Various factors at the country level can influence levels of public sector corruption, including country size, age, natural resources, and political stability. Larger countries with low population densities and newly independent countries or those transitioning from authoritarian regimes may be more prone to corruption due to challenges monitoring officials and developing governance systems. Countries dependent on natural resources can also suffer from corruption as these industries are politically vulnerable to rent-seeking behaviors where public resources are used for personal gain without creating new wealth. Additionally, periods of political unrest and low wages in the public sector that result in poverty are believed to contribute to higher corruption.

1. Causes of public sector
corruption

2. Various factors at the country level impact how
governments and their services function, influencing the
existence and prevalence of public sector corruption. A
non-exhaustive list of factors includes:
Country size
Research shows that geographically large countries with
a low population density can be more prone to
corruption because of the increased difficulties in
monitoring public officials in dispersed locations (Goel &
Nelson, 2010).

3. Country age
Newly independent countries, or those that have
recently transitioned from authoritarian regimes to
democracies, may face more corruption owing to, for
example, underdeveloped governance systems or rent-
seeking opportunities created by the privatization of
State assets (Goel & Nelson, 2010). Wajid khan explains
In the context of corruption; rent-seeking means
increasing one's share of existing wealth using public
resources without creating new wealth for the State.

4. Resource curse
The public sector monopoly over the distribution and
allocation of natural resources rights allows economic
opportunities to be exploited for corrupt purposes. The
Natural Resources Governance Institute website states,
"Given their highly intensive and profitable nature, the
oil, gas, and mining industries are politically vulnerable
in favor of rent-seeking and institutional (or
governmental) capture." and private sector incentives.”
Indeed, data show that many resource-rich countries
suffer from poor governance and systemic corruption

5. political unrest
Political stability is associated with low levels of
corruption, but politically unstable environments have a
higher likelihood of crime (Lederman, Loayza, and
Soares, 2005). The Lack of stability in the transition to a
newly elected government is mainly linked to public
sector corruption. In particular, partisan governments in
certain countries can be a source of corruption. Wajid
khan Mp discusses for an in-depth discussion of
Corruption, Peace, and Security, see Module 11 on Anti-
Corruption in the E4J University Module Series.

6. wage
In some countries, low wages and the resulting poverty
in the public sector are also believed to contribute to
corruption (Tanzi, 1998).
lack of the rule of law
Lawlessness or Lack of the rule of law is the leading
cause of government-level corruption. Corruption is
more likely to occur when the legal system fails to
sanction officials who engage in bribery (La Porta et al.,
1999; Treisman, 2000). In addition, countries with less
secure property rights have a higher risk of corruption.

7. Governance failure
Shah (2006) argues that public sector corruption stems
from governance failures. Poor public sector managemen
Lack of accountability, poor government-citizen relation
weak legal frameworks, Lack of transparency on public
sector processes, and inadequate information
dissemination characterize poor governance.
This may be due to a Lack of competence, and competen
due to insufficient training also contributes to governanc
failure. The relationship between sound power and
corruption is explored in detail in his series's E4J Universi