site.btaOver Half of Young People in North Macedonia Have Faced Some Form of Corruption, Study Shows

Some 54% of young people in North Macedonia have encountered some form of corruption, most often in the education sector, according to a study by Analytica Think Tank, North Macedonia's newspaper Vecer reported. 

The survey, conducted among 500 young people aged 16 to 29 from the Skopje, Polog, and Southeastern regions, included high school and university students. Of those surveyed, 51% said they would report corruption if safe and reliable mechanisms existed, which researchers interpret as a sign that young people "want change and are looking for tools to act".

Corruption in education takes various forms, the report says, noting that bribes for higher grades remain a "traditional" practice in higher education. Other cited examples include professors selling their own textbooks and requiring students to buy them.

Young people expressed the least trust in the judicial system, political parties, and public administration. Only 8% believe that institutions genuinely fight corruption, while nearly 70% say corruption undermines their motivation and faith in merit and knowledge. Another 70% believe that corruption is rarely addressed in education.

As part of the project, Analytica Think Tank, together with the Strumica Women’s Organization and the Initiative for Civic Integration from Gostivar, developed a mobile application titled "Voice Against Corruption". The app helps young people recognize and anonymously report cases of corruption, offering practical advice and direct links to the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption and the student ombudsman.