Context
From petty bribes and kickbacks to stealing public money, corruption is a major issue for development. It harms the poor and vulnerable the most. It makes things more expensive and harder to access, such as healthcare, education, social programs, and even justice. It creates more inequality and reduces private sector investment at the expense of markets, fewer jobs, and weaker economies. Over time, corruption can undermine the trust and confidence that citizens have for their leaders and institutions, which causes social friction and, in some contexts, increases the risk of fragility, conflict, and violence.
