BRTA, Passport, Law Enforcement Agencies Rank Highest In Corruption

In 2023, the estimated total amount of bribes in the country was 10,902 crore BDT, which accounts for 1.43% of the national budget for the fiscal year 2023-24 and 0.22% of the GDP. This amount was paid by the people of the country to obtain various government and private sector services. The highest levels of corruption and bribery were found in passport services, the BRTA (Bangladesh Road Transport Authority), and law enforcement agencies.

These details were disclosed during the launch of the report on "Corruption in the Service Sector: National Household Survey 2023," held at the TIB office in Dhanmondi on Tuesday morning (December 3). 

The report reveals that, on average, each household paid 5,680 BDT as a bribe to receive services. The highest average bribe amounts were found in judicial services, land services, and banking. According to the survey, 70.9% of households experienced corruption, and 50.8% were victims of bribery. 

The survey included data from 15,515 households across 8 divisions, conducted from May 13 to August 3, 2024.

TIB’s Executive Director, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, while presenting the data, stated that from 2009 to 2024, the total estimated bribe amount in the country has reached 1,46,252 crore BDT. He added that corrupt individuals are no longer despised by the public. Instead, they are invited as chief guests at events and appointed as heads of religious institutions.