# International Youth Day: What do young people in Asia think about corruption? URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/news/international-youth-day-what-do-young-people-in-asia-think-about-corruption Type: News Published: 2015-08-12 Updated: 2019-11-19 --- 12 August 2015 Today, 12 August, is International Youth Day, and we’re reflecting on the opportunities and challenges that young people face around the world. For too many, corruption remains a daily curse – from extortion at the hands of officials, often in schools and universities, to frustration when bribes are demanded for job opportunities. Home to 60 per cent of the world’s youth, the Asia Pacific region is no exception. Last year we reported on [the integrity crisis](http://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/publication/asia_pacific_youth_integrity_in_crisis) facing young people in the region. Now, our specially trained youth volunteers have gone out onto the streets in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan and Vietnam to find out just what young people there are doing in the face of corruption. You can look at all the data from the different countries here: [Bangladesh](http://www.ti-bangladesh.org/beta3/index.php/en/activities/4656-bangladeshi-youths-are-highly-moral-finds-a-tib-study-7), [Cambodia](http://ticambodia.org/index.php/whatwedo/highlight/youth-integrity-survey), [Pakistan](http://transparency.org.pk/documents/yip_report15.pdf) and [Vietnam](http://towardstransparency.vn/vietnam-youth-integrity-survey-2014). Here are five things we learnt from our Asia Pacific Youth Integrity Surveys: #### 1. Young people are picking integrity over corruption A massive 99 per cent of young people in **Cambodia** think corruption is blocking development. More than 80 per cent in **Pakistan** agree. Young people are upholding ethical values – in **Bangladesh** and **Vietnam** more than 90 per cent said honesty was more important than wealth. ![Survey in action in Pakistan. Copyright: Transparency International Pakistan](/images/uploads/feature/YIS-Pakistan-3.jpg "Survey in action in Pakistan. Copyright: Transparency International Pakistan") #### 2. But in reality, it can be hard to live up to ideals Despite their desire to behave with integrity, many young people still felt it was necessary to break the rules to get ahead. In **Bangladesh**, almost half said they would compromise their values to get a dream job, while in **Cambodia**, 59 per cent admitted they would pay a kickback of 10-20 per cent of their future salary to get a secure job. In **Vietnam**, 41 per cent were willing to lie for the sake of family income or loyalty to family and friends. “We suffer due to weak development, education and health systems. We need change.” Attendee, Youth Leadership Seminar, Pakistan #### 3. The police are the worst offenders, say young people in Cambodia A huge 69 per cent of **Cambodians** said they had faced corruption when dealing with the police. They weren’t alone – around a third of young people in **Bangladesh** and **Pakistan** had also paid bribes to police officers. ![Youth taking a survey in Vietnam](/images/uploads/feature/2015_VietnamYIS_662.jpg "Youth taking our survey in Vietnam. Image: Towards Transparency") #### 4. Politicians aren’t fighting corruption because they’re benefiting from it, according to two-thirds of young people in Pakistan Almost two-thirds of young people in **Pakistan** said there was no political will to fight corruption because politicians benefit from it. In **Bangladesh**, 86 per cent of young people have a negative impression about integrity in politics. #### 5. But there’s hope for the future – young people are ready to take action Despite the challenges, 9 in 10 young **Cambodians** believe youth can play a role in fighting corruption and two-thirds would be willing to report it. Others agreed – 82 per cent in **Bangladesh** saying they’d blow the whistle on corruption while 80 per cent in **Vietnam** say they are ready to raise awareness about corruption in their communities. The desire and energy for change is high. “Despite living in a highly corrupt country, optimism and idealism are breaking through. This generation is eager to challenge barriers and participate in the development of their country.” Kol Preap, Executive Director, Transparency International Cambodia **Transparency International’s Youth Anti-Corruption Kit** Inside [this toolkit](http://issuu.com/transparencyinternational/docs/2014_anticorruptionkit_youth__en?e=2496456/8912943) are 15 ideas to get young activists started fighting corruption. Find out how to follow the money and check that public funds are well spent; count the textbooks in your schools to make sure no one is selling them off on the side; learn how to start your own anti-corruption group and mobilise your community to say no to corruption. There’s also a guide on how to monitor elections so people can’t stuff ballots and rig the results! ### Resources - View the national survey findings from [Bangladesh](http://www.ti-bangladesh.org/beta3/index.php/en/activities/4656-bangladeshi-youths-are-highly-moral-finds-a-tib-study-7), [Cambodia](http://ticambodia.org/index.php/whatwedo/highlight/youth-integrity-survey), [Pakistan](http://transparency.org.pk/documents/yip_report15.pdf) and [Vietnam](http://towardstransparency.vn/vietnam-youth-integrity-survey-2014) - [Anti-corruption kit: 15 ideas for young activists](http://www.transparency.org/whatwedo/publication/anti_corruption_kit_15_ideas_for_young_activists) ## Countries - [Bangladesh](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/bangladesh) - [Cambodia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/cambodia) - [Pakistan](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/pakistan) - [Vietnam](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/vietnam) For any press inquiries please contact ### You might also like... ## [Strong anti-corruption and transparency in governance reform: The key to lasting change](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/strong-anti-corruption-transparency-on-governance-reform-key-to-lasting-change) News • 18 July 2025 As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to review the conditions of financial support, Transparency International urges for anti-corruption efforts to be fully embedded. ## [CPI 2023: Corruption and (in)justice](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2023-corruption-and-injustice) News • 30 January 2024 The global decline in justice and the rule of law is enabling impunity for corruption around the world. ## [Clearing the smokescreen: The deadly consequences of undue influence](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/tobacco-smokescreen-deadly-consequences-of-undue-influence) News • 13 March 2020 New investigations reveal back-room deals and secretive campaigns involving the tobacco industry are far from being a thing of the past. ## [CPI 2019: Trouble at the top](https://www.transparency.org/en/news/cpi-2019-trouble-at-the-top) News • 23 January 2020 Top scoring countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) like Denmark, Switzerland and Iceland are not immune to corruption. 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