In a startling revelation from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), the average bribe paid by Mexican citizens to public authorities has been identified. The findings were disclosed during the presentation of the results from the National Survey of Government Quality and Impact (ENCIG) 2023, shedding light on the pervasive issue of corruption within the country.
So how much does it take to bribe a public official in Mexico? According to INEGI, the average victim of corruption by a public official paid an average bribe of $3,468 pesos in 2023.
According to the ENCIG 2023, the most common instances of corruption were encountered during processes related to the opening of companies, ranking second only to interactions with public security authorities. A significant 83.1% of individuals aged 18 and over believe corruption to be a frequent occurrence, with 14.0% claiming to have experienced it firsthand while engaging in various administrative procedures or when in contact with a public servant.
Public security authorities were cited as the sector with the highest rate of corruption incidents, with 59.4% of reported cases. Meanwhile, the business sector was not far behind, with 27.5% of individuals experiencing corrupt practices when attempting to open a new company. This marks an increase from 21.9% in 2021, highlighting a growing concern in the business community.
Other areas of public administration plagued by corruption include property-related permits, standing at 23.5%, procedures before the public ministry or state prosecutor’s office at 21.2%, and municipal procedures, which accounted for 18.0% of corruption experiences in 2023.
The total cost attributed to corruption, covering payments, procedures, or requests for public services, soared to 11,910.6 million pesos. This translates to an average cost of 3,468 pesos per affected individual, representing a significant burden on the Mexican populace. This figure shows an increase from the 2,681 pesos reported in 2021, although it is slightly lower than the 3,679 pesos recorded in 2019.
INEGI’s report also highlighted specific costs incurred due to corruption, such as in the vehicle ownership or taxation sectors, where the corruption cost spiked to 1,403 pesos in 2023 from 711 pesos in 2021. This data underlines the financial impact of corruption on ordinary citizens, extending beyond the sphere of public services and affecting everyday life.
The ENCIG 2023 results underscore the urgent need for reform and accountability within Mexico’s public sectors to tackle the widespread issue of corruption, which continues to hinder both social and economic development across the nation.
In a startling revelation from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), the average bribe paid by Mexican citizens to public authorities has been identified. The findings were disclosed during the presentation of the results from the National Survey of Government Quality and Impact (ENCIG) 2023, shedding light on the pervasive issue of corruption within the country.
