18% 8% 5%
causes
Every institution should equally be responsible for
prevention of and battle against corruption among its 4% 71% 16% 6% 3%
ranks
Specialised institutions (police, judiciary, Agency)
4% 68% 18% 6% 4%
should be the leaders in battle against corruption
There is no cooperation and coordination between
17% 46% 22% 9% 6%
specific institutions in the battle against corruption
14

15. WHERE DOES CORRUPTION LURK??
Political parties 76% 80% 74% 76% 77% 72%
Health care 78% 70% 73% 74% 74% 69%
Judges 70% 70% 68% 67% 69% 64%
Prosecutors 65% 66% 67% 64% 67% 63%
Attorneys/lawyers 66% 68% 67% 63% 62% 60%
Police 65% 65% 57% 63% 64% 56%
Customs 72% 62% 63% 63% 66% 52%
City/administration 55% 55% 52% 55% 64% 51%
2009 Oct 2010 March 2010 Oct 2011 Nov 2012 Jun 2012 Dec
Political parties top the list of institutions perceived to be the most corrupt.
Unsurprising in an election year.
Health Care shows up second on the list, which tracks with incidence.
15

16. WHERE IS CORRUPTION PERCEIVED TO HAVE
BEEN REDUCED?
Government 61% 66% 63% 67% 69% 47%
Parliament/legislation 62% 65% 60% 63% 65% 44%
President of State 43% 44% 36% 45% 47% 24%
Army 23% 23% 27% 25% 32% 13%
2009 Oct 2010 March 2010 Oct 2011 Nov 2012 Jun 2012 Dec
Big gains were registered across the spectrum of institutions: Government, parliament and the army
are percieved to have substantially reduced corrutpion within their ranks. Gains realized in the
second half of 2012 reverse a three-year slide in confidence and trust. 16

17. WHERE DOES INFORMATION ON
CORRUPTION COME FROM?
66%
35% 34%
13%
2%
Media Friends, relatives I hear about it Personal Other sources
experience
Media is the principal source of information on corruption according to
two thirds of interviewees. Within media, TV dominates.
17

18. WAGING BATTLE
AGAINST CORRUPTION

19. IN ORDER TO COMBAT CORRUPTION …
WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE & WHY IT OCCURS
42%
Inadequate control of state 53%
47%
services 38%
49%
45% Almost all of the numbers
Widespread corruption in
34%
35% improved in the second
32%
bodies that implement the law 40%
40%
half of 2012 - The state is
38%
taking greater control and
Established practice to solve 30%
37% it is exhibiting will.
problems by using 31%
38%
39%
connections and by-passing… 37% 2012 dec
27%
Yet, more needs to be done.
Imperfect legislation and mild 25% 2012 jun
29% Laws need to be
punishment for corruption 25%
25%
26% 2011 nov strengthened, and
27% 2010 oct implementing bodies need
Lack of will among political 33%
25%
32% to reinforce integrity
leaders to control corruption 30% 2010 mar
27%
20% 2009 oct Citizens also need to
21%
Citizens’ passivity 20%
20%
20%
shoulder responsibility and
23%
engage.
Lack of knowledge among 14%
18%
citizens or inadequate 17%
14%
13%
familiarity with their rights 16%
Inadequate number of outlets 7%
7%
where corruption can be 11%
3%
9%
reported 8% 19

20. WAGING BATTLE MEANS STOKING INTOLERANCE
AND TAKING A STAND!!
40%
33%
I’d not pay 33%
33%
33%
37% Empowerment is
I’d look for someone to help me, 26%
34% increasing!!!
29%
without paying the bribe 30%
37%
30% 40% said that they would
24%
I’d report the case to bodies that 11%
13%
2012 dec not pay -- up strongly
implement the law 13%
15%
16% 2012 jun from all prior periods.
18%
17% 2011 nov
I’d pay if I had the money 15%
18% More would seek help
20%
24% 2010 oct
and more would report.
14% 2010 mar
11%
I’d report it to administration 10%
10%
Signals that intolerance
11% 2009 oct
14% is growing, and that
9%
Wouldn’t do a thing, would wait 11%
10% confidence and trust in
for situation to change 8%
8%
9% state institutions is on
4%
7% the rise.
I’d report it to media 8%
6%
5%
9%
20

21. WHO SHOULD LEAD THE BATTLE AGAINST
CORRUPTION?
Police 49%
47%
Government 41%
46%
37%
Police and Government
Judiciary 24%
top the list among those
Anti-Corruption Agency 13%
26% that should lead the
18%
battle against corruption.
Citizens (associations of… 11%
9% Major gains were
President 4%
dec.12 registered by the
6%
Parliament 3% Judiciary and the ACA --
State audit institution 5% encouraging signals
3% jun.12 about public trust, and
Special elite forces 5%
7% about awareness.
Ombudsman 2%
2%
Commissioner for… 1%
1%
NGOs 1%
1%
21

22. HOW CAN WE BEST COMBAT CORRUTPION?
79%
71%
Harsh legal sanctions 66%
58% 70%
75%
69%
Improved legislation (new anti-corruption 44%
49%
law, international conventions) 42%49%
54%
61%
Strengthening of state control over public 47%
48%
2012 dec
administration 45%52%
54% 2012 jun
60% 2011 nov
Raising the level of awareness on 47%
46%
corruption 40% 50%
52% 2010 oct
51% 2010 mar
Enforced control of civil sector (NGOs) 43%
41%
over public administration 36%
41%
45% 2009 oct
45%
Transparency in administrative decision 40%
38%
making 32%37%
35%
33%
Raised salaries for public administration 21%
30%
employees 21%25%
22%
Interviewees overwhelmingly want criminals to be punished.
79% say they want to see hash legal sanctions. When courts begin to convict, then
confidence and trust in the judiciary will rise further! 22

23. HOW IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING?
….better
49%
35%
32%
22% 23%
11%
8% 9% 9%
2%
Doesn’t know/NA Very efficient Little efficient Mostly inefficient Not efficient at all
2012 decembar 2012 jun
The government gets much higher marks for its efforts to fight corruption.
Sentiments are improving!!
23

24. PERCEPTIONS OF
THE ANTI-
CORRUPTION
AGENCY

25. ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY:
NAME RECOGNITION IS INCREASING
75% 77%
65% 63%
60%
2010 mar 2010 oct 2011 nov 2012 jun 2012 dec
77% of interviewees say that they are familiar with the ACA and its work.
25

26. PERCEPTIONS: THE ANTI-CORRUPTION AGENCY
IS IT MAKING A DIFFERENCE??
26%
20%
Doesn’t know/NA 27%
28%
33%
5%
3%
Significant 2%
3%
2% 2012 dec
24% 2012 jun
19%
Partial 22% 2011 nov
24%
15% 2010 oct
35% 2010 mar
38%
A little 36%
32%
29%
10%
20%
None 13%
14%
20%
At year-end 2012 64% said the ACA was making a difference - a significant increase
from prior periods. Confidence and credibility of this institution still need to build.
26

27. RECOGNITION AND CONFIDENCE IN THE ACA MAY
BE GROWING, BUT CAN IT TACKLE POLITICAL
PARTY FINANCE???
39%
32%
27%
24%
19% 19%
17% 16%
4% 3%
Do not know / NA Not at all Very little Partially Completely
2012 jun 2012 dec
Political Parties are the institution that is most corrupt in Serbia according to
interviewees, but they are dubious that the ACA can make a difference.
27

28. THANK YOU