Average bribe size in Russia almost doubles in three yearsThe average bribe size in Russia almost doubled from 5,048 rubles (EUR 131) in 2006 to 8,887 rubles (EUR 231) in 2010, the Levada Center said with reference to a poll it conducted on 16-19 April 2010.
Ninety-two percent of Russians registering companies or applying for business permits have had to give bribes in the past three years. The rate was only 19% in 2005, the center said.
Some 65-67% of the respondents had to bribe traffic police officers. A total of 43-45% gave bribes in court (32% in 2005) or in the registration of their driving licenses and the technical examination of vehicles (26% in 2005). A total of 38.5% gave bribes for dropping criminal charges (less than 1% in 2005).
Thirty-three percent bribed government workers issuing them with documents, 30% gave bribes to hospital staff, military registration and enlistment offices and higher educational establishments, 27% gave bribes to school teachers, 20% gave bribes in apartment privatization, 15% in the registration of their residence, and 14.5% in the course of employment.
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