Who will bell the cat? Confronting corruption to secure Bangladesh’s future
Corruption in Bangladesh has moved beyond isolated abuses to become a system that shapes governance, distorts markets, and burdens citizens—raising an urgent question: can rhetoric finally give way to real reform?
Corruption in Bangladesh is no longer a matter of isolated wrongdoing. It has evolved into a deeply entrenched, systemic problem that undermines governance, economic growth, social justice, and public trust. The central question remains: who will bell the cat and liberate citizens from this vicious cycle?
For decades, political pledges have been repeated, committees formed, and slogans raised, yet corruption continues to thrive. If Bangladesh is to achieve a peaceful, stable, and prosperous future, the fight against corruption must move beyond rhetoric to sustained, enforceable action.
The scope and costs of corruption
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According to the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2025, Bangladesh ranks 13th from the bottom globally with a score of 24 out of 100, where zero indicates extreme corruption. This very disappointing ranking reflects persistent institutionalised corruption across the public sector. More than half of citizens report paying bribes to access essential services, while politically connected high-level corruption remains widespread.
Beyond the findings of Transparency International Bangladesh, national and international institutions highlight the scale of corruption in the country. Surveys conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics indicate that households regularly encounter bribery in law enforcement, land administration, health care, and transport licensing offices. These everyday forms of corruption impose an additional financial burden on ordinary citizens and weaken trust in state institutions.
Research from the World Bank shows that informal payments and administrative delays increase the cost of doing business. Global Financial Integrity estimates Bangladesh loses tens of billions of dollars through illicit financial flows over decades due to trade misinvoicing, tax evasion, and money laundering.
Development partners, including the Asian Development Bank, have raised governance concerns, noting weak regulatory enforcement, limited transparency in procurement, and political interference in large infrastructure projects.
Corruption has become embedded in administrative systems, with institutions such as the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority, law enforcement agencies, and passport offices frequently identified as corruption hotspots. Over time, bribery is normalized transforming corruption into a social habit rather than a moral violation.
Causes, consequences, and the role of leadership
The reasons for corruption are multiple and interconnected. Low public sector salaries, weak oversight, political patronage, ineffective law enforcement, and social tolerance all play significant roles. Disparities between supply and demand, such as limited public services or intense competition for jobs, create fertile ground for bribery, favouritism, and rent seeking.
Yet the greatest responsibility lies with those in power.
When political leaders fail to demonstrate integrity, corruption cascades downward through institutions. In the past, senior ministers publicly rejected or dismissed Transparency International Bangladesh reports instead of addressing structural issues. Several past finance ministers, including M Saifur Rahman and Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, openly downplayed findings.
Shah AMS Kibria criticised the Corruption Perceptions Index for relying on perception rather than verifiable evidence. Such dismissal shifted focus away from meaningful reform, allowing corruption to persist and undermining public trust, economic growth, and social equity.
The economic and social costs of corruption are staggering. It consumes an estimated two to three percent, of GDP annually, while seven to nine billion dollars is reportedly lost each year through illicit financial flows and money laundering. Corruption threatens peace and security, weakens democratic culture, and erodes citizens' confidence in institutions.
Lessons, reforms, and the way forward
Bangladesh can draw lessons from countries that have successfully reduced corruption. Denmark, consistently among the least corrupt nations, achieved this through strong institutions, political commitment, transparent procurement, independent oversight, and equal accountability.
Singapore, Rwanda, and Estonia also demonstrate that political will, institutional independence, digital transparency, and strict enforcement are indispensable to controlling corruption.
To curb corruption, reforms in Bangladesh must be comprehensive and sustained. The Anti-Corruption Commission must be genuinely independent, well-resourced, and free from political interference. Mandatory verifiable asset declarations for public officials should be enforced with regular audits.
Digitising public services such as licensing, taxation, land administration, and procurement can reduce discretionary power and bribery opportunities. Strong laws, fair market regulation, political finance reform, whistleblower protections, and citizen engagement are equally essential.
Education and cultural change are vital to reversing the normalisation of corruption. Schools, universities, religious institutions, media, and civil society must promote ethical values and civic responsibility. Independent journalism and investigative reporting remain essential tools for exposing wrongdoing and sustaining public pressure for reform.
Bangladesh stands at a crossroads. One path leads to continued erosion of trust, widening inequality, and economic leakage. The other leads to accountability, transparency, and shared prosperity. Who will bell the cat? The answer lies in collective responsibility through principled leadership, strong institutions, a vigilant media, an active civil society, and empowered citizens.
Stopping corruption has long been a public demand. Now it must become a governing reality. By placing integrity at the heart of governance, Bangladesh can secure peace, prosperity, and dignity for generations to come.
Shahiduzzaman is a freelance writer
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.
