Fact check: Is it true that Bulgaria is corrupt?

1. Summary of the results

The evidence strongly indicates that corruption is a significant issue in Bulgaria, supported by multiple independent sources and metrics:

• Bulgaria ranks 76th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index with a score of 43 points ^[1]
• The country has the second-lowest ranking among EU members and has dropped two places compared to the previous year ^[1]
• An estimated 22% of Bulgaria's GDP is lost to corruption annually ^[2]
• 80% of Bulgarian citizens perceive corruption as widespread in their country ^[3]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks important context about the specific nature and systemic aspects of corruption in Bulgaria:

*Structural Issues:

Bulgaria suffers from "state capture," where wealthy oligarchs exercise disproportionate influence over political and economic governance ^[4]

• Specific corruption manifestations include:
• Illegal land use
• Manipulation of EU funds
• Judicial intimidation
• Systematic economic control by a small group of powerful individuals ^[3]

*Public Response:

The country has experienced significant anti-corruption protests, including the 2020-2021 demonstrations that led to the fall of a 12-year ruling government ^[2]

• There is deep skepticism about government efforts to combat corruption ^[5]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question oversimplifies a complex issue:

• The term "corrupt" needs specific context and metrics to be meaningful
• Multiple reputable organizations contribute to this assessment, including the World Bank and World Economic Forum ^[1]
• The corruption perception data comes from 13 independent sources ^[1]

*Who benefits from these narratives:

The oligarchic system benefits from downplaying corruption concerns, as they profit from the current system of state capture

• Anti-corruption activists and opposition parties benefit from highlighting corruption issues
• EU oversight bodies benefit from maintaining pressure on Bulgaria to implement reforms
• International investors might use corruption metrics to justify investment decisions or negotiate better terms