Corruption in the Private Sector: A Legal Perspective in North Macedonia

This research examines corruption in North Macedonia’s private sector through international anti-corruption standards, national legislation analysis, and empirical data. The study evaluates key global frameworks—UNCAC, OECD Convention, Council of Europe and EU instruments, ICC Rules, and ISO 37001—alongside North Macedonia’s legal framework, including the Criminal Code, Law on Prevention of Corruption and Conflict of Interests, Law on Lobbying, and Law on Whistleblowers’ Protection. Empirical findings from the Economic Chamber of North Macedonia’s March 2024 publicly available survey of 138 private enterprises reveal that 53.01% faced corrupt demands in 2023, primarily from central government entities (38.55%), indicating significant governance challenges. Recent incidents in North Macedonia with severe human consequences illustrate corruption’s potential human cost. While North Macedonia’s anti-corruption legislation demonstrates strengths in criminalization and preventive intent, enforcement gaps, inadequate private-to-private corruption coverage, and insufficient whistleblower protections persist. Recommendations include enhanced enforcement mechanisms, mandatory compliance programs, and further alignment with international standards to reduce corruption’s economic and social impact while supporting North Macedonia’s EU accession aspirations.