More than eight in 10 Greeks – 83% – believe corruption exists in Greece to a very large or fairly large extent, while nearly four in 10 say they became aware of at least one corrupt incident in the past 12 months, according to a nationwide survey conducted by Palmos Analysis for the National Transparency Authority (EAD).
The survey shows that while most citizens condemn corruption and say they do not tolerate it, tolerance increases in situations seen as necessary or personally beneficial. Acts considered least acceptable include demands by doctors in public hospitals for bribes (“fakelakia”), payments to obtain a driver’s license, and bribery of officials or politicians to secure favorable legislation or public contracts. Greater tolerance is recorded for contacts between businesspeople and state officials to promote investments, favorable legislation that could create jobs despite environmental risks, and political intervention for favorable military transfers.
Young people appear less strict in their views. Respondents up to age 24 are particularly tolerant of favoritism related to military postings and more likely to acknowledge widespread corruption across institutions, including the armed forces. “Perhaps young people show greater cynicism,” said Paschalis Temenekidis, research director at Palmos Analysis, speaking to Kathimerini.
Healthcare and public hospitals were cited most frequently as areas where corruption was observed in the past year, though reports declined compared with last year. Public administration, politics, justice and urban planning followed. The most common practice reported was bribery to speed up administrative procedures.
Perceptions of corruption remain high across multiple sectors, including politics, public works, media, public finances and justice. Nearly nine in 10 respondents said Greek society shows tolerance toward corruption, citing prioritization of individual over collective interest and the belief that nothing can change as the main reasons.
Only 26% of respondents said they believe measures or actions to combat corruption have been taken over the past decade.