Transparency International (TI) recently unveiled the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 on February 10. Bangladesh’s score of 24 out of 100 places it as the 13th lowest globally, one rank lower than the previous year. Despite a marginal increase of one point from 2024, Bangladesh’s ranking has improved to 150th globally. This shift reflects a mixed perception of the successful July uprising against kleptocracy but also highlights concerns regarding ongoing corrupt practices, governance transparency deficits, and hindered reform progress post-August 5, 2024.
Comparatively, Bangladesh’s score is two points below its average between 2012 and 2025. It also falls significantly below the average scores of authoritarian regimes globally, countries with Closed Civic Space, and the Sub-Saharan African region. Bangladesh retains its position as the second lowest in South Asia, surpassing only Afghanistan. Among the 182 countries assessed, Bangladesh is among the 122 scoring below 50 and the 96 scoring below the global average of 42, indicating a prevalent “very serious corruption problem.”
Globally, the CPI 2025 underscores a worsening trend in corruption levels, with the majority of countries scoring below 50 percent. While some countries have shown improvement, a significant number have experienced score declines. Notably, only a limited number of nations have made substantial progress since 2012, with Bangladesh among those witnessing a notable decline in standing.
In the South Asian region, Bhutan leads with a score of 71, while other neighboring countries trail behind, scoring below the global average. The index highlights that corruption is a growing concern worldwide, impacting democracies and leading to increased restrictions on media and civic engagement. The report emphasizes the need for proactive anti-corruption measures, transparent governance reforms, and robust enforcement mechanisms to combat corruption effectively.
Bangladesh’s governance landscape post-uprising has struggled to maintain integrity and accountability, contributing to sustained corruption levels. The lack of strategic institutional reforms and enforcement actions has hindered progress, aligning with global trends where countries that prioritize anti-corruption efforts have shown improvements. Moving forward, Bangladesh must focus on comprehensive reform agendas and anti-corruption strategies to address systemic challenges and enhance governance transparency and accountability.
In conclusion, the CPI 2025 serves as a reminder that corruption can be mitigated through concerted efforts by governments and leaders to uphold integrity, implement reforms, and prosecute corrupt individuals effectively. Bangladesh, along with other nations, must prioritize anti-corruption measures to combat systemic corruption and promote accountable governance for sustainable development.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director at Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), shared these insights, emphasizing the importance of collective action against corruption and the imperative for transparent and accountable leadership.
