This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
Which anti-corruption interventions have demonstrated effectiveness and under which conditions have they succeeded? Which approaches show limited to no impact? How strong is the underlying evidence?
Summary
Empirical testing of effectiveness is still sporadic for most anti-corruption interventions. Recent evidence, however, points to technology solutions, social accountability and budget transparency in reducing levels of corruption, at least under certain conditions. For anti-corruption messaging, sanctions and human resources management, the evidence is more mixed. Audits, codes of conduct and improved access to justice also appear to bear fruit, although available evidence is constrained by the limited number of studies. More investment is required to boost understanding of the effectiveness of anti-corruption interventions.
Contents
- Introduction
- Literature review approach
- Overview of findings
- A review of the literature from 2021 to 2025
- References
Authors
Caitlin Maslen, Jamie Bergin
Reviewers
David Aled Williams (U4)
Date
16/04/2026
