| Bangladesh | UK |
| Population (millions): | 156 | 61 |
| Poverty (% of population below national poverty line): | 45% | 14% |
| Age structure: | 0-14 years (35%),
15-64 years (61%),
65 years + (4%) | 0-14 years (16.7%),
15-64 years (67.1%),
65 years + (16.2%) |
| Life expectancy: | 60 years | 79 years |
| Population growth rate: | 1.3% | 0.28% |
| HIV/AIDS (% of adult population infected) : | less than 0.1%. | 0.2% |
| Religions: | Muslim (83%),
Hindu (16%),
other (1%) | Christian (71.6%),
Muslim (2.7%),
Hindu (1%),
other (1.6%),
unspecified or none (23.1%) |
| Literacy: | 48% | 99% |
| Gross Domestic Product1 | $84 billion | $2.68 trillion |
| Gross National Income per capita2: | $1,440 | $36,130 |
| Labour force by occupation: | Agriculture (63%),
Industry (11%),
Services (26%) | Agriculture (1.4%),
Industry (18.2%),
Services (80.4%) |
| Unemployment rate: | 2.5% | 5.6% |
| Household income consumption3: | Lowest 10% (4.3%),
Highest 10% (26.6%) | Lowest 10% (2.1%),
Highest 10% (28.5%) |
Bangladesh has seen good economic growth over the last 20 years. This growth has been accompanied by a decline in population growth which has led to a doubling of per capita GDP.
However, despite good economic growth, the poor are not benefiting. Bangladesh is still one of the worlds least developed countries. About 45% of the population live below the national poverty line; about two-thirds of them in extreme poverty.
In addition, recent challenges have slowed the country’s progress in reducing poverty and increasing numbers of people are falling back into poverty.
Climate change is having an increasing impact on the lives and livelihoods of millions of poor people. Bangladesh is top of the Global Climate Risk Index 2009 with a death toll of 4,729 last year due to natural calamities, and loss of property worth more than $10 billion. In a country where the majority of the population lives in poverty, with no savings or resources to fall back on, this is bad news.
The global financial crisis is also having a significant impact on employment and poverty. The Bangladesh economy is vulnerable as 70% of its export earnings (and the livelihoods of much of its population) are dependent on one product: ready-made garments. Agriculture employs over 60% of the workforce but contributes only 20% to the economy. Thus, poor agricultural workers do not earn enough for a decent livelihood. Other income generating opportunities need to be developed to supplement their income.
Poverty is also increasingly geographically concentrated. Poverty at the national level does not reflect the significantly different poverty levels between rural and urban areas and across districts. 80% of the poor live in rural areas and most of them live in extreme poverty. Protecting the poor is a top priority. The focus should be on growth-promoting activities (infrastructure, trade, health and education) in line with the changing climate and global economy, and on strengthening the social safety nets to protect the poor.
Trade can play an important role in alleviating poverty. The challenge is to empower the poor and disadvantaged rural population to engage in trade and exploit the opportunities available. Traidcraft Exchange’s work in Bangladesh is focused in some of the poorest areas and is empowering poor and disadvantaged people to engage in trade and exploit the opportunities available.
Notes
1: GDP is the value of goods and services that a country's citizens produce. GNP is one measure of the economic condition of a country.
2: GNI is a country’s gross national income. GNI divided by total population gives GNI per capita.This indicator represents the well being of the population. However, it is an average that does not take into account inequalities of income within a country.
3: The percentage of total national household income held by the bottom 10% of households compared to the top 10% of households.
