Crime and Illegal Activities Are the Biggest Risks to Bangladesh’s Economy in 2026: WEF

Staff Report: PNN

For 2026, the World Economic Forum (WEF) has identified crime and illegal economic activities as the greatest threat to Bangladesh’s economy. Such activities can weaken the investment environment and create financial uncertainties.

The recently published WEF Global Risk Report–2026 lists the main potential short-term risks for Bangladesh. The report states that the second major risk is geo-economic tension, including international sanctions, tariffs, and strict scrutiny of foreign investments, which could negatively impact the economy.

The third key risk is inflation. Prolonged high inflation could raise living costs and reduce domestic demand.

The fourth risk is slow economic growth, with warnings that an unfavorable situation could lead to stagnation or recession.

The fifth risk involves debt pressure, encompassing government, corporate, and household debt. Rapidly increasing domestic and foreign debt in recent years has made interest payments a major component of the national budget, adding pressure to financial management.

The survey was conducted from May to July 2025, collecting opinions from top executives in various countries to identify 34 potential risks over the next two years.

The 2024 mass uprising in Bangladesh is also mentioned, noting that public dissatisfaction and unfulfilled expectations for better living standards led to frustration and anger, which triggered the uprising. Similar situations were observed in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Globally, the WEF warns that entering a new competitive international system could make geo-economic conflict the biggest global risk in 2026. Other risks include state conflicts, extreme weather events, societal polarization, and the spread of misinformation.

Analysts emphasize that addressing these risks requires policy reform, strengthening good governance, and reinforcing economic structures.