Staff Reporter :
Public optimism about Bangladesh’s economic trajectory has declined markedly over the past year, with fewer than half of citizens now believing the country is on the right track, according to a new survey.
The study – Public Opinion, Experiences, and Expectations, July 2025 – was conducted jointly by Voice for Reform and the Brac Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD).
Findings show that in August 2024, 60 per cent of respondents expressed confidence in the economy’s direction. By July 2025, that figure had fallen to just 45 per cent, representing a steep 15-per centage-point decline.
The results were presented on Monday at the National Archives Auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka, where BIGD Fellow Syeda Salina Aziz delivered the keynote address.
The erosion of confidence was even greater in the political sphere. In August 2024, 71 per cent of respondents said the country was on the right political path.
This fell to 56 per cent by October 2024, and dropped further to 42 per cent by July 2025. Analysts attribute the trend to frustration over governance challenges, uncertainty surrounding political transition, and delays in implementing promised reforms.
The survey also revealed a shift in public perceptions of the nation’s most pressing issues. In October 2024, half of respondents identified rising prices as the top concern. By July 2025, that figure had dropped sharply to 9 per cent.
Instead, governance-related concerns have taken precedence: the absence of a newly elected government was cited by 18 per cent as the most urgent problem, followed by economic and business slowdown (15 per cent) and political instability (13 per cent).
Researchers suggest that these findings reflect a move away from concerns about immediate economic hardship toward deeper worries about institutional and political stability.
Despite these concerns, nearly 70 per cent of respondents expressed confidence that the forthcoming national election will be free, fair, and impartial, while 15 per cent expressed doubts.
On the timing of the election, 51 per cent favoured holding it after comprehensive reforms, 17 per cent after urgent reforms, and 32 per cent by December 2025.
A further breakdown shows 12 per cent prefer February 2026, 11 per cent June 2026, and 25 per cent December 2026 or later. In line with the interim government’s initial announcement, 55 per cent supported holding the election by June 2026.
The survey also highlighted security-related concerns. Around 80 per cent reported being worried about rising mob violence, while 14 per cent identified deteriorating law and order as the country’s main problem – up from 7 per cent in October 2024.
Women’s safety remains a significant issue: 56 per cent expressed concern over harassment, 61 per cent over safety at night, and 67 per cent over discrimination or harassment linked to clothing choices.
The survey was based on telephone interviews with 5,489 men and women across all 64 districts, conducted between 1 and 20 July 2025.
