Dr Yunus named among TIME’s top 100 influential leaders

Nobel Laureate and economist Dr Muhammad Yunus has been named one of the world’s most influential leaders by TIME Magazine.

In its 2025 list of the 100 most influential people, TIME placed Dr Yunus at number 5 in the "Leaders" category, recognizing his enduring impact on global development and recent political leadership in Bangladesh.

The prestigious list, published Wednesday evening (April 16), also features prominent global figures including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, U.S. President Donald Trump, and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk.

In a tribute written by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Dr Yunus was praised for stepping forward to guide Bangladesh toward democracy following the ousting of the country’s former authoritarian prime minister in a student-led movement last year. Clinton described him as "a well-known and trusted leader" whose involvement is helping to restore human rights, accountability, and democratic values in the country.

Clinton also reflected on Yunus's global legacy, noting his creation of Grameen Bank, which revolutionised microfinance by providing small loans to marginalized communities—particularly women—to lift themselves out of poverty. “I first met Dr Yunus when he visited Arkansas to help Governor Bill Clinton and me launch a similar microcredit programme,” she wrote. “Since then, I have seen the remarkable impact of his work around the world—transforming lives, uplifting communities, and inspiring hope.”