What policy positions are publicly acceptable in Bangladesh? Evidence from the Jonomot opinion poll
This brief finds that public opinion in Bangladesh is predominantly economically interventionist and socially conservative, with most respondents favouring a strong role for the state in the economy. While support for equal treatment of all religions is widespread, it coexists with significant backing for prioritising the majority religion and for a greater role of religion in state affairs, suggesting uncertainty about the relationship between religion and governance. The findings also indicate that market liberalisation currently attracts less public support than interventionist policies. On gender-based violence, although respondents overwhelmingly hold perpetrators responsible, many also endorse views that place responsibility on women to modify their behaviour, highlighting the need for continued public education and awareness.
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Ahmed-Islam-Satter-Policy-Brief-June-2026.pdf
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- The centre of public opinion in Bangladesh is economically interventionist and socially conservative: 78.4% of respondents fall in the left-conservative quadrant.
- Support for a strong state role in the economy is broader than support for market liberalisation. The average centred economic score is -2.33. Hence, interventionist economic policies might garner popular support. On the other hand, much campaigning is needed to make market liberalisation popular.
- On religion and the state, support for equal treatment of religions reaches 92.3%, but this coexists with support for prioritising the majority religion in state affairs (74.2%) and for a theocratic state (68.5%). This suggests a degree of confusion among voters regarding the role of religion, most likely due to a lack of information.
- On sexual violence, respondents support blaming perpetrators, but many also endorse narratives that regulate women's behaviour. The strongest majority position, at 88.4%, is that the abuser is to blame, but women should dress modestly and be careful outside. This is a sobering reality, and much campaigning needs to be done by the policymakers and the activists to educate people on gender-based violence.