Corruption Perceptions and Public Administration Images in Hungarian Young Generation

Abstract

Aim: This study examines how Hungarian Generation Z interprets different forms of corruption and how these perceptions are associated with both normative and spontaneous images of public administration. Special attention is given to differences between clearly illegal practices and more ambiguous, informal or relational “grey-zone” cases, as well as to how perceptions of value-oriented public administration relate to these interpretations and the perceived attractiveness of public sector careers.

Methodology: The empirical analysis was conducted on a nationally representative sample (N = 1,008) using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) in early 2025. Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS statistical software. The study relies on descriptive statistical methods, with particular attention to response distributions within the question block measuring perceptions of corruption. The interpretation of corruption-related scenarios follows typologies widely used in the international literature, including transactional, structural, relational, and informal forms of corruption.

Findings: The results indicate a high level of consensus among Generation Z respondents regarding classical, transactional forms of corruption, while perceptions of relational advantages, conflicts of interest, and informal practices are considerably more divided. This “grey-zone” evaluation reflects normative uncertainty rather than the absence of ethical standards, pointing instead to the learnability and malleability of integrity norms. The study concludes that public sector recruitment strategies and integrity-based communication should place greater emphasis on clearly framing these ambiguous practices in order to present public service as a credible and value-driven career option for Generation Z.

Value: The novelty of the study lies in conceptualizing perceptions of corruption not as isolated moral judgments but as a key dimension of Generation Z’s work-related and public service value system. The findings demonstrate that attitudes toward corruption are closely linked to perceptions of integrity, fairness, and normative consistency in public administration, which may directly influence the perceived attractiveness of a public sector career.