Corruption in the country is advancing rapidly and without brakes. One of the country’s main problems, along with insecurity and crime, spreads its tentacles. The latest Proética National Corruption Perceptions Survey, prepared by Ipsos Peru, has revealed that 94% of Peruvians link corruption with illegal economies and 42% recognize that these are the only way to get a job in their regions.
In the midst of these illicit economies, illegal mining stands out, which for 93% of those interviewed is a serious or very serious problem, although little combated. For 92%, the Peruvian State does not do enough to confront this mining that operates outside the law.
“There is no lack of awareness of the problem,” is what the president of Ipsos Peru, Alfredo Torres, said, who was in charge of carrying out the survey for Proética and who presented it to the media.
The same thing happens with deforestation and illegal logging. In this same context, it was also announced that 13% of citizens know of someone to whom sexual favors have been suggested as employment, contributing to illicit economies. That 13% represents 2.5 million people in urban Peru.
DAY-TO-DAY CORRUPTION
Added to this worrying figure are others: 88% perceive that corruption has increased in the last five years, that in the next five this problem will remain the same or will get worse (87%) and that it harms them in their daily life (87%). According to the Ipsos study, corruption has grown more than 25% in the last 10 years.
With a very large advantage, Congress is perceived by 85% of Peruvians as the most corrupt institution and, paradoxically, as the entity responsible for leading the fight against this problem (45%), above the Government itself (30%) and the Police (32%).
The citizens of this country have normalized some types of corruption in the country, calling it “acceptable.” In the case, for example, of tipping a police officer, 28% consider it corruption that they can accept. The same thing happens in the case of expediting a procedure or getting a bed in a hospital.
“There is justification and tolerance for petty corruption because if not things don’t work, they don’t work,” it was said in the presentation of the results of this survey.
The self-perception of corruption decreased and now 89% consider themselves honest; However, this contradicts the index that indicates that 64% consider their compatriots to be corrupt.
“Peruvians are corrupt (not my family, not me. The people, the Congress and the police),” said the president of Ipsos Alfredo Torres, regarding this item during the presentation of the results of the survey.
Regarding the solution that could put an end to corruption, 56% believe that increasing penalties and punishments for corrupt officials could reduce the number of cases. Peruvians do not believe that a justice reform will solve the increase in corruption.
BRICKS
Bribery is also a frequent scenario for Peruvians. 31% acknowledge that they have had to give a bribe, a gift or an improper payment or personally know someone who gave it.
Bribes almost always go unpunished: 90% indicate that they or the people they know did not report when they were asked for one. 26% argue that they did not do it because it is of no use or the authorities do not pay attention.
PARTIES, CANDIDATES AND FINANCING
On the political level, Peruvians demand that corruption be punished. 67% believe that political parties should expel their members who commit illegal acts as a sign that they fight against corruption.
The survey also reflects that Peruvians prefer an honest candidate (68%) over any other quality such as experience (28%) or their work team (28%). 69% consider that parties or candidates do not clearly inform who finances their campaigns.
“The survey reveals that people are still aware that corruption generates a great impact on the popular economy and also on the national economy and that this affects trust in the State and affects the economy even at the level of growth,” said Torres.
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