Survey: Mexicans paid $2.58 billion in bribes last year

Apr. 16, 2008 04:54 PM

Associated Press

MEXICO CITY - Mexicans spent a whopping $2.58 billion in bribes in 2007, some 42 percent more than they doled out just two years ago, according to a poll released Wednesday.

The survey, conducted by the nonprofit group Transparency Mexico, showed that 197 million bribes were paid nationwide in 2007 - compared to 115 million in 2005.

That's almost two for every living Mexican, given the country's population of about 105 million. Bribes ate up about 8 percent of family incomes here in 2007, the study said.

"It has become a habit here in Mexico, and that makes me angry," 30-year-old law student Sarahi Sanchez said. "It hurts, because Mexico is more than just its government. Mexico is not all about corruption. Mexico has art and culture and beauty."

The poll found that while more people are giving out bribes, the average bribe was smaller: about $13, compared to $17 in 2005.

Smaller bribes include those shelled out to avoid traffic tickets or pay off informal "parking attendants," private citizens who block off sections of public streets and force drivers to "tip" them for giving them a space. The attendants, in turn, pay police for the right to operate.