Map of corruption in Lithuania

According to the data from the 'Map of Corruption in Lithuania 2023–2024' study initiated by the Special Investigation Service (STT), residents are less likely to encounter situations where they would be asked for bribes.

Presentation of the study data

Over the past decade, the number of people admitting to giving bribes has dropped from 24% to 9%. However, corruption remains a significant issue in Lithuania, with healthcare institutions, the Parliament (Seimas), courts, municipalities, political parties, and politicians perceived as the most corrupt institutions. In recent years, there has been a growing trend of business leaders acknowledging their responsibility for the anti-corruption environment. In 2023, 67% of business leaders felt they were responsible for the prevalence of corruption, compared to 44% in 2021.

"Based on the latest data from the 'Map of Corruption' study initiated by STT, bribery incidents are becoming rarer in Lithuania. However, corruption remains a pressing societal issue. Healthcare institutions, the Parliament, courts, municipalities, and political parties are perceived as the most corrupt. Additionally, for the third consecutive year, the energy sector's corruption ratings have worsened. The main anti-corruption challenge continues to be the public's low willingness to report corruption offenses" states Linas Pernavas, Director of the STT.

Corruption Remains a Pressing Issue in Lithuania

In the latest survey, 37% of residents cited corruption as a very serious concern, placing it 5^th among 19 assessed problems (up from 34% in 2022). Among business leaders, corruption ranked 9^th, with 24% considering it a very serious problem (unchanged from 2022), while for civil servants, it ranked 7^th at 28% (down from 32% in 2022). One in five respondents believed that corruption had decreased over the past year (20%), while one in four thought it had increased.

Residents, business leaders, and civil servants named healthcare institutions, the Parliament, courts, municipalities, and political parties as the most corrupt institutions. At the municipal level, respondents assessed public procurement departments or commissions, construction departments, land registry offices, business licensing and permit departments, and architecture or urban planning units as the most corrupt.

Nepotism, favoritism of political party members, passing of laws benefiting specific groups, and abuse of authority were cited as the most pressing forms of corruption. Compared to previous years, all these forms of corruption were perceived as more prevalent, with 10% increase of abuse of authority perception. More than half of business leaders (56%) highlighted decision-making delays as one of the most acute concern.

Worsening Public Perception of Corruption in the Energy Sector

For the third consecutive year, the public's assessment of the Ministry of Energy and its subordinate institutions has worsened, with the Ministry now being perceived as the most corrupt. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, along with their subordinate institutions, were also identified as highly corrupt.

Bribery Is Steadily Declining

Over the long term, residents are encountering fewer situations involving bribery demands. In recent years, 9% of residents admitted to giving bribes (compared to 10% in 2022, 12% in 2018, and 24% in 2014). Those aged under 35 were much less likely to pay a bribe (3%). Those aged under 35 were much less likely to pay a bribe (3%). Over the past year, only 1% of civil servants admitted to giving a bribe. Meanwhile, among business leaders, bribery experiences have remained stable since 2014, with 5% admitting to giving bribes in the last 12 months.

The highest bribery risks remain in the healthcare sector, although rates have consistently decreased. Respondents most often encountered bribery demands in regional hospitals and clinics (12%) and city and district hospitals (9%), typically in connection with surgical procedures.

Bribery risks were also noted in mandatory vehicle technical inspection centers, where 8% of respondents reported encountering bribery demands.

Respondents Perceive Inequality in Stakeholder Involvement in Decision-Making Processes

Regarding decision-making in Lithuania, 42% of residents, 31% of business leaders, and 24% of civil servants described it as closed or completely closed. The proportion of civil servants evaluating decision-making as open has decreased for the second consecutive year, declining to 15% in 2023 (from 20% in 2022 and 31% in 2021).

Civil servants and business executives rank the energy, pharmaceutical, and construction sectors as the areas where stakeholders most frequently concentrate their efforts to influence decision-making. The most common forms of influence remained unchanged: leveraging personal connections, informal meetings, and promises of financial rewards for favorable decisions.

Public Commitment to Take Action against Corruption Remains Weak

Respondents primarily held civil servants, law enforcement officers, judges, and politicians responsible for the prevalence of corruption. Over the past year, fewer residents believed that they or their immediate environment were responsible for corruption in Lithuania. In 2023, 42% of residents took responsibility for corruption (down from 48% in 2022), and 43% held their close environment accountable (down from 49%).

Business leaders increasingly acknowledged their responsibility for the anti-corruption environment. In 2023, 67% believed they were responsible for corruption in Lithuania, compared to 63% in 2022 and 44% in 2021.

Respondents remain reluctant to report corruption. While 55% of residents trust the Special Investigation Service and 58% know where to report corruption, only 13% said they would do so. Among business leaders, 71% know where to report corruption, but only 26% are willing to report it. Civil servants showed a higher anti-corruption potential, with 71% knowing where to report corruption and 50% saying they would do so.

The main reasons for not reporting corruption remain lack of confidence that people will be convicted and fear of being victimised if reported. These beliefs have grown stronger in the last year, especially among civil servants. Civil servants perceive a risk of facing workplace pressure (78%) or the possibility of job loss (64%) as a potential consequence of reporting corruption.