Bangladesh Plummets in Democracy Index: Drops 25 Spots to 100th Position

Staff Reporter

In the 2024 Democracy Index released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Bangladesh has fallen 25 places to rank 100th, marking the steepest decline globally. This ranking, out of 167 countries, highlights a significant deterioration in the country’s democratic conditions.

The EIU’s Democracy Index is based on five criteria: electoral process and pluralism, government functioning, political participation, political culture, and civil liberties. Bangladesh scored the lowest in “government functioning” and “civil liberties,” indicating ineffective governance and a decline in civil freedoms.

On the other hand, Bangladesh performed relatively better in the “electoral process and pluralism” category. However, the January 2024 general elections were marred by allegations of suppressing opposition voices, restricting media freedom, and manipulating election outcomes. These issues have fueled grassroots movements, particularly among the youth, reflecting public dissatisfaction with mainstream political parties.

This decline in the Democracy Index underscores Bangladesh’s political instability and a lack of public trust in democratic processes. Experts emphasize the need for transparent and credible elections, improved government efficiency, and the protection of civil liberties to address the current challenges.