Press Release
Dhaka, 10 February 2026: According to the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2025 released by Berlin-based Transparency International (TI), Bangladesh’s score has increased by one point from 2024 to 24, with its ranking rising one step to 150th out of 182 countries in ascending order. This is the second-lowest score Bangladesh has achieved in 14 years since 2012. However, this does not indicate substantial changes in the state and legal structures following the fall of authoritarian rule. Over the past one and a half years, the interim government has failed to take effective and exemplary measures against corruption. Moreover, due to the influence of the bureaucracy and various politically and otherwise powerful actors, as well as the neglect or non-implementation of reform proposals put forward by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other relevant institutions responsible for combating corruption, these institutions have also failed to carry out their actual roles.
The findings were revealed at a press conference held today this afternoon as part of the global CPI 2025 release. TIB’s Director of Outreach and Communication Mohammad Tauhidul Islam moderated the session, while TIB’s Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman highlighted Bangladesh’s position, stating, “According to the CPI, on the 0–100 scale used since 2012, Bangladesh’s score fluctuated between 25 and 28 until 2022. However, in 2023 and 2024, the score consecutively declined by one point each, to 24 and 23 respectively, before increasing by one point this year to 24. Trend analysis of the CPI shows that, compared to 2012, Bangladesh’s score this year is two points lower, making it the second-lowest in the past 14 years. Among the 182 countries included in the index, Bangladesh ranks 13th on the list of lowest-scoring countries.” He said, “The one-point increase in the score this year reflects the effect of the unrealized positive prospects for achieving democratic and accountable governance signaled by the July uprising. However, it does not reflect the subsequent reality of the state reform process, as the relevant data sources were not yet updated.”
The press conference also noted that Denmark tops the CPI 2025 list as the least corrupt country with a score of 89, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). South Sudan and Somalia rank lowest with 9 points each, followed by Venezuela (10) and Yemen, Libya, and Eritrea (13 each). The global average score is 42, the lowest in over a decade. Of the 182 countries, two-thirds (122 countries) scored below 50. Compared to last year, 48 countries improved, 68 declined, and 64 remained unchanged. Since 2012, 31 countries have improved, while 50 countries have worsened.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said, “According to this year’s analysis of the index, Bangladesh is among the countries that have failed to rein in corruption. In South Asia, Bangladesh ranks second-lowest after Afghanistan in both score and position. Bangladesh’s score (24) is 18 points below the global average (42) and 21 points below the Asia-Pacific regional average (45). Even compared to countries in the most corruption-prone region, sub-Saharan Africa, Bangladesh’s score is 8 points lower. Therefore, the level of corruption in Bangladesh is highly concerning. According to this year’s CPI, among the 182 countries, the average score of fully democratic countries is 71, that of flawed democracies is 47, and that of non-democratic countries is 32. This means that fully democratic countries are far more effective in controlling corruption compared to flawed democracies, non-democratic, or authoritarian states. Meanwhile, analysis of the CPI scores according to civic space shows that countries with full civic space have an average score of 68; those with limited or restricted civic space, 51; countries where civic space is obstructed, 38; those with repressive space, 32; and countries with no civic space, 30. Based on this analysis, Bangladesh falls into the category of a non-democratic or authoritarian state with no civic space.”
Analyzing Bangladesh’s position, TIB’s Executive Director further said, “Even after the mass uprising, the nation’s expectations have not been met, and the foundation for state reform remains fragile. In particular, a section of the bureaucracy and political parties are obstructing the necessary reform proposals required to ensure accountability.” To address this dire state of corruption, he called on political parties not to implement reforms according to their preferred “pick and choose” approach, but to pursue sustainable and comprehensive reforms as required by the state. He added, “Although the kleptocracy has ended, money laundering has not stopped; on the contrary, it has been reinstated.”
According to the CPI 2025, among the eight South Asian countries, five countries recorded score improvements ranging from 1 to 3 points. Two countries experienced a decline of 1 point each, while one country’s score remained unchanged. Sri Lanka recorded the highest increase with 3 points, while Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the Maldives each improved by 1 point. Bhutan and Afghanistan saw their scores decline by 1 point each, while Nepal’s score remained unchanged. In terms of upward ranking, Sri Lanka recorded the highest improvement, moving up 14 notches, while the Maldives and India each improved by five notches and Bangladesh moved up by one notch. However, Nepal dropped two notches, Pakistan one notch, and Afghanistan recorded the highest decline, falling four notches. Bhutan’s ranking remained unchanged despite losing one point. It is noteworthy that, except for Bhutan, the remaining seven South Asian countries again scored below the index’s global average of 42 this year. In other words, overall, the extent and depth of corruption in South Asia remain highly concerning.
The CPI measures corruption perception on a scale of 0–100, where 0 represents the highest corruption and 100 the least corruption or highest governance quality. No country has achieved a perfect score, meaning corruption exists even in the least corrupt countries.
It was informed at the press conference that TIB plays no role in determining the CPI. Even information or analysis generated from TIB’s own research cannot be included in the CPI. Like TI chapters in other countries, TIB only publishes the Corruption Perceptions Index at the national level. For CPI 2025, a total of 13 surveys from 12 globally renowned institutions covering different countries were used as data sources. In Bangladesh’s case, as in the previous year, eight surveys were utilized: the World Bank’s Country Policy and Institutional Assessment, World Economic Forum Executive Opinion Survey, Global Insight Country Risk Ratings, Bertelsmann Foundation Transformation Index, World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Political Risk Services International Country Risk Guide, Economist Intelligence Unit Country Risk Ratings, and the Varieties of Democracy Project dataset reports.
CPI defines corruption as the “abuse of public power for private gain.” All surveys and data are analyzed according to internationally recognized standards with utmost care. For detailed methodology, visit: www.ti-bangladesh.org/cpi
Media Contact:
Mohammad Tauhidul Islam
Director, Outreach and Communication
Phone: +8801713107868
Email: tauhidul@ti-bangladesh.org
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