KEY FINDING
Youth Values and Attitudes towards Integrity
The study examines the values and perceptions of Vietnamese youth regarding integrity, exploring their definitions of right and wrong, views on dishonest behavior, and their understanding of integrity in the context of family loyalty, personal gains, and success The insights gained reveal how young individuals think, act, and engage with their environment and society These findings are crucial for integrity educational programs aimed at not only reshaping their values and beliefs but also empowering them to enact societal change.
A survey reveals that a significant majority of young people possess strong ethical beliefs, with 74% to 98% acknowledging certain behaviors as wrong In contrast, adults appear to hold stricter views on ethical standards.
80% to 99% viewing these behaviours as wrong A positive development is that the average level of youth rejection to the given corrupt behaviours in
2018 (91%) keeps increasing over the years (88% in 2011, 89% in 2014)
Bribes for better grades and demanding sexual favors receive the highest level of rejection from youth
Given corrupt behaviours perceived as wrong: Youth vs Adult (%)
A person uses a position of authority to ask for sexual favours in return for advantages
A student's parent gives an unofficial payment (or a gift) to a teacher to get a good result for his/her child
A person gives an informal payment (or a gift) to a doctor or nurse for better care
A person gives an additional payment (or a gift) to a public official to speed up vehicle registration
A person gives a job in an organisation to a relative who lacks qualifications
A public official requests an additional unofficial payment
A leader does something illegal but it benefits your family
A person does something illegal for his/her family to live better
Perceptions of the concept of integrity
Exploring the youth's understanding of integrity involves presenting them with various hypothetical scenarios They were asked to first evaluate whether they perceive the behavior as wrong and, secondly, to consider if they would accept such behavior.
2 Question B1) The range of corrupt behaviours covers more abstract propositions, such as “a leader does something which might be illegal but it enables
"Your family deserves better living conditions and specific daily life scenarios, including instances where individuals provide extra payments or gifts to healthcare professionals for improved treatment Beyond health, these situations extend to areas like public administration, employment, education, and even sexual favors."
A significant observation from the Youth Integrity Survey (YIS) 2019 is the notable tolerance among youth towards the corrupt practice of giving bribes for better medical treatment, with only 74% rejecting this behavior This figure is lower than the average rejection rate for other corrupt acts, indicating a shift in attitudes since previous years, as rejection rates for this practice have increased from 68% in 2011 and 65% in 2014 In contrast, youth are increasingly rejecting other corrupt behaviors, such as bribing for better grades and engaging in illegal activities for family benefit, highlighting a growing awareness and disapproval of corruption over time.
Percentages of youth who perceive given corrupt behaviours as wrong (%): 2011 -
Give an extra payment to get better medical treatment Give an additional unofficial payment to get better grades
Do something illegal to make family live better wrong, which is noticeably lower than rejection rate from the highest educated (96%) This demonstrates that those with less education seem
WR EH PRUH ÀH[LEOH WR SHWW\ FRUUXSWLRQ SHUWDLQLQJ WR this fundamental public service than those with higher education.
The second part of the question examines youth perceptions of integrity, focusing on their acceptance of corrupt acts they deem wrong Figure 3 illustrates the acceptance levels of corrupt behaviors among both youth and adults Overall, a significant majority from both groups consider these corrupt actions unacceptable However, responses are largely similar across most statements, with notable exceptions regarding nepotism in recruitment and bribery for improved medical treatment.
Recent findings indicate that youth exhibit a significantly higher acceptance of corrupt behaviors compared to adults, with 7% of young individuals and 36% showing tolerance, contrasted with 4% and 26% of adults This suggests that younger generations are not only more open-minded but also more inclined to accept these unethical practices.
Significant differences exist between male and female youths, as well as between urban and rural youths, particularly in their responses to hypothetical situations Notable disparities are observed in self-perceived living standards and education levels Specifically, the attitudes of rural and urban youths, along with those classified as the "worst-off" and "best-off," towards informal payments in the health sector warrant further examination.
Youth from rural areas and the "worst-off" socioeconomic group exhibit a significantly higher rejection of certain behaviors compared to their urban counterparts and those from the "best-off" group Specifically, 77% of rural youths and 78% of the worst-off individuals view this act as wrong, in contrast to 69% of urban youths and 63% of the best-off group.
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Individuals facing greater economic difficulties are often less tolerant of minor corruption, as they are more susceptible to unfair medical treatment, which can have significantly harmful effects on the poor.
Concerning education levels QR VLJQL¿FDQW differences are found across the hypothetical statements except the one regarding bribes for public
VHUYLFHV6SHFL¿FDOO\86% of the lowest educated 4 youth view bribes for the completion of
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The Youth Income Survey (YIS) inquired about respondents' living conditions, revealing a distinction between those who perceive their financial situation as "financially difficult," identified as "worst off," and those who view themselves as living well and comfortably, labeled as "best off."
4 Lowest education refers to those who studied up to the end of primary school, and the highest education are those who have undertaken university education or higher
Percentages of youth and adults who view given corrupt behaviours as acceptable (%)
A person does something illegal for his/her family to live better
A leader does something illegal but it benefits your family
A public official requests an additional unofficial payment
A person gives a job in an organisation to a relative who lacks qualifications
A person gives an additional payment (or a gift) to a public official to speed up vehicle registration
A person gives an informal payment (or a gift) to a doctor or nurse for better care
A student's parent gives an unofficial payment (or a gift) to a teacher to get a good result for his/her child
In rural areas, individuals in positions of authority may solicit sexual favors in exchange for benefits, which can lead to fewer opportunities compared to their urban peers This dynamic helps to explain why rural youth often adopt a more robust stance against corruption in certain public services.
Significant differences in education levels are observed across various statements, except for those concerning bribery for improved grades and expedited processes Notably, the findings reveal that the most educated youth exhibit a compelling trend in these matters.
Higher education levels are associated with an increased willingness to accept bribes for better grades, with 7% of well-educated individuals finding this behavior acceptable compared to just 1% of those with less education Additionally, 26% of the most educated youth view paying bribes directly or through unofficial payments as acceptable.
A recent study highlights that higher education does not necessarily lead to increased resistance to corruption, particularly among the least educated youth This finding aligns with Agerberg (2018), which suggests that in environments where corruption is widespread and policy implementation is compromised by corrupt officials, even highly educated individuals may not develop strong institutional trust Instead, education in such contexts may foster a sense of resignation towards formal institutions.
Youth experiences and behaviours
The Youth Integrity Survey (YIS) seeks to understand young people's perceptions of integrity while also investigating their personal experiences with corruption To gain insights into these experiences, respondents were asked about their encounters with corruption over the past year in six specific scenarios This approach aims to build a comprehensive picture of when and where corruption occurs in the lives of young individuals.
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According to Transparency International (2013), youth are more susceptible to corruption than adults, with 46% of young individuals seeking medical treatment encountering corrupt practices, compared to 35% of adults Additionally, 27% of youth job seekers faced corruption, in contrast to 20% of adult job seekers These findings highlight the critical need for anti-corruption programs specifically aimed at protecting and empowering young people.
Of those in contact with any of the 6 situations described in Figure 18, the percentage of youth who entered into corrupt transactions ranges from
Over 50% of young people surveyed reported encountering corruption when interacting with the police, with findings ranging from 20% for academic pressures to 57% for avoiding legal issues This trend mirrors similar results in other regions, such as Cambodia, where 69% of youth faced corruption to evade police problems (Transparency International Cambodia, 2015) Additionally, young individuals in countries like South Korea and Sri Lanka have also experienced corruption in their dealings with law enforcement (Transparency International, 2014) Such improper and illegal conduct undermines the police's role in maintaining the rule of law.
1) to get a document; 2) to pass an exam; 3) to get health care service; 4) to avoid a problem with the police; 5) to get a job; and 6) to get more business for their enterprise or company
In a recent survey, participants were presented with three options regarding their experiences with corruption: 1) they had encountered corruption, 2) they had not encountered corruption, or 3) they had no contact with the service in the past year Figure 18 illustrates the percentage of both youth and adults who reported experiencing corruption among those who interacted with the agency or service within the 12 months leading up to the survey.
Youth and adult experiences with corruption when in contact with any of the six areas (%)
To pass an exam (or to be accepted in a program) or get higher grade at school
To get more business (market access) for your company/enterprise
To get a document or a permit?
To get better medicine or medical attention for you or your family in a health center
To avoid a problem with the police (like avoiding a fine)
5 Regarding encounters with the police, a follow-up question was asked to identify what type of police respondents were referring to Most of the reported H[SHULHQFHVE\\RXWKDUHUHIHUUHGWRWUDI¿FSROLFHDQGDYHU\VPDOOQXPEHUZLWKRWKHUW\SHVRISROLFHVXFKDVORFDOSROLFHDQGHFRQRPLFSROLFH
46% of youth who had tried to get medical treatment for themselves or for their family and
40% of youth who had tried to obtain a document or permit faced corruption These troubling results
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The prevalence of official documents among citizens is likely to present corruption challenges for young people The health sector, in particular, experiences a high level of corruption, which is not surprising given the extensive coverage of petty corruption in this field across both mainstream and social media.
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Cross comparison of respondents by gender shows that male youth experience corruption
Surprisingly, demographic factors like educational attainments and geographical locations (rural vs urban) KDYHQRWVKRZQDQ\VWDWLVWLFDOO\VLJQL¿FDQW
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Likewise, Figure 20 shows that living standards
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Youth from lower living standards encounter significantly higher levels of corruption in public services, particularly when dealing with the police and healthcare A staggering 73% of the most disadvantaged youths reported experiencing corruption during their interactions with law enforcement in the past year, in stark contrast to only 42% of their more affluent peers Additionally, these youths faced increased corruption when seeking medical care, with 58% reporting issues in obtaining better medicine or medical attention.
A recent study reveals that 63% of economically disadvantaged youth faced corruption when obtaining documents or permits, compared to only 25% of their better-off counterparts This indicates that poorer and more vulnerable youth experience significantly higher levels of corruption in accessing basic public services Notably, these findings contrast sharply with data from 2011, suggesting a shift in the dynamics of corruption that warrants further investigation.
In the 2014 Youth Integrity Survey (YIS) editions, it was found that young individuals with higher living standards were more frequently exposed to corruption compared to their lower living standard counterparts Additionally, the data indicated that males experienced slightly higher exposure to corruption than females across most sectors, with only two exceptions.
A recent survey revealed that 60% of male youths reported experiencing corruption during their police interactions in the past year, compared to 53% of female youths Additionally, the disparity increases when it comes to job acquisition, with 31% of males facing corruption issues compared to 22% of females.
Further research is necessary to explain the differences in corruption between genders, as the simplistic notion that women are inherently less corrupt than men is increasingly criticized for reinforcing gender stereotypes and oversimplifying the complex relationship between gender and corruption.
In the context of traffic incidents, it is noted that women may exhibit greater attentiveness while commuting compared to men This difference could be influenced by cultural factors, as traditional Vietnamese society often views males as the primary drivers.
Youth experiences with corruption by gender (%)
To pass an exam (or to be accepted in a program) or get higher grade at school
To get more business (market access) for your company/enterprise
To get a document or a permit?
To get better medicine or medical attention for you or your family in a health center
To avoid a problem with the police (like avoiding a fine)
Youth experiences of corruption by living standards (%)
To pass an exam (or to be accepted in a program) or get higher grade at school
To get more business (market access) for your company/enterprise
To get better medicine or medical attention for you or your family in a health center
To get a document or a permit?
To avoid a problem with the police (like avoiding a fine)
In comparison with the results of the 2011 and 2014 editions, the levels of corruption experienced by both young people and adults in all surveyed areas are noticeably higher in 2018 (Figure 21)
This increase rings an alarm to the entrenched severity of corruption in public services in Vietnam
It also intersects well the country’s Corruption
Perception Index 6 decline in 2018, in which Vietnam scored 33 points out of 100 in the 2018 CPI, down two points compared to 2017 This result interestingly contradicts the result of the 2018 Vietnam Provincial
Governance and Public Administration Performance
The recent Index (PAPI) report reveals a notable enhancement in the performance of provincial and local governments, as citizens are experiencing a decline in corruption within healthcare and education sectors Additionally, there is an increased satisfaction among the public regarding essential services.
The 2018 PAPI report highlights that the poorest populations remain the most vulnerable to corruption, facing significant hardships These individuals often depend on government services, making them more susceptible to bribery demands in exchange for accessing essential assistance.
To get a document or a permit
To pass an exam (or to be accepted in a program) or get higher grade at school
To get better medicine or medical attention for you or your family in a health center
To avoid a problem with the police (like avoiding a fine)
To get job To get more business (market access) for your company/enterprise
The Corruption Perception Index, published by Transparency International, evaluates 180 countries and territories based on perceived public sector corruption levels as assessed by experts and business professionals The index uses a scoring system ranging from zero to 100, where a score of zero indicates high corruption and a score of 100 signifies a very clean public sector.
Young people were also asked in which pillars of society they perceive levels of integrity to be “very bad”, “bad”, “average”, “good” or “very good” (see
Annex 2 Question B8) Public institutions in Vietnam are not held in high regard and are frequently
Figure 22 focuses on the percentage of youth who rated the integrity of public service institutions as
“BAD” (adding “very bad” and “bad” answers),
Shapers of youth’s integrity
The YIS seeks to explore what sources of information
The influence on youth, particularly those aged 15-30, is shaped by a diverse array of factors, including individuals, friends, family, institutions, schools, mass media, and social media platforms These elements contribute to the formation of their perspectives and understanding of the world, highlighting the importance of the surrounding environment in their developmental journey.
Influences on youth respondents were gathered regarding where they obtain integrity-related information and how it shapes their ethical perspectives This information source is crucial for educational institutions as it aids in identifying effective communication channels.
Sources of information shaping youth views on integrity: 2011-2014-2018 (%)
In 2018, the traditional channels such as radio/
TV family, friends/colleagues continue to be the
Influencers play a crucial role in shaping youth perspectives on integrity; however, there is a concerning decline in the significance of these influences Notably, the roles of family and educational institutions in guiding ethical behavior among young people have decreased, with their importance dropping from 81% and 82%, respectively.
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Social media has become one of the primary influencers in the lives of young people, with 93% of youth using it daily and 97% at least weekly This widespread engagement raises important questions and controversies regarding the impact of social media on adolescent development (Ahn, 2011).
The alarming findings highlight the urgent need for traditional institutions like families and schools to respond effectively Without timely intervention, these institutions risk losing their influence over shaping the ethical perspectives of young people to the Internet and social media.
The survey asked respondents to identify their primary source of information shaping their views on integrity, allowing only one choice The results revealed three prominent channels among youth: TV/Radio, which accounted for 29%, showed a significant increase compared to previous years; Family, cited by 23% of youth, was lower than in 2011 and 2014; and the Internet, chosen by 19%, marked a substantial rise from 3% in 2011 and 12% in 2014, outpacing the adult group.
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The survey sought responses from participants regarding the influence of various actors on their perceptions of integrity Initially, respondents were asked to identify which figures effectively convey messages that promote integrity Following this, the survey explored who young people view as role models or exemplars of integrity, highlighting the importance of these influences in shaping their values.
Actors providing good examples of integrity for youth: Youth in general (%)
Family circle School/university The media Friends/Colleagues Political leaders Business/ economic circle
In terms of role models, as show in Figure 34, in
2018 family and school are still seen as leading actors that provide the best example of integrity for youth (90% and 86% of youth surveyed cited
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Influencers play a significant role in shaping youth perspectives, with 78% of young people identifying them as role models This marks a notable shift from 2011, highlighting the evolving importance of family in guiding youth values and behaviors.
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A similar trend is also observed in the importance of education systems (school/university) in acting
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Young people are significantly influenced by their family and educational environments Enhancing the integrity of both adults and educational institutions is crucial for positively shaping the behavior and ethical values of the youth.
As discussed in Figure 33 above, though Internet
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Integrity is crucial in shaping young minds, and both parents and schools play a vital role in educating them about the impacts of corruption It is essential for these guardians to ensure that young people understand the consequences of unethical behavior and develop a strong moral compass.
Self-confidence and strength are essential for young people to confront challenges Home and school serve as the ideal environments for cultivating integrity through positive role models Integrity starts within the family, where parents should maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption They must discourage their children from offering gifts or bribes to educators, encourage open dialogue, and inspire them to advocate for integrity both in school and in society.
Compared to the previous waves, the 2018 results VKRZDVLJQL¿FDQWGURSLQWKHQXPEHURI\RXWK viewing political leaders, business people, the media and celebrities as role models of integrity
Recent research indicates a significant decline in two key categories, potentially linked to high-profile corruption cases involving senior public officials and business leaders in Vietnam, such as those from MobiFone, AVG, and PetroVietnam In 2017 and 2018, 490 party organizations and 35,000 party members were found to have violated laws, with 1,300 individuals—including ten current or former members of the CPV Central Committee—facing disciplinary actions or prosecution for corruption-related offenses The individuals implicated in these major corruption cases stem from various backgrounds, including local and central government officials, executives, and military leaders This exposure has notably influenced the perception of corruption among the youth in Vietnam, highlighting the moral and ethical challenges faced by government officials and business leaders.
In 2014, over two-thirds of surveyed youth regarded political leaders as role models of integrity, highlighting their significant influence on shaping young people's views on moral values To foster integrity among the youth, it is crucial for these leaders to spearhead national and community initiatives that exemplify ethical behavior and transparency, including public disclosures of their wealth Young individuals require positive role models to guide their understanding of integrity.
The influence of scandals involving business celebrities is increasingly prevalent in mainstream and social media, particularly in Vietnam's entertainment industry These controversies often revolve around issues such as sexual exploitation, jealousy, extramarital affairs, gambling, and moral decay As a result, they significantly shape the perceptions of youth regarding the complexities of show business in Vietnam.
As mentioned in Figure 34, education institutions remain prominent actors both in terms of being an
The influence of integrity and the role of anti-corruption education are crucial in shaping the values of youth Since 2013, mainstream anti-corruption initiatives have been pivotal in fostering a culture of integrity among young individuals.
With an aim to understand more about youth awareness of any type of anti-corruption education and training and whether these programmes have
DQ\LQÀXHQFHRQWKHPLQLQWHJULW\EXLOGLQJLQVRFLHW\ respondents were asked to what level they were