🇧🇩Bangladesh Political Stability: 15.1/100

Bangladesh is located in South Asia, bordered by India and Myanmar, and features the world's largest river delta, the Ganges Delta. The country has a tropical climate with a mild winter and a hot, humid summer, and is prone to natural disasters like floods and cyclones. The terrain includes fertile plains, hill ranges, and significant wetlands, with the highest point being Saka Haphong at 1,064 meters.

As of 2023, Bangladesh has a population of approximately 171.4 million, making it the eighth-most populous country in the world. The majority of the population is ethnically Bengali, comprising 99%, with a small percentage of indigenous groups. The country has a median age of about 28 years, and a significant portion of the population is under 14 years old.

World Bank governance: rule of law 24th percentile, corruption control 8th percentile, political stability 12th percentile.

Bangladesh's strongest governance dimension is Rule of Law at 24/100, placing it in the bottom quartile globally. This reflects relatively strong confidence in contract enforcement, property rights, police, and courts.

The weakest dimension is Control of Corruption at 8/100. Corruption remains a significant governance challenge, potentially affecting everyday interactions with government institutions.

A moderate spread of 17 points separates the strongest and weakest indicators. This suggests governance strengths in some areas but room for improvement in others. Travelers can generally rely on institutional frameworks, though certain aspects of governance may be less dependable.

Bangladesh's fragile governance environment presents real challenges for travelers. Institutional capacity is severely limited across most dimensions. Visitors should expect minimal government services, potential interactions with corruption, and limited recourse through legal systems. Travel to Bangladesh requires extensive preparation and risk awareness.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Bangladesh as Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.