The people most concerned about rising corruption in the country are not ordinary citizens. They are public officials. National Integrity Assessment 2025 shows that those working inside government are the most likely to believe corruption has increased over the past five years, despite relatively low levels of direct experience among citizens.
40 per cent of respondents believe corruption has increased over the past five years, the highest level recorded since the National Integrity Assessment was first conducted in 2009.
The survey found that 45 per cent of public officials believe corruption has increased. This is higher than any other group surveyed.
By comparison, 36 per cent of parliamentarians, 33 per cent of external respondents and 26 per cent of voters share the same view.
The report says this concern is driven by conditions within the system itself. Officials point to weak internal checks, gaps in oversight, and delays or inconsistencies in audit follow-up. Some also highlight weak whistleblower protection, which they say discourages reporting of wrongdoing.
The report also raises concerns of pressure within institutions. This includes receiving unfair instructions from superiors and a reluctance among staff to speak out, often due to fear of negative consequences. Many also believe that favouritism and personal connections continue to influence decisions in some public offices.
It also finds that even within the civil service, some officials are uncertain about how effective existing anti-corruption systems are. The report says there is a need for stronger oversight, improved internal governance, and clearer communication across institutions to strengthen public trust.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
