Anti‑Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026: Ukraine
Table of contents
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine’s Parliament, adopted a comprehensive Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2021-2025 on 20 June 2022, followed by the adoption of the State Anti-Corruption Programme 2023-2025 by the Cabinet of Ministers on 4 March 2023. The Strategy sets out priorities to strengthen the system for preventing corruption across seven key areas—justice and law enforcement, state regulation of the economy, taxation and customs, the state-owned and private sectors, construction, land and infrastructure, the defence sector, and health care, education, science, and social protection—and to ensure accountability for corruption offences. It also introduces measures to improve transparency and efficiency in public procurement and emphasises the importance of fostering a negative attitude to corruption practices.
The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) is responsible for developing and coordinating anti-corruption policy, ensuring the prevention of corruption in the public sector and in areas where the private sector interacts with the state, monitoring lobbying activities and conflicts of interest, and promoting transparency and the protection of whistleblowers. Alongside the Central Election Commission, the NACP also monitors the financing of political parties and election campaigns.
While there is no dedicated supervisory body for access to information requests, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada (Ombudsman) conducts activities, including training, to improve access to public information. The Ministry of Digital Transformation is responsible for open data policy.
Lobbying activities are regulated by the Law No. 3606-IX on Lobbying. The Transparency Register is accessible online. The National Agency is responsible for enforcing compliance and verifying the accuracy of information submitted to the Transparency Register.
The High Council of Justice (HCJ) provides recommendations to the President of Ukraine on the appointment of judges following a merit-based selection procedure. Prosecutors are also generally selected through merit-based procedures, but appointments to managerial positions lack clearly defined merit criteria. The disciplinary system for civil servants is established in the law and defines applicable procedures and offences. The National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service (NAUCS) provides guidance on the implementation of disciplinary procedures.
Note: 2025 and 2020 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 7 March 2026).
Data on where Ukraine’s integrity system is strongest and could be most improved can be found at the link below:
Note: 2025 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 7 March 2026).
As measured against OECD standards on strategic framework, Ukraine fulfils 73% of criteria for regulations, and 80% of the criteria for implementation, whereas OECD countries fulfil on average 38% of criteria for regulation and 32% for implementation.
Ukraine’s strategic framework for anti-corruption and public integrity is among the top performers compared with OECD countries. This reflects a deliberate choice to implement a comprehensive and coordinated strategy in response to significant corruption risks and their potential impact on economic stability, public confidence, and investment, further exacerbated by the challenges and pressures of the ongoing war and the process of reconstruction. The approach is designed to address systemic challenges, respond to societal expectations for transparency and reform, and support the country’s aspirations for European Union integration and OECD accession. The Anti-Corruption Strategy for 2021-2025 includes a situation analysis of current public integrity risks and references to international legal instruments on anti-corruption. Implementation of the Strategy is supported by the State Anti-Corruption Programme, adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers on 4 March 2023 and covering the period 2023-2025. This action plan draws on multiple data sources, identifies lead organisations for each activity, and includes outcome-level indicators with target values.
Implementation of the current action plan is monitored through a publicly accessible data portal that is updated quarterly. This portal contains all measures from Appendix 2 of the State Anti-Corruption Programme for 2023-2025, along with the information on their implementation status.
Note: 2025 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 7 March 2026).
As measured against OECD standards on lobbying, Ukraine fulfils 80% of criteria for regulations, and 89% of the criteria for implementation, whereas OECD countries fulfil on average 43% of criteria for regulation and 38% for implementation.
Ukraine’s Law No. 3606-IX on Lobbying entered into effect in September 2025. The Law establishes a framework to ensure transparency in lobbying and influence over the legislative process by defining lobbying activities, identifying the relevant actors, and setting out their rights and obligations. The Code of Ethical Conduct for Lobbying Entities sets out the ethical standards for the conduct of lobbying entities in accordance with the Law No. 3606-IX on Lobbying. In particular, the Code regulates the interaction of lobbying entities with lobbying clients, beneficiaries, and other lobbying entities.
The Law introduces a one-year cooling-off period during which former public officials are prohibited from engaging in lobbying activities. It also defines sanctions for breaches of lobbying standards and designates the National Agency on Corruption Prevention as the authority responsible for state oversight of lobbying practices. However, while the Law No. 3606-IX on Lobbying establishes a one-year cooling-off period for former public officials, it does not introduce an equivalent restrictions for lobbyists. The National Agency is in charge of enforcing compliance, verification of the accuracy of information submitted to the Transparency Register, and examining reports from registered lobbying entities. The Transparency Register discloses information about lobbying entities, lobbying activities, legislation and regulation targeted, and budget and expenses.
Note: 2025 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 7 March 2026).
As measured against OECD standards on conflict of interest, Ukraine fulfils 100% of criteria for regulations, and 67% of the criteria for implementation, whereas OECD countries fulfil on average 80% of criteria for regulation and 45% for implementation.
Ukraine’s Law No.1700-VII on the Prevention of Corruption establishes obligations for all elected and appointed officials, judges, and civil servants to submit asset and interest declarations upon entry into public office, following any renewal or change in position, in case of changes to declared information, and at regular intervals. All ministers and members of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament of Ukraine) have submitted their asset and interest declarations over the past six years. As of 2022, the submission rate among high-ranking judges was 97%, although more recent monitoring data are not available. The declarations cover a comprehensive range of financial and non-financial assets and interests of declarants and their family members.
The National Agency on Corruption Prevention oversees a risk-based approach for verifying declarations, issues recommendations on the resolution of conflicts of interest, and has imposed sanctions in several cases.
Note: 2025 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 7 March 2026).
As measured against OECD standards on political finance, Ukraine fulfils 100% of criteria for regulations, and 71% of the criteria for implementation, whereas OECD countries fulfil on average 76% of criteria for regulation and 58% for implementation.
In Ukraine, Law No.2365-III on Political Parties and the Election Code of Ukraine ban anonymous donations, contributions from foreign states and enterprises, and contributions from state-owned enterprises. The legislation also establishes ceilings on personal contributions to electoral campaigns and requires parties to submit annual and electoral financial reports. In practice, during the past five years only one party represented in Parliament prior to 2022 did not submit its financial report. All other parties represented in Parliament submitted their annual and electoral financial reports within the statutory deadlines. The National Agency on Corruption Prevention publishes these reports on a publicly accessible platform and is authorised to impose sanctions on parties that do not comply with political finance regulations.
Note: 2025 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 7 March 2026).
As measured against OECD standards on public information, Ukraine fulfils 89% of criteria for regulations, and 62% of the criteria for implementation, whereas OECD countries fulfil on average 72% of criteria for regulation and 62% for implementation.
Ukraine has a generally comprehensive framework on transparency of public information, including the right to access information for non-citizens and appeal to a court against decisions, actions or inactions of state authorities and public officials, including on access to information requests. Under the Law of Ukraine on Access to Public Information, information must be provided in the requested format, and applicants are not required to justify their requests. The requested information is not always provided free of charge, as additional costs may apply when printing or copying exceeds the established limit. The Ombudsman oversees public authorities’ compliance, monitors websites, inspects institutions, and processes complaints. The Ombudsman also has quasi-prosecutorial powers to submit protocols for sanctions to courts. Law No.2939-VI on Access to Public Information and Law No.776/97-VR on the Commissioner for Human Rights provide appeal mechanisms through higher authorities or the courts.. In addition, under the Law on the Human Rights Commissioner of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Commissioner’s decisions cannot be quashed by any executive body.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation manages open data policy. Ukraine proactively publishes consolidated laws, public procurement data, business registry information, and interest and asset declarations. While the transparency register contains some aggregated data on lobbying by type of lobbyists and registration status it does not contain aggregated data on e.g. lobbyists’ areas of activity by members of Government and Parliament. Similarly, no aggregated data exist on information requests, or individual ministerial agendas.
Note: 2025 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 7 March 2026).
Ukraine fulfils 97% of criteria on judicial integrity regulations and 92% for practice, compared to the OECD average of 66% and 45%, respectively. This reflects the country’s strong resolve to rebuild confidence in a judiciary fractured by high-level corruption and to implement international guidance on integrity safeguards.
Law 1402-VIII on the Judiciary and Status of Judges establishes merit-based, objective procedures for the selection and promotion of judges, led by the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ), and sets out objective grounds for dismissal. Court presidents are elected by judges within their court, but there are no defined criteria for selecting electoral candidates. Upon successful selection, the President of Ukraine appoints judges indefinitely based on recommendations from the High Council of Justice (HCJ), which is chaired by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and composed of twenty one fixed-term members, including ten incumbent or retired judges elected by their peers. All HCJ members undergo ethics and integrity assessments by the non-partisan Ethics Council.
The Code of Judicial Ethics defines ethical standards for judges. Law No.1700-VII on the Prevention of Corruption sets rules for managing conflicts of interest and incompatibilities, and all judges must submit annual interest and asset declarations, which are verified by the National Agency on Corruption Prevention.
Mechanisms for reporting judicial misconduct are governed by Law No.1700-VII on the Prevention of Corruption, which provides whistleblower protections and internal reporting channels. Ukraine operates a Unified Whistleblower Reporting Portal for internal and external reporting, linking 11,148 organisations, including all courts. However, staff handling whistleblower reports in courts do not undergo mandatory training on confidentiality.
Candidates for judicial positions at the HACC must meet general requirements for Ukrainian judges and have relevant anticorruption experience. The law excludes those who recently worked in certain anticorruption bodies, held political roles, were politically affiliated, or appear in the corruption offenders’ registry. Judges are appointed by the President of Ukraine upon proposals from the High Council of Justice (HCJ) through an open competition. Transfers and secondments are prohibited. Candidates submit standard judicial documents, proof of special qualifications, and a statement confirming no disqualifying circumstances. The selection procedure is led by the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) assisted by the Public Council of International Experts (PCIE). Selection includes enhanced integrity checks by HQCJ and the PCIE to assess compliance with integrity criteria, such as morality, honesty and incorruptibility. The integrity checks include financial controls and lifestyle checks, and ongoing monitoring after appointment. All HQCJ and PCIE assessments, interviews, and decisions are video and audio recorded to ensure transparency.
Dismissals and disciplinary procedures follow the general regime of Law 1402-VIII on the Judiciary and Status of Judges.
Note: 2025 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 9 March 2026).
Ukraine fulfils 69% of criteria on prosecutorial integrity regulations and 79% for practice, compared to the OECD average of 66% and 52%, respectively. This reflects the recent reform trajectory aimed at addressing persistent integrity challenges and aligning with international standards, yet effective implementation is still to be determined.
Under Law 1697-VII on Prosecution Service, the selection of prosecutors is merit-based, including vacancy announcements, standardised exams and interviews. However, this procedure does not apply for selecting managerial-level prosecutors. The Prosecutor General is appointed by the President of Ukraine with the consent of the Verkhovna Rada (Parliament), without any defined criteria for the selection of candidates. The head and prosecutors of the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) undergo a separate procedure that additionally requires a public integrity screening.
The law specifies grounds for dismissing ordinary prosecutors, with decisions made by the High Council of Justice or the relevant disciplinary body. Disciplinary proceedings are conducted by the Qualification and Disciplinary Commission of Prosecutors, consisting of eleven members, five of whom are prosecutors. The Prosecutor General may be dismissed by the President based on proposals from the same bodies upon parliamentary consent, or through a vote of no confidence in the Verkhovna Rada.
Prosecutorial standards of conduct are set out in the Code of Ethics and Conduct. Prosecutors are also subject to Law No.1700-VII on the Prevention of Corruption which regulates conflicts of interest and requires the submission of interest asset declarations. Persons reporting prosecutorial misconduct are protected under Law No.1700-VII on the Prevention of Corruption. Similarly to courts, prosecutorial bodies are connected to Unified Whistleblower Reporting Portal.
The Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) is a separate legal entity under public law. It oversees investigations and prosecutes corruption cases investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). The Head of SAPO is a Deputy Prosecutor General directly subordinated to the Prosecutor General. As a general integrity and independence safeguard, the Prosecutor General does not have the right to give instructions to SAPO prosecutors regarding the exercise of their duties.
SAPO prosecutors are appointed by the Head of SAPO based on the results of an open competition conducted by a competition commission. The selection is based on the assessment of candidates’ merits, experience, skills, and integrity based on pre-defined criteria. Overall, decisions of the Competition Commission are subject to judicial review. Once appointed, SAPO prosecutors cannot be transferred without their consent.
The Head of SAPO is selected through a competitive process that evaluates integrity, including independence, honesty, impartiality, incorruptibility, and ethical conduct. The competition commission responsible for the selection of all SAPO administrative positions includes three international experts who hold decisive voting power to prevent deadlocks. The final appointment decision lies with the Prosecutor General, who also decides on the dismissal of the Head of SAPO. The law establishes the grounds for dismissal.
Note: 2025 data or latest year available.
Source: OECD Public Integrity Indicators Database (data extracted on 7 March 2026).
Ukraine fulfils 92% of criteria for regulations and 33% for practice, compared to the OECD average of 66% and 22%, respectively.
The Law on Civil Service outlines the disciplinary procedure for civil servants, defining disciplinary offences, sanctions proportional to the severity of the offence and applicable statutes of limitations. Civil servants can appeal sanctions in court, and if a disciplinary investigation reveals signs of a criminal or administrative offence, officials responsible for investigating and adjudicating disciplinary cases must notify the relevant law enforcement agency.
In practice, Ukraine lacks an electronic case management system for disciplinary cases and proceedings. The National Agency of Ukraine for Civil Service (NAUCS) issues guidance on disciplinary procedures and collects and publishes data on disciplinary enforcement, but information is provided in a format that cannot be easily searched, filtered, or reused, thus limiting data accessibility and analysis.
This work is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of the OECD. The opinions expressed and arguments employed herein do not necessarily reflect the official views of the Member countries of the OECD.
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Kosovo: This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244/99 and the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice on Kosovo’s declaration of independence.
The full book is available in English: OECD (2026), Anti-Corruption and Integrity Outlook 2026: Harnessing the Integrity Advantage, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/16708b78-en.
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