Governments in Latin America and the Caribbean are failing to meet their citizens’ demands to combat corruption, according to a Transparency International survey of more than 22,000 people in 20 countries across the region.

Transparency International’s new report People and Corruption: Latin America and the Caribbean, which is part of the Global Corruption Barometer series, found that on average in the region, 29 per cent of citizens who had used six key public services – school, hospital, acquiring ID documents, utilities, police and courts – in the past 12 months paid a bribe. This is equivalent to an estimated 90 million people in the 20 countries surveyed.

In Costa Rica, 24 percent are estimated to have used bribes for obtaining such public services, lower than the regional average, and the lowest rate in Central America, but far from stellar in a would-be healthy democracy.

 

Honduras (33 percent of people paid bribes) and Panama (38 percent paid bribes) were the lowest scoring in the Central American region, according to the study.

“The people of Latin America and the Caribbean are being let down by their governments, their political class and their private sector leaders,” said José Ugaz, chair of Transparency International.

Also according to the regional study, 28 percent of people who reported corruption said they suffered from retaliation. This could explain why although whistleblowing is seen as culturally acceptable across the region, and 70 percent of citizens believe that they can make a difference in the fight against corruption, only 9 percent said they actually came forward to report bribes across the Latin American region.

Along with politicians, police were seen as the most corrupt public institution, with 47 per cent of respondents in Latin America saying that most or all officers were corrupt.

“This report shows that citizens’ demands for accountability and transparency are not being met by their leaders. Governments must do more to root out corruption at all levels, especially in law enforcement agencies, which should play a key role in fighting impunity. They must strengthen mechanisms for the investigation and prosecution of the corrupt and increase the protection of those who speak out against corruption,” said Ugaz.

Transparency International calls on governments to strengthen their judicial systems, fight police corruption, and support their citizens who are willing to report corruption. They must create accessible and anonymous reporting channels for whistleblowers, and protect them and their families from retaliation.

Self-reported bribery rates across the region were similar for both rich and poor, but bribery has a heavier impact on the poor who have fewer resources and are often more dependent on state-run services.