Shawdesh Desk:

Bangladesh has slipped two places in the Corruption Perception Index 2024, ranking 151st out of 180 countries, alongside Congo and Iran.

This marks a decline from its 149th position in 2023, reflecting growing concerns over corruption in the country.

The report was released by Transparency International and presented by Transparency International Bangladesh at a press conference at its office in Dhaka.

TIB executive director Iftekharuzzaman highlights a downward trend in Bangladesh’s anti-corruption performance.

The country scored 23 out of 100 this year — one point lower than last year and the lowest score recorded in the past 13 years.

Among South Asian nations, Bangladesh ranks just above Afghanistan, which scored 17, making it the region’s most corruption-prone country.

Since 2012, Bangladesh’s CPI score had fluctuated between 25 and 28, but in 2023, it dropped to 24 before hitting this year’s low of 23.

The country’s 13-year average score stands at 26, showing a steady decline in governance and transparency.

The CPI report reveals a mixed global trend that stated that 56 countries improved their scores, 93 countries saw a decline, 31 countries remained unchanged.

More than two-thirds of the world’s nations scored below 50, with 56 per cent falling below the global average score of 43.

In term of least corrupt, Denmark (90), Finland (88), and Singapore (84) have topped the list.

South Sudan (8), Somalia (9), and Venezuela (10) have become the most three corrupted countries.