Bangladesh Survey of Public Opinion

October 30 – November 19, 2015

Detailed Methodology• The survey was conducted by Nielsen-Bangladesh under the supervision of Mr. Rob Varsalone of Global

Strategic Partners and the International Republican Institute between October 30 – November 19, 2015.

• Data was collected using a multi-stage stratified probability sample and through in-person, in-homeinterviews. The sample was stratified by the seven administrative divisions, by district and by urbanand rural locations.

• The sample consisted of 2,550 respondents (response rate: 43 percent) aged 18 and older, and wasrepresentative of voting-age adults nationally.

• The sample was distributed into 255 primary sampling units (PSU) from all 64 districts of all sevendivisions. PSUs were defined as mouza in rural areas and as mahalla in urban areas.

• The probability-proportional-to-size method was used to select localities. After identifying a centrallylocated starting point, the Date Method was used to select the first house and then Systematic RandomSampling was used to select the appropriate household. Within each household, the Kish Grid was thenused to select respondents 18 years and older.

• Interview teams were comprised of both males and females.

• The margin of error does not exceed plus or minus two percent at the mid-range with a confidencelevel of 95 percent.

• The information in this report has been compiled in accordance with international standards for marketand social research methodologies. Figures in charts and tables may not sum to 100 percent due torounding.

2

A Majority Believe Bangladesh is Headed in the Right Direction

Do you believe things in Bangladesh are heading in the right direction, or are they heading in the wrong direction?

4

33%35%

56%

62%64%

62%

59%

39%36%

32%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Nov 2013 Jan 2014 Sep 2014 Jun 2015 Nov 2015

Right Direction Wrong Direction

Why do you say right direction?(Those responding right direction, n=1,639)

5

1%

1%

1%

6%

18%

72%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

Declining Terrorism

More Jobs

More Electricity Production

Better Economy

Development in Transportation System

Education Improvement

Why do you say wrong direction?(Those responding wrong direction, n=804)

6

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

1%

2%

2%

3%

10%

30%

48%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

One-Sided Government

Low Prices of Agricultural Products

Poor Quality of Education

Bad Law and Order Situation

Electricity Crisis

Hartals*

Corruption Increased

Personal Finances

No Jobs

Poor Transportation System

Price Hikes

Political Instability

*Hartals refer to violent protests that cause sectors of the economy to close down.

Overall, how would you rate the current security conditions in Bangladesh?

7

26%

29%

29%

41%

39%

51%

17%

14%

11%

16%

16%

9%

1%

2%

1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2015

Very Good Somewhat Good Somewhat Bad Very Bad Don't Know/No Response

Overall, how would you rate the current political stability in Bangladesh?

8

19%

22%

21%

40%

42%

49%

22%

11%

9%

16%

18%

13%

3%

7%

8%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2015

Very Stable Somewhat Stable Somewhat Unstable Very Unstable Don't Know/No Response

Why do you think the situation is unstable?(Those responding unstable, open-ended)

3%

5%

6%

6%

9%

9%

20%

20%

21%

35%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40%

Policy Concerns

Abductions

Political Parties are Bad

Corruption/Abuse of Power

Opposition is Under Attack

Lack of Democracy

Hartals

One-Sided Election

Violence Increasing

Fighting

Nov 2015n=551

9Multiple responses were allowed.

Thinking some more about the political stability of Bangladesh, in the year ahead do you think that it will improve, worsen or stay

the same?

10

48%

50%

15%

17%

20%

13%

17%

20%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Jun2015

Nov2015

Improve Same Worsen Don't Know/No Response

People Are Increasingly Optimistic about Their Economic Future

Overall, how would you rate the current economic conditions in Bangladesh?

12

22%

28%

30%

47%

44%

49%

19%

14%

12%

11%

12%

7%

1%

2%

2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2015

Very Good Somewhat Good Somewhat Bad Very Bad Don't Know/No Response

Thinking about the personal economic situation of you and your family, in the past year has it improved, worsened or stayed the

same?

13

49%

61%

65%

21%

19%

18%

29%

19%

17%

1%

1%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2015

Improved Same Worsened Don't Know/No Response

Thinking some more about the personal economic situation of you and your family, in the coming year do you think it will improve,

worsen or stay the same?

14

60%

63%

72%

16%

13%

10%

14%

10%

5%

10%

14%

12%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2015

Improve Same Worsen Don't Know/No Response

Do you and your family have enough income to afford basic commodities (rice, milk, eggs, fish, dhal*, etc.) in the market?

15

78%

86%

90%

21%

13%

10%

1%

1%

Sep 2014

Jun 2015

Nov 2015

Yes No Don't Know/No Response

*Dhal is the Bengali term for lentils, a regional dietary staple.

Do you expect the price of basic commodities to be higher or lower six months from now?

16

24%

23%

12%

60%

55%

49%

9%

8%

12%

5%

5%

12%

1%

2%

2%

1%

7%

13%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep 2014

Jun 2015

Nov 2015

Much Higher Slightly Higher Same Slightly Lower Much Lower Don't Know/No Response

As the Economy Improves, Democracy Endures

In Bangladesh, if you could only have one or the other, which is more important to you: a democratic system of government or a

prosperous economy?

18

58%

59%

43%

7%

9%

8%

20%

14%

13%

10%

13%

32%

4%

5%

5%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2015

Democracy is Definitely More Important Democracy is Somewhat More Important

Prosperity is Somewhat More Important Prosperity is Definitely More Important

Don't Know/Refused to Answer

In Bangladesh, if you could only have one or the other, which is more important to you: a democratic system of government or a

prosperous economy?(Disaggregated by Age and Gender)

19

Prosperity is

Definitely More

Important to Me

Prosperity is

Somewhat More

Important to Me

Democracy is

Somewhat More

Important to Me

Democracy is

Definitely More

Important to Me

Don't

Know/Refused

Male 27% 13% 7% 49% 4%

Female 37% 12% 9% 37% 6%

18-30 33% 15% 6% 41% 5%

31-40 31% 13% 9% 43% 4%

41-50 35% 11% 8% 41% 6%

51-60 26% 10% 10% 45% 8%

61+ 33% 6% 5% 48% 8%

When you hear the word democracy, what first comes to your mind?(Open-ended)

20

Response Percent

Ensuring the Rights of All Parties 16%

Holding of Elections 15%

Freedom of Expression 11%

Bangladesh Is an Independent Country 6%

Freedom of Movement 2%

Other 10%

Don’t Know/Refused to Answer 40%

Of the following statements, would you say you agree or disagree?

21

November 2015Strongly

Agree

Somewhat

Agree

Somewhat

Disagree

Strongly

Disagree

Don’t

Know/No

Response

In a democracy the economic system

runs badly.11% 29% 36% 24% -

Democracies are indecisive & have

too much quarreling.17% 36% 32% 14% 1%

Democracies aren’t good at

maintaining law & order.10% 28% 39% 22% 1%

Democracy might have problems, but

it is still better than any other form

of government.

58% 30% 9% 3% -

Government Maintains Support

Do you approve or disapprove of the job being done by the…?

23

41%

43%

46%

59%

66%

67%

72%

73%

74%

76%

80%

83%

86%

48%

42%

50%

62%

72%

77%

75%

72%

77%

81%

89%

89%

95%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Opposition

Police

Political Parties

Election Commission

Government

Prime Minister

Deputy Commissioner

High Court

Upazila Parishad

Rapid Action Battalion

Civil Society

Media

Army

(Favorability)

Nov 2015 Jun 2015

For each of the following issues, how would you rate the national government’s performance?

24

47%

56%

58%

58%

59%

59%

59%

61%

62%

65%

67%

67%

68%

70%

72%

72%

73%

78%

84%

49%

25%

37%

39%

24%

39%

19%

12%

21%

27%

27%

23%

30%

24%

23%

17%

25%

17%

13%

4%

19%

5%

3%

17%

2%23%

27%

16%

8%

6%

10%

3%

6%

6%

11%

3%

5%

3%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Fighting Corruption

Democratic Reforms

Employment

Fighting Crime

Housing

Inflation

Land Rights

Ending Ethnic Conflict

Ending Sectarian Conflict

Poverty Reduction

Dealing with Hartals

Keeping the Peace

Electricity Availability

Water Availability

Water and Sanitation

Gender Equality

Infrastructure Development

Healthcare

Education

Good Bad Don't Know/No Response

Can you tell me which party best reflects each of the statements below?

25

38%

35%

39%

29%

30%

34%

25%

23%

22%

28%

22%

21%

20%

27%

24%

35%

21%

22%

19%

24%

41%

44%

41%

45%

47%

32%

54%

55%

59%

48%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

They Consistently Fight Corruption

Their Policies Help the Poor

They Care about People Like Me

They Support Democratic Reform

They Have Good Policies

They are More Religious

They Support Women

They Have Many Young Leaders

They Have Strong Leadership

They are Trustworthy

Awami League Bangladesh Nationalist Party Neither/Don't Know/No Response

Can you tell me which party best reflects each of the statements below?

26

29%

36%

30%

32%

24%

22%

21%

15%

24%

19%

24%

23%

25%

20%

22%

22%

46%

45%

47%

45%

50%

59%

58%

63%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

They Would Maintain Political Stability

They Would End Ethnic Conflict

They Would Strengthen the Nation

They Would Improve the Economy

They Would Improve Security

They Would Improve Healthcare

They Would Improve Infrastructure

They Would Improve Education

Awami League Bangladesh Nationalist Party Neither/Don't Know/No Response

27

What are the three most important problems facing Bangladesh?(Open-ended)

Issue First Mention Second Mention Third Mention Total

Corruption 18% 8% 6% 32%

Security/Law and Order 13% 8% 4% 25%

Unemployment 13% 13% 7% 33%

Political Instability 11% 6% 4% 21%

Transportation/Traffic 11% 10% 7% 28%

Electricity/Gas 5% 6% 4% 15%

Political Reforms 2% 3% 3% 8%

Poverty 2% 4% 5% 11%

Price Hikes 1% 1% 1% 3%

Low Prices for Commodities 1% 1% 0% 2%

Extremism 1% 1% 1% 3%

Don’t Know/Refused to Answer 9% 20% 46% -

What are the three most important problems facing Bangladesh?(Open-ended)

Comparison of Previous Survey Data

28

Issue Nov 2015 Jun 2015 Sep 2014 Jan 2014 Nov 2013

Corruption 18% 24% 20% 36% 20%

Economy* 17% 11% 13% 7% 23%

Security/Law and Order 13% 15% 9% 11% 11%

Political Instability 11% 16% 13% 39% 34%

Transportation/Traffic/Infrastructure 11% 6% 17% 1% 3%

*Economy includes unemployment, poverty, price hikes, and low prices for commodities the from previous slide.

Thinking now about the problem of corruption, can you give me an example of how it impacts your daily life?

29

2%

1%

1%

1%

3%

3%

4%

4%

81%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

Don't Know/No Response

In Business Sector

Bribe School

Bribe Court

To Get Government Service

To Get Healthcare

Bribe Police

To Get a Job

No Impact

Have you ever paid a bribe or given a gift to a government employee or official in order to obtain a

license, permit, or service?

30

4%

96%

4%

96%

Have you ever paid a bribe or given a gift to a government employee or official so as to receive job

consideration?

9%

91%

Have you ever paid a bribe or given a gift to the police or a court?

7%

93%

Have you ever paid a bribe or given a gift to obtain health services in a public clinic or hospital?

Yes No

Elections

Thinking now about elections, when would you like to see the next national parliamentary elections occur?

32

51%

1% 1% 1%3%

36%

40%

2% 2% 1%

5%

43%45%

2% 1% 1%4%

40%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

The ParliamentShould

Complete ItsTerm

Within theNext Four

Years

Within theNext Three

Years

Within theNext Two

Years

Within theNext Year

As Soon asPossible

Nov 2015 Jun 2015 Sep 2014

Agree or Disagree?Voting gives me a chance to influence decision-making in the

country.

33

69%

67%

69%

25%

21%

23%

2%

5%

4%

2%

5%

2%

2%

1%

2%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2015

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree Don't Know/No Response

How likely are you to vote in the next elections?

34

84%

13%

1%1% 1%

Very Likely

Somewhat Likely

Somewhat Unlikely

Very Unlikely

Don't Know/Refusedto Answer

1%

2%

10%

24%

39%

44%

60%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%

Don't Know/No Response

Religious Group/Religious Leaders

Civil Society Organizations

Village/Community Leaders

Political Party/Candidate Platforms

Media

Family Members

Where do you get information related to candidates and political parties?

What or who influences your voting decision the most?

1%

4%

7%

8%

8%

25%

47%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50%

Don't Know/No Response

Civil Society Organizations

Media

Village/Community Leaders

Political Party/Candidate Platforms

No One

Family Members

35

Where do you get information related to candidates and political parties? (Disaggregated by Gender and Age)

36

Male Female 18-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61+

Political Party Platforms 53% 25% 36% 39% 42% 44% 42%

Civil Society 13% 8% 12% 9% 9% 9% 10%

Family 39% 80% 63% 62% 55% 54% 47%

Village/Community

Leaders33% 15% 22% 23% 24% 28% 32%

Religious Groups 3% 1% 2% 2% 2% 2% 3%

Media 49% 37% 44% 42% 47% 43% 34%

Social Media 1% 1% 2% 1%

Don't Know/No Response 0% 1% 0% 1% 1% 1% 2%

What or who influences your voting decision the most?(Disaggregated by Gender and Age)

37

Male Female 18-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61+

Political Party Platforms 12% 4% 6% 9% 8% 9% 12%

Civil Society 6% 2% 4% 4% 4% 3% 4%

Family 23% 71% 51% 49% 47% 40% 28%

Village/Community

Leaders13% 2% 6% 7% 8% 11% 11%

Religious Groups 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 1%

Media 12% 3% 8% 7% 8% 7% 7%

No One 34% 18% 24% 23% 24% 30% 35%

Don't Know/Refused 2% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 4%

From which type of media are you most likely to get your news?

38

59%

34%

2% 1% 1% 1%

TV Word of Mouth Newspapers Radio Internet Social Media

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Which TV station do you most often watch?(Those answering TV, n=1,498)

39

7%

2%

1%

2%

3%

3%

4%

6%

7%

10%

14%

18%

23%

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25%

Don't Know/Refused

Other

MyTV

Ch 24

BanglaVision

Ch 71

ETV

Ch i

RTV

NTV

ATN

BTV

Somoy

Do you believe the Bangladesh Election Commission is completely fair

and independent?

34%

38%

33%

34%

14%

23%

25%

25%

9%

14%

10%

13%

33%

16%

21%

16%

9%

9%

11%

12%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Jan 2014

Sep 2014

Jun 2015

Nov 2015

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know/No Response40

Should a non-party, caretaker government be brought back

before the next parliamentary elections?

77%

68%

67%

68%

18%

25%

22%

23%

5%

8%

11%

9%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Jan 2014

Sep 2014

Jun 2015

Nov 2015

Yes No Don't Know/No Response41

Women & Youth

Agree or Disagree?Women are equally represented in political decision-making

positions in Bangladesh.

43

51%

38%

38%

29%

43%

33%

11%

12%

13%

9%

7%

7%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2014

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree

Agree or disagree?Politicians don’t listen to the needs and ideas of women.

44

16%

23%

28%

22%

12%

Strongly Agree

Somewhat Agree

Somewhat Disagree

Strongly Disagree

Don't Know/NoResponse

If there are two candidates running for office and they are exactly the same aside from the fact that one is a man and one is a

woman, which candidate would you prefer?

45

58%

56%

54%

29%

23%

23%

15%

21%

20%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Sep2014

Jun2015

Nov2015

Man Woman No Difference

If there are two candidates running for office and they are exactly the same aside from the fact that one is a man and one is a

woman, which candidate would you prefer?

46

By Gender Nov 2015 Jun 2015 Sep 2014

Men/Prefer Man 77% 69% 79%

Men/Prefer Woman 5% 10% 7%

Men/No Difference 16% 21% 14%

Women/Prefer Man 31% 42% 34%

Women/Prefer Woman 41% 37% 51%

Women/No Difference 24% 32% 16%

Agree or Disagree? Politicians listen to the needs and ideas of young people.

47

23%

21%

33%

21%

26%

23%

18%

19% 16%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Jun2015

Nov2015

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know/Refused to Answer

Agree or Disagree? Politicians listen to the needs and ideas of young people.

Disaggregated by age

48

20%

20%

20%

24%

23%

20%

22%

23%

19%

17%

24%

24%

23%

18%

18%

20%

17%

14%

24%

26%

16%

16%

20%

14%

17%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

18-30

31-40

41-50

51-60

61+

Strongly Agree Somewhat Agree Somewhat Disagree Strongly Disagree Don't Know/No Response

Monthly Household IncomeLess Than 5,000 taka* 5%

5,001-10,000 taka 35%

10,001-15,000 taka 29%

15,001-20,000 taka 15%

20,001-25,000 taka 7%

25,001-30,000 taka 5%

30,001-35,000 taka 1%

35,001 taka or Greater 3%

DivisionDhaka 32%

Chittagong 20%

Rajshahi 13%

Khulna 11%

Rangpur 11%

Sylhet 7%

Barisal 6%

ReligionMuslim 87%

Hindu 12%

Buddhist 1%

GenderMale 50%

Female 50%

EducationIlliterate 22%

Literate/No Formal Schooling 7%

Class 1-4 15%

Class 5-9 35%

Secondary School

Certificate/Dakhil

9%

Higher Secondary Certificate 8%

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of

Science

3%

Graduate Degree 1%

Age18-30 years 39%

31-40 years 24%

41-50 years 18%

51-60 years 11%

61 Years and Older 8%

Area Urban 27%

Rural 73%

Demographics

*At the time of survey release, one Bangladeshi taka was equivalent to $0.013 USD.

49

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