Corruption in agricultural land issues drops to 14% in 2025 – NACP
Some 14% of representatives of micro, small and medium agribusiness in 2025 encountered corruption situations, while at the beginning of 2021 this figure was 24%, according to data from an all-Ukrainian study conducted by the research agency Info Sapiens on behalf of the Agrarian and Rural Development Program, funded by the US Government.
The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) noted that their research also confirms this trend. Thus, according to the business survey, in 2024, some 27.9% of respondents reported corruption experience in the construction and land relations sector, and in 2021, 32.5%.
"The reduction in corruption related to land issues was primarily influenced by the implementation of land reform. This was achieved through the abolition of the moratorium on the transfer of land plots and changes to their intended use, the introduction of a land market and land auctions, the suspension of free land transfers during the war, and the digitization of several state services related to the State Land Cadastre," the NACP emphasized.
At the same time, both studies showed that business representatives most often encountered corruption when deciding to transfer ownership or use of a land plot. Accordingly, for the fourth consecutive year, the bodies responsible for these issues are considered the most corrupt: village, settlement, and city councils.
"Corruption in the land sector is inextricably linked to systemic problems that require systemic solutions. Therefore, to achieve a significant and sustainable anti-corruption effect in this area, we must focus our efforts on implementing deep sectoral reforms. These reforms will include optimizing functions and procedures, automating processes, and increasing transparency. Key initiatives in this area will be included in the draft Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2026-2030," commented Dmytro Kalmykov, the Deputy Chairman of the NACP.
He stated that the politically complex and sensitive problems in the land sector that give rise to corruption must be addressed. To minimize corruption further, the efforts of parliament, the government, businesses, experts, and international partners must be united. Additionally, the NACP believes that systematic and balanced communication is critically important, especially regarding politically complex issues.