Bangladesh ranks 14th in the list of corrupt countries: Transparency International

The international anti-corruption organization Transparency International (TI) has said that Bangladesh is ranked 14th in the list of the 'most corrupt' countries among 180 countries in the world. This is the lowest score in the last 13 years.

Bangladesh's score as a corrupt country is 23. Congo and Iran are in the same position with Bangladesh with the same score. Bangladesh is ranked 151st in the list.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Md. Ifetaruzzaman gave this information at a press conference on the occasion of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI)-2024 at the Dhanmondi TIB office on Tuesday (February 11) at 11 am.

He said that according to the CPI 2024, Bangladesh's score is 23. Which is the lowest in the last 13 years. This year, Bangladesh's position has deteriorated by two places in terms of score, ranking 151st out of 180 countries and 14th in terms of ranking. Congo and Iran are jointly ranked 151st in the list with the same score. Afghanistan has the lowest score and position in South Asia with 17 points. Bangladesh's score and position are the second lowest in this region after Afghanistan.

Ifetakharuzzaman said that Bangladesh's low score and position this year proves that although the authoritarian government has spoken against corruption in the past 13 years, in reality it has condoned, nurtured corruption, and even assisted and participated in the commission of corruption. As a result, Bangladesh's position has gradually deteriorated due to arbitrary looting, state appeasement of the corrupt, improper implementation of the law, and overall structural weakness. However, apart from the anti-corruption rhetoric, the fallen Awami League government has not shown any concern or concern about this. Even the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other relevant institutions responsible for combating corruption have failed to play their real role.

TI's analysis of the CPI index shows that Bangladesh's downward trajectory is clear in terms of scores in 2024. From 2012, Bangladesh's score on the 100-point scale used in the index fluctuated between "25 and 28" until 2022. It dropped one point in 2023 to 24 and another point in 2024 to 23. According to the trend analysis of the CPI score for the period 2012 to 2024, Bangladesh's score was 26 for a total of six consecutive years, including four years, 25 for three times, and 24, 27, and 28 once. In the following order, Bangladesh's position was 13th for a maximum of four times, 14th for three times, 12th twice, and 15th, 16th, and 17th once.

Last year, Bangladesh was ranked 10th among the 180 countries in the world in the list of 'most corrupt' countries. Bangladesh's score was 24. The African Republic, Iran, Lebanon, and Zimbabwe were in the same position with Bangladesh with the same score. And in 2023, Bangladesh was ranked 12th in the list of the most corrupt countries. Bangladesh's score was 25.

TI released the CPI index at a time when the ongoing anti-corruption campaign is underway in the country's changing situation. This index has been published every year by the non-governmental organization Transparency International since 1995. Bangladesh was first listed in 2001. At that time, a total of 91 countries were included in the list.

TIB Advisor (Executive Management) Professor Sumaiya Khair, Director (Outreach and Communication) Mohammad Touhidul Islam were present at the press conference.