Fully 54% of the respondents said they thought all politicians were corrupt and 84% said corruption should not be tolerated. According to the report, 54% of young people had experienced corruption in some form; 39% of them in health care and 29% during police procedures.

The survey was conducted over the phone in July with a sample of 500 people between the ages of 18 and 29. US Ambassador Colleen Bell said at TI’s event that corruption was not just about a few bad leaders who move money to offshore bank accounts, but it is a problem that breeds instability and violence. Corruption can cause many to lose their faith in the system, she said.

Many young people throughout the world are disappointed with their leaders and feel that their governments had let them down, she added. The ambassador said she believed that a “systematic and rigorous” fight against corruption and the work of “educating people about the importance of transparency and accountability” can change the culture of tolerating corruption.

Anne-Marie Maskay, charge d’affaires ad interim of the French embassy, said the fight against corruption is a key element of strong democratic societies and the rule of law worldwide. It is important to raise awareness of this fight among young people, she added.

Republished with permission of Hungary Matters, MTI’s daily newsletter.