Bangladesh
Freedom at a Glance
Global Freedom
44 / 100
Partly Free
Internet Freedom
50 / 100
Partly Free
The ruling Awami League (AL) has consolidated political power through sustained harassment of the opposition and those perceived to be allied with it, as well as of critical media and voices in civil society. Violence and discrimination against religious minorities and refugees, particularly Rohingya who have fled Myanmar, are significant problems.
Research & Recommendations
Bangladesh
Partly Free
44
100
| PR Political Rights | 15 40 |
| CL Civil Liberties | 29 60 |
Last Year's Score & Status
45
100
Partly Free
A country or territory’s Freedom in the World status depends on its aggregate Political Rights score, on a scale of 0–40, and its aggregate Civil Liberties score, on a scale of 0–60.
See the methodology.
Overview
In August 2024, the ruling Awami League (AL), which consolidated its control by harassing political opponents and co-opting state institutions during its 15 years in power, was overthrown in a student-led uprising. With the backing of the military and student protesters, an interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus took office. Over the next year and a half, the interim government reopened political and civic space and began to implement reforms ahead of planned elections, but extralegal violence and political retribution remained problems.
Freedom in the World 2026 Policy Recommendations
Strengthen democratic coordination and collective action in a contested global order
Democratic resilience will increasingly depend on stronger coordination among countries that share a commitment to freedom, the rule of law, and accountable governance.
Reimagine international democracy assistance to help reverse the global decline in freedom
International support for democratic institutions, civil society, and independent media has been associated with modest but meaningful improvements in democratic governance, and it is far less costly than the military outlays necessitated by rising authoritarian aggression.
Prioritize engagement with younger generations in the digital spaces where civic identity is now formed
Young people are increasingly dissatisfied with democracy—not because they reject its principles, but because they see institutions failing to deliver on them. Programmatic work should create clear pathways for meaningful political participation, from voting and policy engagement to community organizing and public leadership, so that young people can translate their expectations into agency.
Bangladesh
Partly Free
50
100
| A Obstacles to Access | 16 25 |
| B Limits on Content | 21 35 |
| C Violations of User Rights | 13 40 |
Last Year's Score & Status
45
100
Partly Free
Scores are based on a scale of 0 (least free) to 100 (most free).
See the methodology and report acknowledgements.
Overview
Internet freedom in Bangladesh continued to improve under the interim government and following the victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) in February parliamentary elections. Authorities did not impose sweeping internet shutdowns and largely refrained from blocking sites for political or religious reasons, but supporters of the banned Awami League and critics of the new government faced criminal punishment for online speech. Additionally, online incitement contributed to real-world violence against leading media outlets.
Freedom on the Net 2026 Policy Recommendations
Undermine Authoritarian Internet Restrictions
Access to the internet is under threat as authoritarian powers continue to create barriers for people to freely express themselves online. Internet shutdowns, throttling, and platform blocking remain among the most common tools of digital repression. At the same time, digital technologies serve as a lifeline for people seeking to expose human rights violations to the outside world and hold dictators accountable.
Safeguard Privacy Online
Protecting privacy online is essential to safeguarding free expression in repressive contexts. Without strong privacy protections, journalists and human rights defenders may self-censor out of a fear of reprisal. Rapid advances in AI—and the growing threat of automated vulnerability exploitation—heighten these risks, leaving civil society organizations increasingly vulnerable to sophisticated cyberattacks.
News and Updates
Freedom House Perspectives
News Releases & Media Coverage
Country Facts
Basic Facts
Freedom in the World Score
44
/ 100
Partly Free
Freedom on the Net Score
50
/ 100
Partly Free
Population: 171,200,000
Election Facts
Status
Past Election
Date of Election
January 7, 2024
Type of Election
Parliamentary
Internet Penetration
38.90%
Election Year
2024
Vulnerability Index
40
/ 100
Transnational Repression
Status
Not Tracked
