[🇧🇩] Bangladesh Named The Country of The Year

The economist: Bangladesh named the ‘Country of the Year’



Bangladesh has been named as The Economist's "Country of the Year" for "toppling a despot and taking strides towards a more liberal government".

Each December, The Economist picks a country for this title.

The accolade is not about being the richest, happiest, or most virtuous country, but about making significant strides in the last 12 months, according to a report published on Thursday by the globally acclaimed UK-based magazine.

This year's runner-up is Syria, where the ousting of Bashar al-Assad on December 8 ended half a century of depraved dynastic dictatorship.

The shortlist this year also included Poland, South Africa, and Argentina.

The report reads, "In August, student-led street protests forced out Sheikh Hasina, who had ruled the country of 175m for 15 years.

"A daughter of an independence hero, she once presided over swift economic growth. But she became repressive, rigging elections, jailing opponents and ordering the security forces to shoot protesters."

"Huge sums of money were stolen on her watch."

The Economist also said Bangladesh has a "history of vengeful violence" when power changes hands.

"The main opposition party, the BNP, is venal. Islamic extremism is a threat."

However, the report expressed optimism, saying that this time "the transition has so far been encouraging."

"A temporary technocratic government, led by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel peace prize winner, is backed by students, the army, business and civil society. It has restored order and stabilised the economy."

Looking ahead, the report highlights the challenges Bangladesh faces.

"In 2025, it [Bangladesh] will need to repair ties with India and decide when to hold elections—first ensuring that the courts are neutral and the opposition has time to organise.

"None of this will be easy. But for toppling a despot and taking strides towards a more liberal government, Bangladesh is our country of the year."

Previous winners include Colombia (for ending a civil war), Ukraine (for resisting an unprovoked invasion) and Malawi (for democratising).

In 2023, the prize went to Greece for dragging itself out of a long financial crisis and re-electing a sensible centrist government.​

A journey from repression to recognition
Bangladesh named ‘Country of the Year’ for triumphing over tyranny



Bangladesh being named The Economist's Country of the Year in 2024 is a tremendous achievement for the country—one that all Bangladeshis can be proud of. Each December, The Economist awards this title to a country that has made significant progress over the past year. This year, Bangladesh earned the prestigious accolade for "toppling a despot and taking strides towards a more liberal government." This recognition is particularly meaningful for a nation that has recently undergone a major political transition, overthrowing an extremely corrupt and autocratic regime of 15 years through a student-led mass uprising.

The report highlights the remarkable journey of the Bangladeshi people in overcoming political repression and paving the way for a brighter, more democratic future. As the Hasina regime grew increasingly repressive—marked by election rigging, jailing of opponents, and violent crackdowns on dissent—the people united and took to the streets to assert their rights. During the July uprising that ultimately led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina, hundreds were shot dead by the regime, and around 20,000 were wounded. The heavy toll paid to oust an autocratic regime is a rare and profound example of resilience in modern history—even though Bangladeshis are no strangers to demonstrating such resilience in the face of oppression.

While the political transition has inspired optimism both nationally and globally—showcasing the resilience and determination of the Bangladeshi people—the nation now faces significant economic challenges. Rebuilding the country will require addressing the economic consequences of the previous regime. During Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, narratives of substantial economic growth were propagated, but these claims have since been exposed as largely illusory. A government-commissioned white paper revealed that an estimated $234 billion was syphoned out of the country between 2009 and 2023. Additionally, Bangladesh has long struggled with inflation and unemployment, issues that must now be tackled urgently. However, with unity, these challenges can be overcome.

The interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, has prioritised rebuilding trust and stability. Its initiatives include economic and other reforms, restoring public order, and addressing social grievances. Despite the challenges, the progress made so far has been promising. Moving forward, Bangladesh must establish positive relations with other countries for mutual benefits, ensure judicial neutrality, and organise free and fair national elections. These steps are critical to solidifying the country's progress towards a more liberal democracy.

This is also a time for Bangladesh to correct past wrongs and begin anew—building a nation founded on equity, justice, the rule of law, and human rights. We hope the global community will continue to recognise our achievements and stand by Bangladesh as it strives to fulfil the democratic aspirations of its people.​