Global Corruption Barometer shows Police, Political Parties, Parliaments Most Compromised

Brussels/Berlin, 7 December 2006 - Millions of people around the world come face-to-face with corruption in their daily lives and urgently want their government to take action to stop it. This is the resounding conclusion of Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer 2006, launched today in advance of International Anti-Corruption Day on Saturday, 9 December.

The 2006 Barometer, a public opinion survey conducted for Transparency International by Gallup International is based on a poll of nearly 60,000 people in 62 countries. It explores the issue of petty bribery in greater depth than ever before, highlighting people's personal experience of bribery, and identifying the sectors most affected by corruption, its frequency, and how much people must pay.

"This worldwide poll shows that corruption has a dramatic effect on the lives of individuals. Its power is enormous," said Huguette Labelle, Chair of Transparency International. "When basic services like electricity are denied to the poor because they cannot afford a small bribe, there is no light in the home, no warmth for the children and no escape for the government from its responsibility to take action."

Sixty nine percent say their government is not effective in fighting corruption, or that it makes no effort to fight it, or that it actually encourages corruption. Only 22 percent labelled their government's actions "effective" or "very effective".

The bribes are most commonly paid around the world to police. The gears of law enforcement have been jammed by corruption, with the judiciary ranked the third most corrupt institution.

Ordinary citizens perceived political parties, on average, to be the institution most affected by corruption, followed by parliaments and legislatures and then by police.

Globally, only three institutions make a positive showing: religious bodies (2.8), non-governmental organisations, and registry and permit services (both 2.9).

Note: Armenia is not included in 2006 Global Corruption Barometer.

The whole package of GCB 2006 available here or you may visit www.transparency.org