Exploring Corruption Perceptions and Practices: Sectoral Insights from the Czech Republic

This paper draws upon findings from a unique research project, financed by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (TACR), that examined corruption across six sectors in the Czech Republic: healthcare, education and research, sports, public procurement, debt collection, and the construction sector. The study investigates the determinants of corruption perceptions and experience, sector-specific patterns of corrupt practices, and the challenges of implementing effective anti-corruption strategies, with relevance to broader trends in Central and Eastern Europe. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, integrating a sector-specific survey of insiders with in-depth interviews and stakeholder workshops. The survey included over 1,000 respondents with direct sectoral expertise, complemented by 31 qualitative interviews and sector-specific workshops that refined the analysis and validated the findings. This methodology addressed gaps in traditional approaches that often overlook sectoral specifics, offering a detailed view of both perceived and actual corruption practices. Key findings include the role of social inequalities and weak institutional mechanisms in shaping public perceptions of corruption. In healthcare, for example, informal payments often emerge at the intersection of governance failures and resource shortages, illustrating how systemic conditions drive both corruption and its perception. Furthermore, the findings reveal how unresolved corruption issues can exacerbate democratic backsliding and bolster populist narratives, posing significant challenges to governance in the region. This paper contributes to the workshop’s objectives by addressing the following themes: Perception of Corruption: Examining how socio-economic and institutional factors influence corruption perceptions. Patterns of Corrupt Practices: Identifying commonalities and differences in corruption forms across sectors. Anti-Corruption Strategies: Evaluating systemic barriers to successful strategies and proposing evidence-based reforms tailored to sector-specific risks. The research emphasises the need for targeted anti-corruption measures that move beyond generalised policies. It advocates for strengthening transparency mechanisms, empowering civil society, and addressing structural inequalities to rebuild trust in governance. By offering actionable recommendations tailored to sector-specific risks, this research aims to inform policy design and contribute to more effective governance strategies in Central and Eastern Europe.