Bangladesh has been ranked the 103rd most prosperous nation out of 142 countries, according to the Prosperity Index 2015, notching just one place up from last year.
The report findings have been generated on the basis of eight sub-indices – economy; entrepreneurship and opportunity; governance; education; health; safety and security; personal freedom; and social capital.
The report was published on November 2 by London-based public think tank Legatum Institute.
However, Bangladesh is way below its neighbours India (99), Sri Lanka (61), Thailand (48) and Nepal (89), and has only managed to rise above Pakistan (130).
Of the eight indices, safety and security, governance, education, health and economy remain reasons for concern for the government.
On the other hand, there has been a bit of improvement in terms of personal freedom, social capital and entrepreneurship and opportunity sub-indices.
“The Prosperity Index tells us that the story of human progress goes beyond economics,” said Sian Hansen, executive director of the Legatum Institute, in the foreword of the report.
“It tells us that for nations to flourish they must provide opportunity and freedom to their citizens.”
Norway has been ranked number one in the prosperity Index followed by Switzerland and Denmark. Singapore ranks first in the Economy sub-index, up from its second position from last year, displacing Switzerland.
Last year the Prosperity Index struck an optimistic tone, explaining that the world was becoming increasingly prosperous. This remains true, but the 2015 index reveals that the world is becoming an increasingly dangerous place.
The rise of militant organisation Islamic State (IS) has changed the nature of global security, particularly in the Middle East. The prelude to this in both Iraq and Syria was the fragmenting of social bonds. Worryingly, other countries in the region are seeing similar fissures emerging.
Surprisingly, as per the report, United States is an increasingly dangerous place with it going out from the list of top 30 countries in the sub-indices of safety and security.
On the other hand, UK visa norms are going stringent with each passing day, but it has managed to be at number one in Europe for ease in entrepreneurship and opportunity.
There is good news for those planning to go to any of these five countries – Canada, Norway, New Zealand, Iceland and Ireland, as they comprise the top five for being tolerant towards immigrants.