Passport Office Identified as Most Corruption-Prone Public Service Sector in Bangladesh: TIB Survey

Bangladesh's Passport Office has been identified as the most corruption-prone public service sector in the country, according to a new national household survey conducted by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).

The findings were presented on Thursday at a press conference held at TIB's office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, under the report titled "Corruption in Service Sectors: National Household Survey 2025." The event was attended by TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman and other officials.

According to the survey, 76.6 percent of households that received passport-related services reported paying bribes, making it the sector with the highest rate of bribery among all public service institutions surveyed.

The report also revealed a disparity between rural and urban areas. The bribery rate in passport services stood at 79.1 percent in rural areas, compared to 71.8 percent in urban areas.

Following the Passport Office, the sectors with the highest incidence of bribery were:

• Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA): 63.5%

• Law enforcement agencies: 49.3%

• Agricultural services: 49.3%

• Land services: 47.6%

Overall, the survey found that 63.6 percent of households nationwide experienced bribery in at least one public service sector, highlighting the continued prevalence of corruption in the delivery of essential government services.

TIB described the situation in the passport sector as particularly alarming and called for stronger accountability, transparency, and institutional reforms to address corruption and improve public service delivery.

The survey findings underscore persistent governance challenges and raise concerns about citizens' access to public services without facing demands for unofficial payments.