A new World Bank survey shows the institution remains a trusted and active partner in Bangladesh’s development, and stakeholders are urging it to deepen local ties and keep delivering practical support. The FY2025 Bangladesh Country Opinion Survey, carried out between December 2024 and February 2025 with 315 respondents from government, civil society, academia, the private sector and the media, finds the Bank ranks among the most trusted international partners and that views of its effectiveness have improved since 2022. Many respondents praised the Bank’s reform efforts in 2024 for making it easier to work with and for expanding helpful partnerships. People named education, health and climate change as top national needs, followed by agriculture, food security, governance and private sector growth, showing a shift toward protecting people and building the economy. Nearly all respondents said Bank projects meet their goals, with many noting programs such as the Primary Education Development Program and the National Agricultural Technology Project helped real people. The Bank’s Delta Plan 2100 also drew praise for long term planning on water and climate. Stakeholders said the World Bank’s financial role is vital: three quarters called its funding timely and well matched to needs, and many urged more grants and flexible loans tied to strong monitoring and long term care. At the same time, people value its research and advice. Around seven in ten said they used the Bank’s data or reports recently and many said that advice had shaped policy on topics like energy, school reform and farming risk. To reach more people, respondents asked for simple changes such as translating materials into Bangla, holding more public workshops and offering more practical topics like youth jobs and digital skills. The survey also found stronger cooperation with the national government and other donors, and improved ties with civil society and business. Respondents want even deeper links with universities, local governments and firms so projects fit local needs and can be run by local teams. Examples of the Bank’s practical engagement won praise, including work during the Rohingya crisis and programs on maternal health and gender based violence. Better communication was a clear ask: events, workshops and plain reports make people more aware and more likely to trust the Bank. Stakeholders suggested clear goals, frequent reviews and simple public updates to keep progress visible, fair and measurable too. The report paints a hopeful picture: the World Bank is seen as a steady, useful partner, but it faces calls to do more at the local level, boost partnerships and make sure its money and advice lead to fair, lasting change. If the Bank follows these steps, it can help Bangladesh build stronger services, safer communities and a more resilient economy.
