The press release was prepared by Anton Hrushetskyi, executive director of KIIS

From September 30 to October 13, 2023, the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS) conducted an all-Ukrainian public opinion survey "Omnibus", which included questions about top problems (except war) and who should make efforts to fight corruption. Bythemethodofcomputer-assistedtelephoneinterviews(CATI) based on a random sample of mobile phone numbers (with random generation of phone numbers and subsequent statistical weighting), 2,007 respondents living in all regions of Ukraine (except the AR of Crimea) were interviewed. The survey was conducted with adult (aged 18 and older) citizens of Ukraine who, at the time of the survey, lived on the territory of Ukraine (within the boundaries controlled by the authorities of Ukraine until February 24, 2022). Residents of temporarily occupied territories could not be included in the sample, and the survey was not conducted with citizens abroad.

Formally, under normal circumstances, the statistical error of such a sample (with a probability of 0.95 and taking into account the design effect of 1.1) did not exceed 2.4% for indicators close to 50%, 2.1% for indicators close to 25%, 1.5% - for indicators close to 10%, 1.1% - for indicators close to 5%.

Under conditions of war, in addition to the specified formal error, a certain systematic deviation is added. However, despite certain factors that may affect the quality of the results in "wartime" conditions, in general, we believe that the obtained results still retain a high degree of representativeness and allow a fairly reliable analysis of the public mood of the population.

The war is certainly the biggest problem of Ukraine and Ukrainians. However, if you ask what problems outside of the war most concern Ukrainians, 63% of the list mentions corruption. The second top problem is low salaries and pensions. Other important issues are high utility rates, demographic risks and unemployment.

Graph 1. And what problems, apart from the war, bother you the most? Choose up to 3 answers from the list.

 In all regions, the most respondents talk about corruption and low salaries / pensions.

Table 1. Top problems in the regional dimension

The majority of respondents - 54% - claim that the main task of fighting corruption is the new anti-corruption bodies created after 2014. At the same time, quite a few respondents also talk about the President / Office of the President (43%) and conventionally "old" law enforcement agencies, such as the police, SBU, prosecutor's office.

Graph2. Recently, high-profile corruption scandals involving various officials have been regularly discussed in the mass media. Who, in your opinion, should first of all make efforts to fight corruption in Ukraine? Choose up to 3 answers.

In all regions, most respondents expect proactive activity from the new anti-corruption infrastructure. And also in all regions, the top 3 of those from whom actions are expected include the President / Office of the President and conditionally "old" law enforcement agencies.

Table 2. Top problems in the regional dimension

A. Hrushetskyi, comments on the survey results:

As we have repeatedly pointed out, corruption remains a powerful trigger for Ukrainians and, in addition to Victory, Ukrainians want an effective fight against corruption. The results of this survey prove once again the attention that the population pays to corruption. It is notable that issues of personal well-being (such as pensions/salaries, unemployment or tariffs) concern the population less than injustice due to corruption. It should be added that according to the results of a survey conducted by KIIS for the Consultative Mission of the European Union, 68% of Ukrainians believe that in order to achieve justice it is necessary to pay a bribe.

It is also important to understand from whom the population primarily expects actions to overcome corruption. We see bodies from the new anti-corruption infrastructure, although at the same time, according to the results of the KIIS survey for the Consultative Mission of the European Union, NABU is currently trusted by 31% (44% do not trust it). In general, with regard to anti-corruption bodies, 33% believe that they are capable of fighting corruption, and 56% believe that they are incapable. At the same time, trust in the Security Service of Ukraine (59% trust and 26% do not trust) and the police (56% trust and 37% do not trust) is now better..

In any case, the public expects active actions of the authorities at various levels to overcome corruption. We would like to remind you that currently 59% of Ukrainians are inclined to the opinion that there are attempts to fight corruption and there are positive changes, so we should not talk about the hopelessness of the situation and doom. Ukrainians see the light at the end of the tunnel, therefore coordinated teamwork of the authorities and the public is important for positive changes.

Annex 1. Formulation of questions from the questionnaire

And what problems, apart from the war, bother you the most? Choose up to 3 answers from the list. RANDOMIZATION OF READING

Recently, high-profile corruption scandals involving various officials have been regularly discussed in the mass media. Who, in your opinion, should first of all make efforts to fight corruption in Ukraine? Choose up to 3 answers. DIFFERENT ORDER OF READING OPTIONS