How Corruption Hurts

Accepting bribes, granting favors, skimming off the top—such practices in business and government may be unethical, but do they actually hurt people? A recent study in Social Psychological and Personality Science examined citizens’ self-reported well-being and experts’ perceptions of corruption in 150 countries over half a decade. The evidence suggests that corruption weighs on the average person, in part by damaging national income and reducing faith in institutions. The effect of corruption on people’s satisfaction appeared even more pronounced in Western societies than elsewhere. Citizens of non-Western countries may have lower expectations that they will be treated equally under the law, according to lead author Louis Tay, a professor of psychology at Purdue University. The study also found that in corrupt countries, income may hold more sway over a person’s happiness; the easier it is to bribe people in power, the more favor you can curry with cash.

How Corrupt Is Your Government?

Afghanistan: #1 • Russia: #43 • India: #77 • China: #97 • Brazil: #102 • Rwanda: #127 • U.S.A.: #158 • Denmark: #176

Source: Transparency International. Based on ratings of public sector from Corruption Perceptions Index 2013.