Systemic Corruption in Iraq: An Analysis of Its Causes and a Proposal for a National Anti-Corruption Strategy
Systemic corruption in Iraq constitutes a deeply rooted structural phenomenon, transcending isolated incidents to become an integral component of the country’s political, administrative, and economic systems. This study aims to analyze the dimensions of systemic corruption in Iraq—economic, social, and political—and to identify its typologies and foundational pillars, drawing on credible sources including Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), World Bank reports, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) assessments. Findings indicate that corruption costs Iraq approximately USD 30 billion annually, exacerbates unemployment and poverty, erodes public trust in institutions, and impedes national development. The proliferation of corruption is linked to ineffective oversight mechanisms, non-deterrent legislation, a societal culture tolerant of certain corrupt practices, and an opaque, overly complex administrative structure. Accordingly, the study proposes a comprehensive three-phase national anti-corruption strategy—foundational, activation, and sustainability phases—alongside short-, medium-, and long-term implementation programs encompassing institutional reform, digital transformation, enhancement of internal oversight, anti-corruption culture building, international cooperation, and whistleblower protection. The study emphasizes measurability through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and modern digital tools, positioning it as a practical reference for public-sector decision-makers and oversight institutions—particularly in the financial sector (e.g., public banks), where corruption represents one of the most critical threats to financial stability and administrative integrity.
Keywords: Systemic corruption, Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), institutional reform, digital transparency, financial oversight, administrative integrity, Iraq.
