Bangladesh slips in global corruption perception index | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
June 18, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Epaper
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025
Bangladesh slips in global corruption perception index

Crime

TBS Report
28 January, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 28 January, 2021, 10:17 pm

Related News

  • Google Pay coming to Bangladesh next week
  • BGMEA's new Chattogram region board assumes office
  • Paramount Textile posts 10% profit growth in Q3
  • New notes 'unrecognised' by ATMs and CRMs, blame game continues
  • 158 more irregular Bangladeshi migrants repatriated from Libya

Bangladesh slips in global corruption perception index

Bangladesh is the second most corrupt country in the South Asian region, preceding only Afghanistan

TBS Report
28 January, 2021, 11:30 am
Last modified: 28 January, 2021, 10:17 pm
Representational picture.
Representational picture.

Bangladesh is only behind Afghanistan, which is the most corruption-prone country in South Asia on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2020.

Bangladesh slipped two notches to become the 12th most corruption-prone nation globally on the index, but it maintained its overall score and rank from the previous year.

It had the same score (26 out of 100) and global rank (146th) in the CPI 2019, but was positioned 14th among the most corrupt countries worldwide. Bangladesh's score – unchanged for three consecutive years – is much lower than the global average of 43.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

The Transparency International index, which ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and businesspeople, uses a scale of 0-100 – where 0 is highly corrupt and 100 is clean.

Bangladesh is also positioned as the second most corrupt nation among South Asian countries, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) said while sharing its findings in a webinar on Thursday.

Among the neighbours, India scored 40 with a global rank of 86, Pakistan ranked 124th with a score of 31, and Nepal ranked 117th with 33. New Zealand and Denmark topped the CPI with a score of 88, while Somalia tied with South Sudan at the bottom with a score of only 12.

As Bangladesh's score remains significantly lower than the global average, the extent and depth of corruption in the country is still a matter of serious concern. The country also held on to the second lowest position in terms of corruption in South Asia, and the matter has been evident during the onslaught of the Covid-19 crisis, TIB's Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said while briefing the media.

He added that the TIB is urging the government to take more comprehensive, drastic and effective measures against corruption, and to go beyond "just promises," "culture of denial" and "short-range campaigns."

Dr Iftekharuzzaman continued, "Extreme corruption during the Covid-19 period and the recent rise in corruption in the financial sector may have led to the two-step decline for Bangladesh in the CPI index.

"At the same time, the Bangladesh Bank – regulatory body of the financial sector – has shown a gross failure to curb the debt default, money laundering and corruption. It seems like the central bank has been serving a vested group who are actually regulating the activities of the regulator."  

Providing more details, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "Even though Bangladesh's score remains unchanged, it is much lower than the global average, and Bangladesh is still the second lowest among the six South Asian countries and fourth lowest among 31 countries in the Asia Pacific.

"The situation is embarrassing and disappointing. We had the ability to do better. If good governance could be ensured through political integrity and strict enforcement of the law irrespective of position and identity without trying to deny or cover up corruption in certain cases, our score and position could have been improved further."

He added, "Corruption in the country's health sector amid the critical time of Covid-19 pandemic has also disrupted any possible improvement in the CPI ranking.

"Besides, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's declaration of 'zero tolerance' is the highest level of political goodwill against corruption, but it lacks implementation, and in fact is stuck in declaration."

The TIB has also expressed its deep concerns regarding the professionalism of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

"The ACC has been trying to hold those involved in corruption accountable, but to a certain limit. Just like the previous years, the ACC lacks effectiveness in bringing the kingpins to justice," he added.

About Bangladesh's score, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "For the third consecutive year, Bangladesh retains the same score. While this may seem comforting, it should be noted that countries like Somalia – which scored only 9 last year – have managed to gain 3 points in 2020.

"So, there is no point in being complacent over Bangladesh's unchanged score. Maldives also gained 14 points compared to the previous year."

Bangladesh had ranked at the very bottom between 2001 and 2005.

Among the South Asian countries – Bhutan scored 68 (24th), Sri Lanka 38 (94th), Maldives 43 (75th), and Afghanistan 19 (165th). 

Twelve countries that topped the list by points are - Denmark (88), New Zealand (88), Finland (85), Singapore (85), Sweden (85), Switzerland (85), Norway (84), Netherlands (82), Germany (80), Luxemburg (80) and Australia (77) Canada (77).

Worst corrupt countries from the bottom are – Somalia (12), South Sudan (12), Syria (14), Yemen (15), Venezuela (15), Sudan (16), Equatorial Guinea (16), Libya (17), North Korea (18), Haiti (18) and DR Congo (18).

Bangladesh / Top News

Bangladesh / Corruption Perceptions Index by Transparency International / Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) / Dr Iftekharuzzaman

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • US President Donald Trump points a finger as he departs for Canada to attend the G7 Leaders' Summit, from Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, US, June 15, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
    Trump demands Iran's 'unconditional surrender' as Israel-Iran air war rages on
  • Infographics: Duniya Jahan/TBS
    How Israel's secret nuclear arsenal comes under spotlight amid attacks on Iran
  • Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei and US president-elect Donald Trump. Photo: Collected
    'Not going to kill Khamenei, at least for now', says Trump, claiming US knows Iran's supreme leader's location

MOST VIEWED

  • Former Bangladesh High Commissioner to the UK Saida Muna Tasneem. Photo: Collected
    ACC launches inquiry against ex-Bangladesh envoy Saida Muna, husband over laundering Tk2,000cr
  • Infograph: TBS
    Ship congestion at Ctg port lingers as berthing time rises
  • A view of Iranian missiles across the sky as seen by Biman pilot Enam Talukder. Photo: Enam Talukder
    Biman pilot witnessed Iran's missiles flying towards Israel
  • Power Division wants Tk56,000cr PDB loans turned into subsidy
    Power Division wants Tk56,000cr PDB loans turned into subsidy
  • BNP leader Ishraque Hossain held a view-exchange meeting with waste management officials and Dhaka South City Corporation staff inside Nagar Bhaban on 16 June 2025. Photos: Hasan Mehedi
    Ishraque holds Nagar Bhaban meeting as 'Dhaka South mayor', says it’s people’s demand
  • Bangladesh gains bigger share in US apparel market as China loses ground, sees 29% export growth in Jan-Apr
    Bangladesh gains bigger share in US apparel market as China loses ground, sees 29% export growth in Jan-Apr

Related News

  • Google Pay coming to Bangladesh next week
  • BGMEA's new Chattogram region board assumes office
  • Paramount Textile posts 10% profit growth in Q3
  • New notes 'unrecognised' by ATMs and CRMs, blame game continues
  • 158 more irregular Bangladeshi migrants repatriated from Libya

Features

The Kallyanpur Canal is burdened with more than 600,000 kilograms of waste every month. Photo: Courtesy

Kallyanpur canal project shows how to combat plastic pollution in Dhaka

10h | Panorama
The GLS600 overall has a curvaceous nature, with seamless blends across every panel. PHOTO: Arfin Kazi

Mercedes Maybach GLS600: Definitive Luxury

1d | Wheels
Renowned authors Imdadul Haque Milon, Mohit Kamal, and poet–children’s writer Rashed Rouf seen at Current Book Centre, alongside the store's proprietor, Shahin. Photo: Collected

From ‘Screen and Culture’ to ‘Current Book House’: Chattogram’s oldest surviving bookstore

2d | Panorama
Photos: Collected

Kurtis that make a great office wear

4d | Mode

More Videos from TBS

What's behind the animosity between former allies Iran and Israel?

What's behind the animosity between former allies Iran and Israel?

6h | Others
21 Muslim countries condemn Israeli attack on Iran

21 Muslim countries condemn Israeli attack on Iran

6h | TBS World
News of The Day, 17 JUNE 2025

News of The Day, 17 JUNE 2025

9h | TBS News of the day
Rising default loans threaten jobs, growth, trade

Rising default loans threaten jobs, growth, trade

11h | TBS Insight
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net