Rating Group, together with partners from the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) and the OSCE, conducted an expert survey “Corruption in Ukraine 2025: expert views and assessments.” The study is part of the project “Support to the development of effective tools for preventing corruption and strengthening anti-corruption compliance in Ukraine,” implemented by the OSCE Support Programme for Ukraine in cooperation with the NACP.

A total of 369 experts were surveyed:‍

• ‍“Theorists” – analysts, independent experts/activists, NGO representatives, media, representatives of international organizations, academics
• ‍“Practitioners” – representatives of anti-corruption bodies, the judiciary, the Verkhovna Rada/parliamentary oversight, ministries and other central executive authorities, regional state administrations, regional councils, and the Kyiv City Council

General assessments

• Corruption, especially political corruption, is seen as a serious challenge for Ukraine, although experts are generally optimistic about overcoming it.
• Political corruption is considered the most critical issue: 87% of experts assess it as a serious problem. Corruption in business is rated as such by 76%, while everyday corruption – by 43%.
• About two-thirds of experts (65%) believe corruption in Ukraine is widespread. The corruption perception index stands at 3.9 out of 5 and has not changed compared to 2023.
• 41% of experts see no change in the level of corruption over the past year, 33% say it has increased, and 21% say it has decreased.
• Expectations are generally optimistic: more than half of experts (53%) expect corruption levels to decline in the future, while 30% predict an increase.

Most and least corrupt sectors

Experts identify the most corrupt sectors (on a 1–5 scale, where “1” means no corruption and “5” means “very widespread”):

• customs (4.4)
• construction and infrastructure (4.3)
• security and defense (4.2)

The lowest levels of corruption, according to experts, are observed in foreign relations, digitalization, and statistics.

Assessment of anti-corruption policy

The effectiveness of state anti-corruption policy is assessed with caution.

Most often (45%), experts say that anti-corruption policy in Ukraine is sometimes effective and sometimes not. Another 28% consider it effective, while 23% say it is ineffective.

The overall effectiveness score is 3.1 out of 5 (compared to 3.0 in 2023). This is an average score based on a 5-point scale, where 1 means “completely ineffective” and 5 means “very effective.”

Anti-corruption policy priorities

Experts consider the following directions most effective for reducing corruption:

• automation of public services and business regulation (51%)
• ensuring inevitability of punishment (49%)
• judicial reform (37%)
• fostering zero tolerance for corruption, promoting integrity and respect for the rule of law (36%)

Assessment of anti-corruption institutions

Most experts consider the activities of National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine, Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, High Anti-Corruption Court, and the National Agency on Corruption Prevention effective and largely independent.

These institutions remain leaders by average effectiveness score (1 = “completely ineffective,” 5 = “very effective”):

• NABU (3.8)
• SAPO (3.8)
• High Anti-Corruption Court (3.6)
• NACP (3.5)

More than half of experts rate these bodies as effective and consider them mostly independent. At the same time, other state institutions, particularly law enforcement agencies, receive significantly lower ratings.

Who is responsible for combating corruption?

Experts most often assign responsibility for combating corruption to the following institutions (up to three could be selected):

• NABU (45%)
• NACP (39%)
• Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine (34%)
• Office of the President of Ukraine (30%)

Compared to 2023, the perceived role of anti-corruption bodies has slightly increased, while the role of the President and the Presidential Office has decreased (from 43% to 30%).

‍

Rating Group is one of the largest research institutions in Ukraine, operating since 2008. The company is registered in Ukraine and has extensive experience conducting sociological research both domestically and internationally. The group includes: Sociological Group “Rating,” the research laboratory Rating Lab, the platform Rating Online, and the Rating Call Center.