🇧🇩 Bangladesh
Parliamentary republic, Westminster systemClosed autocracy
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Tarique Rahman
Prime Minister · 242 days in office
How the political system works in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is governed as a parliamentary republic with a westminster system. Its prime minister, Tarique Rahman, has led the country since Feb 17, 2026. Bangladesh has had 13 prime ministers since 1971. Under the Regimes of the World classification, it counts as a closed autocracy.
Tenure records
Longest-serving
Sheikh Hasina
7,538 days · 2 terms
Shortest-serving
Fazlul Haque
1 days
Average tenure
1,164 days
Tarique Rahman: 79% below average
Female leaders
2 of 13
First: Khaleda Zia (1991)
Recent prime ministers by days in office
Is a leader's tenure getting longer or shorter in Bangladesh?
Across 14 completed terms, the average prime minister of Bangladesh has served 1,164 days (about 3.2 years). Terms are getting longer: the last five completed terms averaged 1,667 days.
One completed term Average tenure per decade
All prime ministers of Bangladesh
| # | Name | Took office | Left office | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 |  Tarique Rahman | Feb 17, 2026 | Incumbent | 242 |
| 14 |  Sheikh Hasina | Jan 6, 2009 | Aug 5, 2024 | 5,690 |
| 13 |  Fakhruddin Ahmed | Jan 12, 2007 | Jan 6, 2009 | 725 |
| 12 |  Fazlul Haque | Jan 11, 2007 | Jan 12, 2007 | 1 |
| 11 |  Iajuddin Ahmed | Oct 29, 2006 | Jan 11, 2007 | 74 |
| 10 |  Khaleda Zia | Oct 10, 2001 | Oct 29, 2006 | 1,845 |
| 9 | Sheikh Hasina | Jun 23, 1996 | Jul 15, 2001 | 1,848 |
| 8 | Khaleda Zia | Mar 20, 1991 | Mar 30, 1996 | 1,837 |
| 7 |  Kazi Zafar Ahmed | Aug 12, 1989 | Dec 6, 1990 | 481 |
| 6 |  Moudud Ahmed | Mar 27, 1988 | Aug 12, 1989 | 503 |
| 5 |  Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury | Jul 9, 1986 | Mar 27, 1988 | 627 |
| 4 | Shah Azizur Rahman | Apr 15, 1979 | Mar 24, 1982 | 1,074 |
| 3 |  Muhammad Mansur Ali | Jan 25, 1975 | Aug 15, 1975 | 202 |
| 2 |  Sheikh Mujibur Rahman | Jan 12, 1972 | Jan 24, 1975 | 1,108 |
| 1 |  Tajuddin Ahmad | Apr 11, 1971 | Jan 12, 1972 | 276 |
Officeholder history via Wikidata. Multiple rows for one person indicate separate terms.
Frequently asked questions
- Who is the Prime Minister of Bangladesh?
- Tarique Rahman has been Prime Minister of Bangladesh since Feb 17, 2026.
- How is the leader of Bangladesh chosen?
- Bangladesh is governed as a parliamentary republic with a westminster system. Its prime minister, Tarique Rahman, has led the country since Feb 17, 2026. Bangladesh has had 13 prime ministers since 1971. Under the Regimes of the World classification, it counts as a closed autocracy.
- Who is the longest-serving Prime Minister of Bangladesh?
- Sheikh Hasina, with 7,538 days in office across 2 terms.
- Are leaders serving longer or shorter terms in Bangladesh?
- Across 14 completed terms, the average prime minister of Bangladesh has served 1,164 days (about 3.2 years). Terms are getting longer: the last five completed terms averaged 1,667 days.
- Has Bangladesh ever had a female prime minister?
- Yes. Bangladesh has had 2 female prime ministers. The first was Khaleda Zia, who took office in 1991.