Bangladesh lags behind in the index of freedom and prosperity

According to the report, South Asian countries Bhutan (61), Nepal (86), Sri Lanka (97), India (104) and Pakistan (113) are ahead of Bangladesh in the freedom index. Of these, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are 'mostly independent' and Pakistan is 'mostly not independent', the report said. Afghanistan, another South Asian country belonging to SAARC, is at the last 164th position in the list.

Sri Lanka is ahead of Bangladesh among South Asian countries in terms of prosperity. Sri Lanka is ranked 72nd in the index and the country is 'prosperous in most respects'. In this index, Bangladesh is followed by Bhutan (111), Nepal (131), India (146), Pakistan (150) and Afghanistan (163).