Corruption in Bhutan is changing its face. It is moving away from explicit monetary exchanges to more subtle, relational forms and is increasingly expressed through gratifications. As per the latest National Integrity Assessment Report, gifts are the most common form of gratification offered to public officials today. While many see it as a gesture of thanking, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says such acts raise questions of ethics and public accountability. The Commission warns that gratitude today can become expectation tomorrow, quietly influencing the next decision.
When people think of corruption, they often picture an envelope stuffed with cash. But that is not always the case. As per the ACC’s report, corruption is often woven into social norms, so familiar that it goes unrecognised or unreported. And their frequency is increasing.
The National Integrity Assessment Report 2025 states that for other forms of gratification, the average frequency increased from 2.68 in 2022 to 3.33 last year.
The Assessment defines gratification broadly and includes gifts, accommodation, transportation, loans, employment, contracts, services, or any other undue advantage offered to influence a public official in the exercise of his or her duties.
Gifts accounted for nearly 69 per cent of all reported forms of gratification provided to public officials. Transportation followed at around 16 per cent, accommodation at nine. A small number of respondents reported lending money without interest. None reported offering holiday trips.
The timing tells its own story. More than half of these benefits were offered only after the service had been delivered. On the surface, a simple thank you. But the report warns that such acts can create a sense of obligation or an expectation of favourable treatment in future dealings with the same official. Over time, this can blur professional boundaries and weaken public confidence in the fairness and impartiality of public services.
Not all of it comes afterwards. Around 17 per cent of these benefits were offered before a service, and 15 per cent during, suggesting attempts to influence decisions or speed up official processes.
According to the report, people who admitted offering gratification cited several reasons. Some wanted to express gratitude, while others hoped to receive faster services, better treatment, or favourable decisions.
On one hand, Bhutan continues to record one of the lowest levels of experienced corruption. On the other hand, what’s more concerning is what hides inside the clean record: gifts, hospitality, and favours exchanged through personal relationships.
According to the ACC, preventing corruption is not only about prosecuting offences but also about building a culture where both citizens and public servants understand that even well-intentioned gifts can compromise integrity or create the appearance of bias.
Overall, the report states that the prevalence of reported corruption declined slightly in some areas; however, the intensity, frequency, and financial size of payments have increased. This, as per the report, is an indication that corruption is also becoming more concentrated and of higher value rather than broadly dispersed. As such, there is a need for more targeted, risk-based interventions.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Sonam Wangdi
