More and more Russians see positive changes in the fight against corruption.

MOSCOW, March 24, 2015. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the information about the Russian assessments of the levels of corruption, most corrupt spheres of public life, and the effectiveness of the government measures to combat corruption.

More Russians mark the effectiveness of the government measures to counteract corruption: whereas in 2005 the index made up -35 scores, in 2015 it is equal to -5 which is a 13 score increase over a year (from -8 in 2013). Every second Russian notices positive changes (50%). One-third of respondents (33%) believe that the situation has not changed over the recent year (from 41% in 2013); 13% say that the situation deteriorated.

At the same time, half of Russians (56%) do not believe that corruption can ever be eliminated (71% of residents of Moscow and St.Petersburg). They are opposed by 40% of Russians who say that corruption can be won under certain circumstances.

Since 2006 the Corruption index** has not shown any movements and has remained within a range between 71 and 76. This year the Index has scored 74. Three-quarters of Russians (73%) assess the corruption levels in Russia as “high” and “very high”. Those who think so are mainly supporters of CPRF (85%) and retired persons (79%). One-fifth (20%) think the levels are average; only 2%  say “low”; and less than 1% think that there is no corruption in Russia.

The index* showing the levels of corruption at the place of residence scores 64, which is lower than the general level across the country (59% assess the levels of corruption in their city/rural area as “high” or “very high”. Over the recent years this reading has not changed much.

The most corrupt institution is local authorities (34% of respondents). Seventeen percent of Russians notice corruption among federal public officials; over two years this share has considerably decreased (from 26% in 2013). About one-quarter of respondents (23%) say that all spheres of the society are stuck in bribery; this percentage has greatly increased compared to 2013 (15% in 2013). Top five most corrupt institutions involve State Motor Vehicle Inspectorate (25%), police (22%), and judiciary system (18%). Others cite health care service (14%), large enterprises (13%), housing and utilities sector (12%), education (9%) et cet. Least corrupt sphere of public life is mass media (only 2%).

*Index of Fight against Corruption reflects how successful the efforts of the country` leadership are. The higher the value of index is, the more effective the measures are. The index is based on the question “The country` leadership is constantly talking about the need to combat corruption. Have you seen any results of these measures over a year?”; index is measured in scores and can vary between 0 and 100.

**Corruption index reflects the levels of corruption assessed by Russians. The higher the value of index is, the higher the levels of corruption are. The index is based on the question “How would you assess the extent of corruption in…?”; index is measured in scores  and can vary between 0 and 100. The coefficient “1” is assigned for the response “very high” ; “0.75” – for the response “high”; “0.5”- for the response “average”; 0.25” - for the response “low”; “0” - “no corruption”.

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted March 14-15, 2015; 1600 respondents were interviewed in 132 communities in 46 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%.

“Until 2013 there was o such answer option   

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