Judicial Reform and Its Socio-Economic Impact: Individual Perceptions in 2025 -The Case of Albania
Abstract:
This study examines the socio-economic impact of corruption and judicial reform in Albania, with a focus on public perceptions in 2025. The research has three main objectives: first, to evaluate institutional trust, social inclusion, and perceptions of justice; second, to assess the perceived economic consequences of judicial reform, including corruption in public administration, employment opportunities, financial security, and market competition; and third, to analyze differences in these perceptions across four respondent groups: citizens, public administration employees, legal professionals, and academic or civil society experts. Primary data were collected through a structured Likert-scale questionnaire in collaboration with the Albanian Institute of Statistics (INSTAT), surveying 225 participants from diverse institutional and social background (Jebb et al., 2021). The social dimension addressed trust in institutions, perceptions of justice, and community belonging, while the economic dimension examined the effects of corruption on income, employment prospects, financial security, and labor market dynamics. Findings reveal that judicial reforms have achieved some institutional improvements; however, persistent corruption continues to undermine public trust and economic stability. Perceptions of reform impact vary significantly among social groups, indicating unequal benefits. Based on these results, the study proposes targeted policy measures to enhance transparency, strengthen accountability, and foster inclusive socio-economic development. By addressing a gap in individual-level perceptions of judicial reform, this research provides empirical insights into the interplay between governance, justice, and socio-economic outcomes in transitional economies.
Keyword:
Corruption, Judicial Reform, Socio-Economic Impact, Public Perception, Institutional Trust, Economic Inequality, Likert Scale.