Researchers from the University Institute of Tourism and Sustainable Development (TIDES) of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have developed an estimation method for the social cost of corruption through the analysis of its impact on the quality of life of citizens. In Spain, this social cost is estimated at approximately 40 billion euros per year, according to this study.
By applying the new methodology in the Spanish context, the results demonstrate that "national corruption is much higher than that reflected by official statistics and in the International Transparency Index", specifically 40 billion euros per year (constant 2008 prices).
These results have been published in recognized international journals with a great impact in the area of developing measurement methods in Social Sciences (Social IndicatorsResearch) and in applied economics (Applied Ecomomics).
In the study, the researchers Carmelo J. León, Jorge E. Araña and Javier de León, develop an estimation method that allows reducing the problems of subjectivity in the perception of corruption when using surveys of experts or citizens, as is the case with the International Transparency Index.
"Extremely complicated" to prosecute corruption
The researchers emphasize that corruption is one of the "problems that most worries Spanish citizens", but acknowledge that "detecting and prosecuting corruption is an extremely complicated task, among other reasons, due to the difficulty of its measurement". In this sense, they explain that the existing measurements of the level of corruption focus solely on the "direct" impact from cases that come to light and are resolved judicially.
However, the cost of corruption for a society includes other aspects that these statistics do not measure, but that the ULPGC researchers include in this study, such as the impact on the reduction of foreign investment, the cases that are not detected or cannot be proven judicially, or the discouragement in the population that stops undertaking personal and professional projects for fear that corruption will stop them.