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To properly assess anti-corruption interventions, we need to be able to measure changes in countries’ corruption levels over time – not just reputation or perception.

UNODC’s statistical framework to measure corruption provides a comprehensive set of indicators on corruption and anti-corruption. States can use it to track progress against the recommendations and requirements of the UNCAC.

Precious few countries provide the necessary data on corruption and bribery. Furthermore, Sustainable Development Goal 16.5 is too vague and the indicators are too narrow. However, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has developed materials to help countries collect and report data on bribery incidence.

There has been a surge of corruption indicators and methodologies in the past decade, and the Vienna Principles now provide a welcome underpinning to those developing or using these metrics.

Policymakers need to decode which types of corruption raise public concern and where intervention is urgent. The DATACORR database of 3,000+ survey questions can help develop innovative, appropriate techniques for mapping corruption.

Citizens’ survey responses can be unreliable and influenced by perceived expectations. Researchers must understand this behaviour, clearly set the context, and define key terms to improve corruption measurement.

Our analysis of 45 surveys – across six indicators of quality – leads to six important recommendations for survey quality.

The UCI is the first index of qualitatively distinct types of corruption across regions, using structured surveys of country experts.