General

Survey says corruption in Afghanistan has doubled since 2007

Afghans paid nearly $1 billion in bribes for access to public services

According to a survey by anti-corruption charity Integrity Watch, corruption in Afghanistan has doubled since 2007. Afghans paid nearly $1 billion in bribes in 2009, a third of which was used to obtain a public service, such as access to health care and education or obtaining a passport or identity card. The average cost of a bribe is $180. More than half of those surveyed said the bribes are fueling the Taliban’s growth. Although the 6,500 people surveyed said they found the police and judiciary the most corrupt, respondents also looked towards the president and other state institutions to bring it to an end. Despite the prevalence of bribery, 90 per cent of those surveyed said they felt guilty when paying bribes, and said bribery is not part of Afghan culture.

BBC

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