# Global Corruption Barometer: European Union 2021 URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/gcb-european-union-2021 Type: Publication or report Published: 2021-06-15 Updated: 2021-06-15 --- 15 June 2021 European Union countries are known for being wealthy, stable and democratic. However, their clean image is undermined by issues ranging from socioeconomic disparities and erosion of the rule of law to corruption problems. Corruption, especially, affects every country in the political bloc, and the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening matters. In some countries, people in power are using the crisis as an excuse to undermine democracy. In others, they see it as a chance to make a profit. The *[Global Corruption Barometer – European Union 2021](http://transparency.org/gcb/eu)* shows that people in all 27 EU states are well aware of these issues and want their leaders to act with more integrity. Conducted between October and December 2020, the GCB is one of the largest, most detailed surveys of citizens’ views on and experiences of corruption in the 27 EU countries. ### Related publications ## [Regional Assessment of Integrity in Political Finance in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/integrity-political-finance-asia) Publication • 03 September 2026 This report reviews systems across 17 countries to identify the areas of political finance most in need of reform. ## [Whistleblowing Authorities in Europe: Roles, challenges and lessons learned](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/whistleblowing-authorities-in-europe-roles-challenges-and-lessons-learned) Publication • 19 June 2026 This report examines the institutional design, mandates and functioning of national whistleblowing authorities across Europe. ## [Strengthening Public Oversight: Good practices for partnerships between civil society and supreme audit institutions](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/strengthening-public-oversight-good-practices-for-partnerships-between-civil-society-and-supreme-audit-institutions) Publication • 29 May 2026 Stronger collaboration between Supreme Audit Institutions and Civil Society Organisations is needed for better public financial oversight. ## [Closing the Gaps: Detecting and investigating corrupt money flows in the Middle East and North Africa](https://www.transparency.org/en/publications/closing-the-gaps-middle-east-and-north-africa) Publication • 13 May 2026 Corruption and illicit financial flows remain serious and ongoing challenges across the Middle East and North Africa. ## GCB - [European Union](https://www.transparency.org/en/gcb/eu/european-union-2021) ## Countries - [Cyprus](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/cyprus) - [Bulgaria](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/bulgaria) - [Slovenia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/slovenia) - [Romania](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/romania) - [Croatia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/croatia) - [Portugal](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/portugal) - [Hungary](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/hungary) - [Poland](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/poland) - [Netherlands](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/netherlands) - [Italy](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/italy) - [Spain](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/spain) - [Sweden](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/sweden) - [Austria](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/austria) - [Czech Republic](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/czech-republic) - [France](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/france) - [Greece](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/greece) - [Malta](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/malta) - [Belgium](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/belgium) - [Denmark](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/denmark) - [Germany](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/germany) - [Ireland](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/ireland) - [Lithuania](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/lithuania) - [Latvia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/latvia) - [Luxembourg](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/luxembourg) - [Slovakia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/slovakia) - [Estonia](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/estonia) - [Finland](https://www.transparency.org/en/countries/finland) ## Regions - [European Union](https://www.transparency.org/en/region/european-union) ![](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/GCB-EU-2021_2021-06-10-125339.JPG?auto=compress&fit=crop&fm=webp&w=1200) [Download](https://images.transparencycdn.org/images/TI_GCB_EU_2021_web.pdf)