Transparency International’s Global Corruption Barometer (GCB) is the only worldwide public survey on people’s views and experience of corruption. Since its debut in 2003, the Barometer has gathered the views and experiences of tens of thousands of ordinary people around the world.
In 2021, the first-ever Pacific Corruption Barometer was conducted in ten Pacific countries and territories. Over 6,000 people were interviewed in the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Vanuatu. The survey covered adult men and women of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds, using quota sampling based on national population parameters.
The result is the largest, most detailed survey of corruption in the region – how people experience it, whether they feel corruption is on the rise, and what they think are the most urgent problems. The report was published on November 16th and is publicly available on the Transparency International website: https://www.transparency.org/en/gcb. A further report on seven further Pacific islands not included in the survey report is planned for publication in the first quarter of 2022
This survey was undertaken through the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Strong, Transparent, Responsive & Open Networks for Good Governance (IPP-STRONGG) programme, which is funded by the New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Key Findings
- Corruption is frequently a problem in both government and business throughout the Pacific
- Many government-business relationships lack integrity
- Corrupt officials often go unpunished
- Corruption in public services is common
- Uneven access to public services drives corruption
- Political integrity is low, particularly around elections
- Sexual extortion - or sextortion - is a very concerning issue
- People support their Governments’ anti corruption efforts
- Citizens believe they can help stop corruption
While there are common findings across the Pacific, it is also noteworthy that the survey results vary substantially between countries.
Voices of the People
The survey gives voice to Pacific Islanders themselves on their views and experiences of corruption in their countries and is both powerful and a credible tool to drive change. Transparency International looks forward to working with our allies in civil society to engage governments and other key stakeholders on the findings, as evidence for the reforms needed at national and higher levels.
“This Pacific Corruption Barometer is a great resource for Pacific nations because it is the voices of their people.” Says Anne Tolley, Chair of Transparency International New Zealand. “There are already good anti-corruption initiatives going on in the region, and we can see how much people value their governments’ efforts. It is also a strong message about the difference that ordinary people bring to the fight against corruption.”
“Leaders across the region now have concrete data from their own citizens. We hope they build on the steps they are already taking and the commitments they have made to transparency and fairness.” adds Tolley.
New Zealand and Australia are not included.
Funding for this survey came from the New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and so the focus was on countries receiving overseas development assistance (ODA).
The Global Corruption Barometer Pacific 2021 is available here.
Release Webinar
Transparency International New Zealand conducted a webinar to discuss the release of the Global Corruption Barometer:
