The public remains broadly satisfied with the quality of the services delivered by Georgian national institutions, according to new research released today by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). However, the study also reveals some worrying trends, including rising concerns – both on the part of the general public and among civil servants themselves – about the politicization of decisions and appointments.

The new research consisted of representative surveys of 2,400 citizens each in 2016 and 2019, and self-administered surveys with the participation of 831 civil servants in 2016 and 571 civil servants in 2019. Each time the survey work was supplemented by interviews and focus group discussions.

Public trust in the civil service remains high, at 67 percent, though it has dropped by four percentage points from the 71 percent recorded in 2016. A robust 80 percent of civil servants are proud of their work. Institutional reforms introduced as part of the support to public administration reform provided by UNDP and the UK – performance appraisals, for example – are seen as welcome improvements.

However, confidence in the professionalism and impartiality of the civil service seems to be wavering. The share of respondents to the public survey who agreed that the “civil service employs professionals” fell from 74 percent in 2016 to 58 percent in 2019; and respondents believing that “decisions in state agencies are based on political orders” rose from 34 percent in 2016 to 56 percent in 2019. Meanwhile, among the civil servants surveyed, the share believing that “decisions in public agencies are based on public interests” fell from 67 percent to 59 percent in 2019, and the share of those agreeing that the “civil service employs professionals” fell from 50 percent to 41 percent.

“Impartiality and professionalism are crucial building blocks of civil service reform,” said UNDP Head Louisa Vinton. “Our research shows that Georgia’s public administration reform is delivering admirable results in some areas but falling short in others. This means efforts needed to be redoubled to reverse negative trends and ensure the public administration is sheltered from political pressures.”

“Survey data such as this shows why public administration reform is such an important issue; public trust in the civil service is a vital component of democracy,” said British Ambassador Justin McKenzie Smith. “These findings paint a mostly positive picture, and also help to identify areas for improvement. It is crucial to keep up momentum. The UK, together with other partners, is ready to continue to support Georgia’s efforts to build a strong, professional and impartial civil service”.

The research on public administration reform was commissioned by UNDP with funding from the UK Government and was carried out by the Georgian research agency ACT between April and September 2019. Quantitative data is already available at UNDP website and a full analytical report will be published in December 2019. The earlier study from 2016, Public Perceptions of Georgia’s Civil Service, is also available online.

Media contacts

• Sophie Tchitchinadze, UNDP, +995 599 196907, sophie.tchitchinadze@undp.org
• Ira Sulava, UNDP, +995 599 579105, irine.sulava@undp.org