As most corrupted country in the world, Bangladesh ranks 14th

Transparency International(TI), an anti-corruption organization, has revealed that Bangladesh ranks 14th in the list of the "most corrupt" countries out of 180 nations, marking the lowest score the country has received in the past 13 years.

The findings of the global Corruption Perception Index (CPI) were disclosed on Tuesday, during a press conference at TIB’s Dhaka office in Dhanmondi.

TIB’s Executive Director, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, shared the details of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI)-2024, saying that Bangladesh’s score has dropped to 23, a significant decline compared to previous years. The country now shares this score with Congo and Iran, both of which are ranked at 151st position.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman highlighted that Bangladesh's score this year is the lowest in the last 13 years. Despite the government’s vocal stance against corruption, he pointed out that its actions have only fostered and supported corruption, leading to widespread plundering and state-sponsored protection of corrupt individuals.

The failure to properly enforce laws and the weakening of institutional structures have been cited as contributing to the country’s continued decline in the scores.

“While the government has talked about combating corruption, it has, in reality, nurtured and participated in it,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman said. “The result has been rampant corruption, patronage of the corrupt, and a significant erosion of the country’s position due to systemic flaws.”

Bangladesh's drop from last year's score of 25—illustrates a clear downward trend. Since 2012, the country’s score on the CPI has fluctuated between 25 and 28, but in 2023, it declined to 24 and further dropped to 23 in 2024.

In terms of regional context, Bangladesh’s score places it second lowest in South Asia, just above Afghanistan, which holds the lowest score in the region with 17 points. Bangladesh’s 23-point score this year ranks it among the most corrupt nations globally, with only a handful of countries ranking lower.

In the broader context, TIB's CPI-2024 analysis shows that Bangladesh’s position has deteriorated over the years. The country has scored 26 on six occasions, 25 three times, and 24, 27, and 28 once each. In terms of its global ranking, Bangladesh has frequently found itself in the lower echelons, often ranking in the 12th to 16th positions.

The CPI-2024 report has been released amidst ongoing anti-corruption efforts within the country, although critics argue that these campaigns have not resulted in significant changes. The CPI index, published annually since 1995, was first introduced in Bangladesh in 2001, with 91 countries featured in the initial list.