Systemic Toxic Exposure in a Transitional Economy: Epidemiology and Institutional Gaps in Azerbaijan

Corruption has remained one of the central topics of public debate in Azerbaijan for many years. In recent years, local and international media outlets have widely reported various allegations of corruption and illegal assets involving senior officials, members of their families and former state officials. These reports have not only highlighted the existence of corruption risks, but have also drawn attention to broader systemic governance problems.

In early 2026, Azerbaijan — long regarded as relatively stable in terms of internal security — began to show signs of a deeper and more complex transformation. Despite an overall decline in crime, one category is moving in the opposite direction: drug-related offenses are steadily rising.

The crime profile in Azerbaijan in the first quarter of 2026 indicates a continued decline in the overall number of offenses, despite a gradual shift toward more complex and technology-driven crimes faced by law enforcement agencies, according to data from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and reconstructed estimates based on comparable reports.

In 2025, the total volume of waste in Azerbaijan reached 4,426.4 thousand tons, marking a 1.4% increase compared to the previous year. This indicates not only the expansion of economic activity in the country but also a rise in environmental pressures. Waste management is no longer solely an environmental issue; it has evolved into a complex field requiring economic, technological, and institutional transformation. In particular, serious challenges remain in the management of hazardous waste.