In recent years, Ukraine has seen a noticeable decline in the level of corruption related to land issues in the agricultural sector. While at the beginning of 2021, 24% of representatives from micro, small, and medium-sized agribusinesses encountered corruption cases, this figure decreased to 14% in 2024.
This is reported by Finway
Land Reform and Digitalization: Key Factors of Change
Research initiated by the National Agency for Prevention of Corruption confirms this positive trend. In 2024, 27.9% of entrepreneurs reported cases of corruption in the construction and land relations sector, compared to 32.5% in 2021.
Among the main reasons for the reduction in corruption risks, experts highlight the implementation of land reform. The cancellation of the moratorium on the alienation of land plots and changes to their intended use, the launch of the land market, the introduction of land auctions, the temporary suspension of free land transfers during martial law, and the digitalization of state services and services in the State Land Cadastre have all played significant roles.
“Land reform has primarily contributed to the reduction of corruption.”
Local Issues and Regional Features
Despite the overall improvement in the situation, the highest corruption risks remain at the local level. Problems most frequently arise during the transfer of land plots into ownership or use. For the fourth consecutive year, rural, settlement, and city councils are considered the most corrupt bodies in this area.
Regionally, the dynamics of corruption cases in land issues for 2024–2025 are as follows:
- South — 13% (decrease of 13%)
- Center — 14% (decrease of 13%)
- West — 14% (decrease of 7%)
- North — 14% (decrease of 10%)
- East — 15% (decrease of 5%)
Thus, despite the overall decrease in the level of corruption, the issue of transparency in land relations at the local level remains relevant for further reform.