ISTAT survey on corruption: main lessons

• In Event: The symbiotic correlation between crime and corruption: a statistical perspective.

Abstract

Petty corruption is a phenomenon that tends to remain underreported and, unlike grand corruption, appears to lack a direct or structural connection to criminal networks. While the link between grand corruption and reported offences such as criminal association and money laundering is well established, petty corruption calls for a different analytical approach. The Italian Citizens’ Safety Survey (Sicurezza dei Cittadini) includes a dedicated module on petty corruption, aiming to capture the prevalence of such episodes beyond what is reflected in official data and to shed light on the dynamics that characterize them. In addition, public attitudes and levels of tolerance toward petty corruption among those not directly affected contribute to a broader understanding of the social and cultural dimensions underpinning everyday corrupt practices.

Author

• Annalisa Di Benedetto, Italian National Statistical Institute