In 2024, almost half of the cases where a person was convicted of bribery involved gross crimes. The year before, the proportion was only 14 percent.
Bribery offenses are most common in the transport and vehicle sector, which accounted for a third of the total number of convictions last year. Often, it involves bribery attempts in connection with vehicle inspections and driving tests for driver's licenses.
In nearly a third of the convictions, it involves friendship corruption, "where everything from former colleagues to hunting companions are favored," according to IMM. Bribes occur in both relationships between public and private actors and between private actors.
"Closed groups with strong friendship ties make people more vulnerable and can create loyalties with other group members, which increases the risk of bribery and other corruption," says Parul Sharma, Secretary-General of IMM, in a press release.
Last year, a total of 34 bribery convictions were handed down in Sweden, which is unchanged compared to 2023. During the year, 58 charges of bribery were brought, which is a return to normal levels compared to 2023, which was a record year for charges.
