Bangladesh Ranks 141st In Global Freedom Index

According to the 'Freedom and Prosperity Report' released by the Atlantic Council, a US-based think tank, Bangladesh has been ranked 141st out of 164 countries in terms of freedom. This places Bangladesh in the 'mostly unfree' category. Additionally, on the Prosperity Index, Bangladesh ranks 99th out of 164, categorizing it as 'mostly unprosperous'. The report emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and addressing issues like corruption and securing economic and political rights.

During the 'Prosperity and Good Governance Conference' organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and The Asia Foundation in Dhaka, US Ambassador Peter Haas stressed the significance of tackling these challenges. The conference featured Mr. Joseph Lemoine, Director of the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center, as the keynote speaker, who highlighted the correlation between freedom and prosperity. Lemoine pointed out that countries with greater freedom tend to enjoy higher levels of prosperity and attract more foreign investment.

The decline in Bangladesh's Freedom Index over the past 22 years, as noted by a spokesperson from the US embassy in Dhaka, underscores the importance of strengthening basic freedoms for sustainable economic growth. The conference, attended by various stakeholders including government officials, civil society representatives, businesses, and academics, aimed to address these issues collectively.