All companies which participated in a survey consider corruption to be widespread in Cyprus, according to the Eurobarometer on corruption, which measures the perceptions of the business sector, while at the same time 68% of the businesses consider corruption to be a problem in carrying out business activities.

According to a press release issued by Transparency International – Cyprus, the Eurobarometer was published on December 8 and contained a sample of 302 Cypriot enterprises.

The Eurobarometer indicates that 100% of companies asked consider corruption to be widespread in Cyprus, while the European average was 67%. At the same time, 92% believes the relationship between politicians and enterprises is too close, while the European average was 50%.

Furthermore, 68% believe corruption is a problem in carrying out business activities, while the European average was 37%, and 38% believe the did not gain a public tender due to corruption, compared to the 31% European average.

Also, 93% of businesses believe corruption is part of business culture.

The Eurobarometer contained 1,001 personal interviews in Cyprus, with 50% of the participants believing that corruption affects them personally.

More specifically, 21% believe it is acceptable to give a gift to a public officer in return for service, while 78% believe it is not acceptable to do so. Furthermore, 77% believe corruption is worse in the health sector, 65% in political parties, 56% in the Police, 56% in town planning, and 88% in local authorities.

Also, 30% believe there is adequate transparency, up 21% since 2013, and 90% believe bribery and kickbacks are the easiest way to receive service in the public sector.

Furthermore, 82% believe corruption and nepotism hinder competitiveness, 36% that there are adequate convictions for corruption, 77% that high-ranking officials are not pursued for corruption, 57% that the measures taken to fight corruption are inadequate, and 32% that the measures are implemented without discrimination.

Lastly, 56% say that they know where to report corruption cases, but 51% said they would not do so because they are not protected.