Bangladesh scores higher, yet slips to 13th on global corruption index: TIB

Bangladesh has ranked 13th among the world's most corrupt countries in 2025, from 14th position in 2024, according to Transparency International Bangladesh. 

TIB released the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 today (10 February) at the Midas Center in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, with the findings being presented by TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman. 

The index is based on data covering the period from November 2022 to September 2025.

According to the CPI, perceived levels of public-sector corruption are measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where 0 indicates the highest level of perceived corruption and 100 the lowest.

In 2025, Bangladesh scored 24 out of 100, one point more than in 2024, and ranked one step higher, counting from the top. However, the score is the 13th lowest in the world, counted from below, one step lower than 2024.

"It shows a lost opportunity – positive perception of the fall of kleptocracy, but negative assessment due to reform setbacks, sustained corrupt practices, deficits in transparent and accountable governance," TIB said.

Expressing concern over the overall situation, Iftekharuzzaman said, "We are losing control of corruption. Our score is very disappointing."

Bangladesh remains the second lowest among eight South Asian countries and the fourth lowest among 32 countries of the Asia-Pacific region, TIB said.

The country remains in the lowest quintile – 150 among 180 –  which places it among countries that are "losing control of corruption," according to the graft watchdog.

In the 2016-2025 period, Bangladesh lost two points on the index.

Terming the performance extremely disappointing, TIB said Bangladesh is among 122 countries that have scored below 50 and is considered to have a "serious corruption problem."

According to TIB, Bangladesh's result contrasts poorly with that of many countries that earlier had comparable or even lower scores than Bangladesh's, eg, Nepal, Laos, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, Ukraine, Angola, Sri Lanka (recently), but successfully managed to improve their CPI standing.

TIB attributed this to sustained efforts to push comprehensive and strategic institutional reforms, as well as end-to-end digitalisation of public service, in tandem with effective prosecution of high-level corruption, especially political, governmental and corporate.

The CPI 2025 presents a snapshot of corruption in most countries around the world, showing which are improving, declining and at a standstill, according to Transparency International. It also provides insight into key corruption trends, including what is driving this problem at global, regional and national levels.

The CPI ranks 182 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption.

It has been Transparency International's flagship annual research since 1995. Bangladesh has been included in the index since 2001.

Bangladesh was ranked the most corrupt country in the index from 2001 to 2005 by the index.

No nationally generated data, including TIB research, is included in the CPI.