In 2023, Bangladeshis paid an estimated Tk 10,902 crore in bribes to access various government and private services, according to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
This staggering figure represents 1.43 per cent of the 2023-24 fiscal budget and 0.22 per cent of the country’s GDP.
The findings were revealed during the launch of the Corruption in the Service Sector: National Household Survey 2023 at the TIB office in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi on Tuesday (December 3) morning.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman shared that the minimum estimated total bribes paid at the national level from 2009 to 2024 amount to a staggering Tk 1,46,252 crore.
He also pointed out a concerning societal shift in attitudes toward corruption, saying, "People no longer despise the corrupt as they once did. Instead, corrupt individuals are often honored as chief guests at events and even appointed as presidents of religious institutions."
Iftekharuzzaman emphasised that this normalisation of corruption undermines social values and creates barriers to fostering accountability and integrity in society.
A nation burdened by corruption
The report highlights the grim reality faced by citizens: 70.9 per cent of households experienced corruption, with 50.8 per cent forced to pay bribes to access essential services. On average, families paid Tk 5,680 in bribes over the year.
The judicial, land, and banking sectors recorded the highest average bribes, while the most corruption-prone services were identified as those provided by the passport office, Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and law enforcement agencies.
An alarming snapshot
Based on data from 15,515 households across eight administrative divisions, the survey sheds light on the pervasive nature of corruption. Conducted between May 13 and August 3, 2024, the findings offer a detailed view of the challenges ordinary citizens face in navigating service sectors.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman noted that the prevalence of corruption is deeply entrenched in the country’s service delivery systems. He emphasized that the judicial system, land services, and law enforcement agencies require urgent reforms to rebuild public trust.
The human cost
Beyond the numbers, the report paints a troubling picture of the financial and psychological toll of corruption. Families often find themselves cornered into paying bribes to access their basic rights, creating a culture of impunity that undermines governance and social equity.
As policymakers deliberate on ways to combat corruption, TIB has called for stricter enforcement of anti-corruption measures, transparency in service delivery, and an empowered Anti-Corruption Commission to curb these systemic issues.