Bangladesh’s extreme decline in international security index, 61 steps behind Pakistan

Staff Correspondent | July 27, 2025

The recently released ‘Nambio Safety Index-2025’ has surprised many at a glance. The general perception was that Pakistan, known for militancy, political violence and a fragile economy, is undoubtedly a dangerous country. But this time, challenging that perception, Pakistan has surpassed Bangladesh in this index and has risen to 65th place. And Bangladesh’s position? Surprisingly, 126th, meaning Bangladesh is now 61 steps behind Pakistan in terms of safety.

The Numbio Safety Index is generally based on user-generated data from around the world, taking into account crime trends, law enforcement efficiency, citizens’ feelings of safety, and concerns about personal safety.

This index reflects the real-life experiences of ordinary citizens—which brings to the fore the deepest crises in society. It provides a clear picture of how dire the law and order situation has become in Bangladesh during the interim government of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Yunus.

Even when looking at other South Asian countries, it is clear that Bangladesh lags far behind. Sri Lanka, in the same region, is ranked 59th—considered the safest country in South Asia. Pakistan is ranked 65th, and India is just below it, ranked 66th.

Pakistan, a country known for extreme instability and violence, with an economy in near collapse and a political structure plagued by repeated military interventions, is now considered much safer than Bangladesh.

Many in the country’s civil society have expressed not only surprise but also deep concern at such a picture. Because, while Bangladesh lags behind a militancy-ridden, gun-rattling state like Pakistan, it is time to rethink the security situation in our own homes.

The list of the safest countries in the world is topped by the small peaceful country of Andorra in Europe, with a safety index of 84.7. It is followed by the United Arab Emirates (84.5), Qatar (84.2), Taiwan (82.9) and Oman (81.7). Japan, one of the most developed countries in Asia, is in 10th place and China is in 15th place. Even India’s position is comparatively much better than Bangladesh, remaining in a stable position at 66th place.

On the other hand, only Afghanistan (144th) and war-torn Syria (140th) are slightly behind Bangladesh. At the very bottom of the list, in 148th place, is South America’s Venezuela—the world’s most dangerous country in 2025.

Some might say about this index, “This is based on user opinions, not government data!” But this is where the question arises—if the country’s citizens’ perception of security is so negative, how fragile is the real situation?

This decline in the safety index is not just a numerical aberration—it is a cruel reflection of the social, political, and law and order situation in the country. Where citizens do not feel safe in their own country, words like development, investment, or social stability are just fancy words.

This 2025 data is therefore not just the result of a survey—it is an unpopular reality for Bangladesh, which carries a difficult message of lagging behind even a country in dire crisis like Pakistan.