Corruption Along Ethnic Lines: A Study of Individual Corruption Experiences in 17 African Countries

Abstract

While a growing literature relates macro variation in corruption to ethnic divisions, existing studies have paid little attention to the possible existence of systematic micro variation in corruption along ethnic lines. This paper examines whether individual corruption experiences vary systematically depending on ethnic group affiliation and the nature of this possible variation. Empirical findings drawing on data for over 23,000 respondents in 17 African countries indeed suggest that individual corruption experiences vary systematically along ethnic lines. Belonging to influential ethnic groups – in terms of group size or economic/political standing – is associated with a greater probability of having experienced corruption.