A majority of Bangladeshis believe the country is politically heading in the right direction, according to the latest findings of the Pulse Survey conducted by the BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD). The survey, conducted in October 2024, reveals that 56% of respondents expressed optimism about the political trajectory of the country.
The findings are in sharp contrast to findings from the BIGD Pulse Survey conducted in August 2024, where 71% of the respondents expressed optimism about Bangladesh’s political future, while 12% expressed pessimism, reads a press release.
However, economic sentiment remains a cause for concern, with 52% stating that the nation is not on the right economic track. The findings mark a notable decline from August 2024, when 60% believed the economy was progressing positively.
The survey, which gathered responses from 4,158 individuals across rural and urban areas, sheds light on shifting public perceptions following the political developments of the past few months.
“The [July] Revolution led to a rise of expectations in August. However, when these expectations weren’t met as anticipated, people began worrying about their future,” said Mirza M. Hassan, Head of the Governance and Politics cluster at BIGD.
Economic challenges, particularly inflation and business downturns, were cited by 67% of respondents as the most pressing national issue, up sharply from 30% in August. Meanwhile, support for the interim government has declined, with its approval rating dropping from nearly 75% in August to 68% in October.
The survey also highlighted growing concerns over societal issues. While 46% noted an increase in tolerance towards differing opinions, 31% reported a decline. On women’s safety, only 39% of female respondents believed conditions had improved since the uprising, compared to 49% of male respondents.
When asked if an elected government could perform better than the current interim administration, 79% agreed, underscoring public support for a return to democratic governance.
“People want a roadmap from the interim government to understand the scope and impact of the work it’s doing or planning to do,” said economist Anu Mohammad.
The findings emphasize the need for transparent and decisive action to address public concerns, particularly in economic governance, as the nation navigates its post-uprising transition.
