Bangladesh slips two notches in global corruption index

Bangladesh has slipped two notches in the list of the most corrupt countries in the world in the year 2023.

According to the Corruption Perception Index-2023 (CPI-2023) produced annually by the international secretariat of Transparency International (TI), the Berlin-based global coalition against corruption, Bangladesh has scored 24 out of 100, which is the 10th lowest score among 180 countries.

Bangladesh's score was the 12th lowest in 2022, a presentation on the CPI-2023 by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) shows.

The 2023 score of Bangladesh is at the lowest point since 2012. This year's score is also two points lower in terms of the trend for 2012-2013.

The index also shows that Bangladesh is among the 105 countries that have scored below the global average of 43, indicating a 'very serious corruption problem.'

Aside from having the 10th lowest score in the world, Bangladesh has the 4th lowest score among 31 Asia-Pacific countries. However, the country scored better than Afghanistan and Cambodia (22), Myanmar (20), and North Korea (17).

No country scored 100 per cent in the index, and most countries have made little to no progress in tackling public sector corruption in the 12 years since 2012.

The main message of CPI 2-23 is that corruption and injustice are interrelated and feed each other. Corruption breeds injustice, while injustice breeds further corruption, creating a vicious circle.

While shedding light on the factors behind Bangladesh's continued disappointing result, it was mentioned that widespread public sector corruption further intensified, and continues unabated.

As a way forward, the TBI's presentation suggested challenging impunity effectively and bringing the corrupt to justice irrespective of status or identity.

Data for CPI are drawn from more than a dozen internationally credible and reputed surveys on issues relevant to governance and corruption. Only such data are used that allow internationally comparative assessment.

It was mentioned that the TIB plays no role in producing this index, nor any research or survey conducted by the TIB has any relevance to CPI.

/KN/