Integrity frameworks can be better implemented

While OECD countries’ regulations on anti-corruption and integrity are becoming more comprehensive and sophisticated, their scope sometimes remains limited and their implementation is weak. Lobbying regulations are particularly underdeveloped, or non-existent, in many countries, and regulations on corruption risk management and audit are the least implemented. While more countries are adopting strategies to curb corruption, they still mainly focus on actions to promote integrity in the public sector, not the private sector, and fail to adapt to newer integrity risks.

On average across OECD countries, anti-corruption and public integrity frameworks have a significant implementation gap of 17 percentage points. This gap represents the difference between the average share of standard regulations in place and the average of standard regulations implemented in practice. It is only by implementing regulations in practice that corruption risks are mitigated and integrity upheld. Strong legislation which is not implemented in practice can also lead to a sense of impunity and lower trust.

Read more: OECD Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook.