Despite strong public demand for fighting corruption, some Ukrainians still consider it acceptable in critical life situations. These findings come from a study conducted by the Think Ukraine analytical center.
Most often, this concerns the health and safety of loved ones.
Research findings
- 28.4% consider a bribe acceptable to receive medical treatment or surgery without waiting in line for themselves or their relatives.
- 14.1% justify a bribe if it could help a relative avoid imprisonment for a crime they did not commit.
- 11.2% are willing to use a bribe to speed up the resolution of an issue that should have been resolved anyway.
- 9.7% consider bribery acceptable to avoid military mobilization.
What this means: most Ukrainians do not see corruption as a normal practice, but many are willing to justify it in situations involving survival, health, or perceived injustice within the system.
What should be taken into account: combating corruption cannot rely on punishment alone. Trust in state institutions and access to basic public services directly influence whether people feel compelled to act “outside the system.”
