Assessing the Impact of Good Governance on Sustainable Development: Bangladesh Perspective

Most. Rukshana Parvin

Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Rajshahi, Rajshahi-6205, Bangladesh.

Abstract

This study examines the impact of good governance on sustainable development in Bangladesh, focusing on how governance quality influences the country’s progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Drawing on key dimensions of good governance—such as accountability, transparency, rule of law, effectiveness of public institutions, and control of corruption—the study explores their role in shaping economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability. Using a mixed-method approach, the research combines secondary data from national and international sources, including the World Bank’s Worldwide Governance Indicators and Bangladesh government development reports, with qualitative insights from policy documents and existing literature. The study operationalizes sustainable development through the SDG Index score and selected SDG indicators (poverty headcount ratio, primary school completion rate, under-five mortality rate, and access to improved sanitation), while governance quality is measured through six WGI dimensions: voice and accountability, political stability, government effectiveness, regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption. The findings suggest that weaknesses in institutional capacity, bureaucratic inefficiency, and persistent corruption significantly constrain sustainable development outcomes in Bangladesh, despite notable progress in poverty reduction and social sector development. Correlation analysis reveals a statistically significant positive relationship between government effectiveness and SDG performance (r = 0.72, p < 0.05), while control of corruption shows a moderate positive association with development outcomes (r = 0.58, p < 0.10). The study further reveals that improved governance practices contribute positively to service delivery, policy implementation, and citizen participation, which are essential for long-term development sustainability. The paper argues that strengthening democratic institutions, enhancing transparency mechanisms, and ensuring accountability in public administration are critical for accelerating Bangladesh’s sustainable development trajectory. The study concludes with policy recommendations aimed at promoting good governance as a central strategy for achieving inclusive and sustainable development in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Good Governance; Sustainable Development; Bangladesh; Accountability; Institutional Effectiveness; SDGs; Public institutions

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