Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Poll Finds Americans See Widespread Government Corruption, Unlike Wealthy Nations
A poll says many Americans think corruption in government is common.
Corruption means people in power may act unfairly or use their position wrongly.
The article compares the United States with other wealthy countries.
In most of those countries, fewer people now say their governments are corrupt.
In 2009, the middle result among OECD countries was 69%.
Since 2022, that figure has been below 60%.
The article says Americans are moving in the opposite direction.
It does not explain why these opinions differ.
A vast majority of Americans reportedly view government corruption as widespread.
The United States is described as moving toward greater concern about corruption.
Across the OECD, the median share viewing governments as corrupt fell from 69% in 2009.
That OECD median has remained below 60% since 2022.
The article says American perceptions are trending opposite to those in most wealthy countries.
- Who
- Americans and people surveyed across OECD member countries.
- What
- A poll found widespread concern about government corruption in the United States, while perceptions improved across most wealthy countries.
- When
- The comparison covers 2009 and the period since 2022; the poll's specific date is not stated.
- Where
- The United States and the 38 developed countries in the OECD.
- Why
- The article does not state why perceptions of government corruption differ.
- United States finding
- A vast majority of Americans reportedly say government corruption is widespread.
- Comparison group
- The OECD is described as a group of 38 developed nations.
- OECD median in 2009
- 69% of people viewed their government as corrupt.
- OECD median since 2022
- The share has been under 60%.
- Trend in most wealthy countries
- Perceptions of government corruption have generally improved.
- Trend in the United States
- The article describes American perceptions as moving in the opposite direction.