Bribes in Billions: Corruption Costs Bangladesh Service Sectors Dearly
In 2023, a staggering BDT 10,902 crore was exchanged as bribes in Bangladesh’s public and private service sectors, according to a survey by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB). This amount constitutes 1.43% of the national budget for FY 2023-24 and 0.22% of the GDP. The highest levels of bribery and corruption were observed in passport services, the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), and law enforcement agencies. Land services saw the most bribe-related exchanges, while climate change aid and disaster assistance saw the least.
At the survey report launch titled "Corruption in Service Sectors: National Household Survey 2023" held on December 3 at TIB’s Dhanmondi office, Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman emphasized the urgent need for full digitalization of service sectors. He argued that digitalization would eliminate direct interactions between service providers and recipients, reducing opportunities for corruption. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman also urged the establishment of "one-stop" service centers and comprehensive awareness campaigns to encourage online service use.
The report called for legal action against individuals involved in corrupt practices, with active roles from the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and relevant departments. Dr. Iftekharuzzaman criticized the ACC as being ineffective, alleging that syndicates in government offices, particularly in the passport sector, enable systemic corruption benefiting senior officials.
Key Findings of the Survey
- On average, households paid BDT 5,680 in bribes to access services.
- Approximately 70.9% of households faced corruption, and 50.8% experienced bribery when seeking services.
- Passport services were the worst offenders, with 74.8% of households reporting bribe payments.
Challenges and Outlook
The survey underscored the need for decisive action to curb corruption. Although anti-corruption measures have been discussed extensively, their implementation remains inconsistent. Experts warn that without systemic reform and accountability, trust in service institutions will continue to erode.
