Country Profile: Bangladesh

Bangladesh is located in Southern Asia, bordered by India to the north, west and east, Myanmar to the southeast, and the Bay of Bengal to the south. The countrys total land area is 143,998 sq. km1, and occupies one of the largest river deltas in the world. Its topography is comprised of fertile alluvial plains and an extensive network of rivers. The country became a sovereign nation in 1971 following a nine month war of liberation. Since independence, efforts to lower population growth rates through effective family planning, community advocacy and education have been very successful. Currently, with a population of approximately 152.5 million, Bangladesh is among the most densely populated countries in the world2. The literacy rate stands at 56%3 (15 years and above) and 98% speak the Bangla language. The majority of the population are Muslim (around 88%), with the remaining percentage a mixture of Christian, Buddhist and Hindu. Administratively, Bangladesh is divided into 7 Divisions, 64 Districts, 7 City Corporations, 308 Municipalities, 481 Upazillas, 599 Thanas and 4498 Unions. Climate The climate is subtropical and governed by the annual monsoon (June to September) which brings heavy rainfall to most parts of the country, with an average summer temperature of approximately 27C (80F). Winter is mild and relatively dry with an average temperature of approximately 16C (53F). Due to its unique geographic location, Bangladesh remains one of the worlds most environmentally vulnerable countries and is susceptible to devastating cyclones and floods. With rising sea levels, low-lying plains are exposed to flooding and salinization. Concurrently, global climate change threatens to dramatically increase the frequency of major cyclones. Climate change adaptation strategies have been widely adopted in Bangladesh and significant investments in disaster preparedness, including the development of early warning systems and the creation of a network of flood and cyclone shelters have been prioritized. These efforts have resulted in a significant decrease in the number of lives lost each year. However, natural disasters are still responsible for loss of livelihoods and property, which most heavily impacts the poor. Improvements in disaster mitigation and recovery work targeting the most vulnerable populations remain an urgent priority. Trade and Industry Bangladesh has made significant economic progress over the past decade. Annual GDP growth averages 6.5% in recent years and its per capita income was US$ 7004 doubling in less than 30 years. The countrys economy is in transition from an agrarian to industrial base. Although the share of agriculture within GDP has decreased steadily
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CIA World Fact Book (accessed 2012) Population and Housing Census 2011 3 World Bank Bangladesh at a glance (2010 data) 4 World Bank Bangladesh at a glance (2010 data)

in recent years, currently contributing less than 20% of GDP, it still employs 47% of the working population, and a large share of the broader service sector remains dependent on agricultural outputs. Remittance inflows have more than doubled in the last five years, now accounting for over 10% of GDP. It has continued to grow during the global financial crisis, playing a major role in reducing poverty and increasing economic growth by driving consumer spending with a strong positive effect on the balance of payments. The national poverty headcount has declined from 56.6 per cent in 1991-1992 to 31.5 per cent in 2010, while the extreme poverty rate declined from 41 to 17.6 per cent over the same period.5 This progress was possible largely due to the relatively inclusive growth patterns and overall robust economic growth, accompanied by gradual structural transformation with a greater share occupied by manufacturing and services. The countrys principal industries include ready-made garments, textiles, chemical fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, tea processing, sugar and leather goods. Principal minerals produced include natural gas, coal, white clay and glass sand. Despite the overall positive economic outlook, Bangladesh faces a number of economic challenges. In the near term, the Government is confronting a series of macroeconomic issues including a fiscal deficit of around 5% of GDP and growing balance of payments pressures6. Equally, the World Economic Forums Global Competitiveness Report identified inadequate infrastructure, inefficient government bureaucracy, corruption and political instability as critical barriers to business and investment in Bangladesh. While the government has invested in the expansion of oil and coal fired power-generation capacity, as well as awarding contracts for gas exploration, chronic power and gas shortages increasingly constrain industrial growth, and levels of investment in these sectors remain low. Bangladesh and Development Bangladeshs Human Development Index (HDI) value for 2011 was 0.500, placing the country in the low human development category, and 146th out of 187 countries and territories7. Between 1980 and 2011, its HDI value increased (on a comparable basis) from 0.303 to 0.500, an increase of some 65 per cent. The UNDP Gender Inequality Index (GII) for 2011 ranked Bangladesh 112th among 146 countries, with a value of 0.5508. The base data for 2011 showed life expectancy at birth was 68.9 years, mean years of schooling was 4.8 years and expected years of schooling 8.1 years. The country continues to play a vital role in international and regional forums and is an active member of the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC). The Bangladesh Constitution is committed to the equality of rights of all citizens, yet there are still significant sections of the population who are unable to fully realize their rights. The Government recognizes the issues and challenges and is working to ensure that the most marginalized and

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Household Income and Expenditure Survey 2010 EIU Report, August 2012 7 UNDP Human Development Report 2011 8 UNDP Human Development Report 2011

vulnerable groups women, minorities, children and others are not left out of the countrys development agenda. The Bangladesh UN System is working in partnership, with the Government of Bangladesh and with other development partners, to achieve the countrys national priorities. The UN developed an inter-agency United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF), which responds to the 7 thematic areas of development that are deemed most pressing in the country known as the UNDAF 7 Pillars: UNDAF Pillar 1: Democratic Governance and Human Rights UNDAF Pillar 2: Pro-Poor Economic Growth with Equity UNDAF Pillar 3: Social Services for Human Development UNDAF Pillar 4: Food Security and Nutrition UNDAF Pillar 5: Climate Change, Environment, and Disaster Risk Reduction UNDAF Pillar 6: Pro-Poor Urban Development UNDAF Pillar 7: Gender Equality and Womens Advancement

The UNDAF was developed after a joint MDG progress assessment with the Government of Bangladesh, and aligns with the countrys development plans to ensure a strategic and harmonised approach to development in the country. The UNDAF 2012-2016 and the UNDAF Action Plan 2012-2016 are both available on this website. Bangladesh and the MDGs Bangladesh has made remarkable progress in many key areas. Notably, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received a UN award at the 2010 UN General Assembly commemorating Bangladeshs remarkable achievements toward attaining MDG 4: reduce child mortality (46 deaths per 1000 live births in 2011 compared to 146 in 1990). More recently, in the South Asia region, Bangladesh and Maldives have both achieved the Millennium Development Goal of reducing by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate (U5MR). Among countries of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) with a large population size, Bangladesh clearly stands out with the highest Annual Rate of Reduction of U5MR (on average a 5.3% annual rate of reduction between 1990 and 2011). Positive results have also been noted for MDG-1 on poverty alleviation, MDG-2 on universal primary education, MDG-3 on gender equality and MDG -5 on reducing maternal mortality (falling from 574 deaths per 100, 000 live births in 1990 to 194 in 2010). Specific successes include the net enrolment in primary education (94.9 per cent in 2010), gender parity in education, immunization coverage, controlling tuberculosis, and the low prevalence of HIV/AIDS9. However, several MDGs challenges remain. These include: weak nutritional indicators, notably children underfive who are underweight (45 per cent in 2009); completion of primary education (only 67.2 per cent of those enrolled in grade one complete grade 5); employment participation rates, especially for women (59.3 per cent
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GoB, MDG Progress Report 2011

overall in 2010); and a number of environmental weaknesses deforestation, access to water and slum conditions in urban areas10. In the area of womens empowerment, Bangladesh has undertaken several positive initiatives in recent years to establish womens human rights and gender equality. The government has announced a National Womens Development Policy (NWDP) to promote and enhance equality for women. The NWDP aims to promote economic opportunities for women and broader empowerment through participation in decision making and gender equality. Women's participation in politics has significantly increased with successive elections. Over the years, womens share of seats in parliament was 12.7% in 199195, 13% 12.4% in 19962000 and 19% in 2001 06. As of October 2012, the total number of women in parliament is 70. Among them, 20 MPs are directly elected (including Prime Minister, Opposition Leader and the new MP at Gazipur 4 constituency) and more than 50 women MPs hold reserved seats. Women now occupy key high-level positions in the High and Supreme Courts, police, and the armed services. In UN Peacekeeping, Bangladesh remains a leading troop contributor with more than 10,000 personnel deployed in UN missions11 worldwide. The country now also contributes the largest number of female police to UN peacekeeping operations who play a critical role protecting women and girls, and providing psychological and emotional support for victims of sexual violence. Finally, to ensure the achievement of the MDGs and national development objectives, it is necessary to not only focus on the crosscutting issues of good governance, gender and equitable economic growth, but also identify emerging issues such as food and nutrition security, rapid urbanization, and climate change.

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GoB, MDG Progress Report 2011 Armed Forces Division, Bangladesh