In a stark indictment of governance failures, Bangladesh has plummeted to the 13th lowest spot in Transparency International’s 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, scoring just 24 points out of 100. This drop from last year’s ranking highlights deepening challenges in a nation reeling from political turmoil.
Compared to the 2012-2025 average, the score is two points lower, positioning Bangladesh as South Asia’s second-most corrupt country after Afghanistan. It joins a troubling cohort of 96 nations under the worldwide average of 42, amid 122 scoring below 50.
The Daily Star in Dhaka reports that while a one-point uptick nods to the power of last July’s student-led revolution against kleptocratic rule, real change remains elusive. The interim regime promised sweeping reforms but delivered little: no clear plans, no risk assessments, and weak enforcement against entrenched interests.
Corruption festers in political and bureaucratic spheres, with accusations of opaque governance flying thick. The ACC, meant to be a bulwark, languishes without meaningful upgrades to its autonomy or efficacy.
Meanwhile, peer nations have surged ahead by digitizing services, reforming institutions, and jailing top corrupt officials. The global CPI warns of deteriorating integrity worldwide, yet proves progress possible through leadership committed to accountability.
Bangladesh’s path forward demands a bold anti-corruption agenda: prosecute the powerful, safeguard watchdogs, and institutionalize transparency. Without it, the cycle of plunder – now fueled by vengeful opportunism – will only deepen public disillusionment.