The perception of corruption in the economy in Europe is worst in Slovenia, immediately followed by Croatia, which is significantly higher than the European average, the latest survey by Ernst & Young shows.
Responding to a question whether corruption and bribery was usual practice in business, 96% of respondents in Slovenia answered yes.
In Croatia, 90% of managers confirmed that this practice was usual. Asked the same of bribes to obtain business contracts, 40% of Croatian respondents again answered in the affirmative.
Corruption is least spread in Switzerland and only 10% of respondents perceive bribery and corruption to be common in that country. The European average is 39%.
The survey also asked if managers ever presented better financial results than actually achieved. In Slovenia, 66% said they did, and 58% of Croatian managers admitted the same.
The survey was conducted between November and December 2012 on a sample of 3,000 members of management boards, supervisory committees, CEOs and associates in 36 countries.
Overall, the analysis indicates that 57% of respondents said that corruption was a widespread phenomenon in their countries while 26% said that in order to conclude a contract it was necessary to give a bribe.
