Corruption in Land Issues of Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector Continues to Decrease

According to research findings, the level of corruption in land issues within Ukraine’s agricultural sector significantly decreased in 2024. At the beginning of 2021, 24% of representatives from micro, small, and medium-sized agribusinesses experienced corrupt situations, while in 2024 this figure dropped to 14%.

This is reported by AgroReview

Impact of Land Reform and Digitalization

A series of reforms and innovations have contributed to positive dynamics in the fight against corruption. In particular, the lifting of the moratorium on the alienation of land plots and changes to their intended use, the launch of the land market, and the conduct of land auctions have been key factors in these changes. The suspension of the free transfer of land during the state of war also played an important role, as did the implementation of electronic services in the operations of the State Land Cadastre.

Studies commissioned by the National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption indicate a reduction in the level of corruption in the construction and land relations sectors: in 2024, 27.9% of business representatives reported such experiences, compared to 32.5% in 2021.

“Land reform has primarily contributed to the reduction of corruption.”

Local Level Issues and Regional Dynamics

Despite the overall improvement in the situation, the highest corruption risks remain at the local level. Problems most often arise during the transfer of land plots into ownership or use. For the fourth consecutive year, local self-government bodies, including village, settlement, and city councils, are considered the most corrupt.

Data on macro-regions for 2024-2025 indicate the following corruption risk levels:

• South — 13% (a decrease of 13%)
• Center — 14% (a decrease of 13%)
• West — 14% (a decrease of 7%)
• North — 14% (a decrease of 10%)
• East — 15% (a decrease of 5%)

Thus, the overall trend demonstrates a decrease in the level of corruption in land issues within the agricultural sector, although local problems remain relevant.