Bangladesh Research Output Grows, Yet Trails India and Pakistan in Total Volume

Bangladesh's scientific research paper publications increased by 20.76% in 2025 compared to the previous year. However, in total number of publications in Asia, the country still ranks behind India and Pakistan. This information comes from the annual report published by the online magazine Scientific Bangladesh.

In 2025, the total number of research papers published by Bangladeshi researchers reached 18,613, up from 15,413 in 2024. India recorded 364,782 publications with a 9.01% growth rate, while Pakistan had 45,260 publications with 6.80% growth. Bangladesh's growth rate was higher than both, but the absolute number remains significantly lower.

The top three research fields in Bangladesh in 2025 were engineering, computer science, and medical science. No new patents were registered in the country during the year.

Top Institutions and Researchers

Dhaka University led with 1,731 publications. It was followed by Daffodil International University, BUET, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Jahangirnagar University, Rajshahi University, BRAC University, North South University, Khulna University of Engineering and Technology, and American International University-Bangladesh. For the first time, researchers from the National University also appeared in the ranking with 70 publications.

The top three individual researchers were M. Firoz Mridha from AIUB, Ahmed Wasif Reza from East West University, and Muhammad Tariqul Islam from Khulna University. Bangladeshi researchers published in 11 languages, with the majority in English. No research papers were published in Bangla.

Reasons for Low Research Output and Funding

Professor Mohammad Mojibur Rahman of Dhaka University's Institute of Education and Research said research is not valued in society, state, education, health, or politics. Decisions are often taken based on personal, political, or foreign interests rather than research findings, discouraging researchers. He also pointed out the lack of adequate funding for research.

Among the top 15 funding organizations, 9 were foreign. The leading domestic funders were the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Education. The report noted very limited participation from other ministries, especially Industry and Agriculture.