Factors Driving Individual Perceptions of Quotidian Corruption: Evidence from Kazakhstan

Abstract

The article analyzes the factors that impact corruption perception at individual levels. Based on a survey of 12,010 Kazakhstanis, the study investigates people’s assessment of corruption in Kazakhstan and their attitudes toward government anticorruption policy. The result reveals that, on average, the population perceives that a high rate of corruption exists in Kazakhstan. Simultaneously, the regression analysis shows that there are three main determinants that affect people’s perception of corruption. First, and most saliently, regional and cultural backgrounds do have an impact on people’s perception of corruption levels. In addition, the study results reveal that among the participants’ demographic and social qualifiers, the education level has considerable influence in driving perceptions. Finally, the findings point out that actual experience with corruption play a significant role in forming views regarding the overall level of corruption in the country.

Keywords:

• Anticorruption policy
• corruption
• factors
• Kazakhstan
• perception

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank Dimitar Gueorguiev, Associate Professor, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Syracuse University, for his pieces of advice and recommendations for developing the article.

Correction Statement

This article has been corrected with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.