MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Corruption costs Bolivian homes 115 million US dollars

“Under the table” or irregular payments to Bolivian bureaucrats are estimated to have reached 115 million US dollars in 2005 according to a report sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development made public in La Paz Sunday.

The report under the name of National Survey on Corruption Costs for Bolivian Homes shows that 13 out of 100 proceedings before government offices by simple citizens demanded a kickback equivalent to an average 21 US dollars.

The survey indicates that an estimated 5.4 million proceedings were subject to some form of "under the table" payment and this had an average cost for Bolivian homes of 50 US dollars annually, which is equivalent to half a monthly minimum salary.

The irregular payments apparently have an annual cost of 115 million US dollars which is equivalent to half the Bolivian budget's deficit; 25% of annual government capital investment; 5% of the overall country's exports and half the remaining debt with the International Monetary Fund.

According to the survey 43% of Bolivians believe "it's impossible" to end with corruption while 50% said the situation had worsened compared to 2004.

A majority, 77% said they were contrary to paying a policeman to avoid a ticket, but 66% admitted having done so when faced with such a situation.

In an "honesty" ranking, ranging from 1 to 10, a majority of Bolivians interviewed admitted they would give themselves 5.9 points, but 54% insisted the "system" makes them commit corrupt actions.

The survey was done during August 2005 interviewing 3.488 homes in the country's nine provinces with a margin error of plus/minus 2.3% and involving 42 government services and offices.