Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has sharply criticised the interim government for failing to curb corruption, calling it a wasted historic opportunity to establish good governance after the July 2024 popular uprising.
Presenting the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 on Tuesday, TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the government "could not utilise the opportunity that was created to combat corruption and establish good governance."
Bangladesh scored 24 out of 100, a one-point rise from last year, but its global ranking dropped, placing it 150th out of 180 countries, in the lowest quintile. Regionally, Bangladesh ranks second lowest among eight South Asian nations and fourth lowest among 32 Asia-Pacific countries, reflecting a continued struggle against systemic corruption.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman described the results as a "missed opportunity," noting that while the July uprising's fall of entrenched cronies earned positive attention, persistent corruption at the grassroots and lack of transparency overshadowed any gains.
Political resistance, bureaucratic factionalism, and unfulfilled reform commitments-such as the independence of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and mandatory asset disclosure-were cited as key obstacles.
Data shows Bangladesh's CPI has averaged 26 between 2012 and 2025, with the 2025 score two points below this average and four points below the 2017 peak. The country lags 18 points behind the global average and 21 behind the Asia-Pacific average, performing even below authoritarian and "closed civic space" nations.
Comparatively, neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Nepal, Laos, and Vietnam are making progress through digital governance and judicial enforcement, while Bangladesh continues to falter. Sri Lanka alone improved by three points this year.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman rejected the idea that corruption is inevitable. "Corruption can be controlled in Bangladesh if there is political will, exemplary punishment of criminals, and accountable governance," he said.
