2008年-世界发展银行全球_Bangladesh_-_Poverty_Assessment____________for_Bangladesh___Creating_Opportunities_and_Bridging_the____________East-West_Divide_176页_14mb

Summary of Poverty Assessment for Bangladesh

Core Content

This document presents a comprehensive poverty assessment for Bangladesh, focusing on the country's progress in reducing poverty, the role of economic growth and inequality, and the impact of regional disparities and shocks. It is part of a World Bank report published in October 2008, highlighting the success of Bangladesh in poverty reduction, the challenges it still faces, and the policy recommendations for further improvement.

Main Points

• Poverty Reduction Success: Bangladesh has made significant strides in reducing poverty, with the headcount rate dropping from 57% in the early 1990s to 40% in 2005. This was largely driven by robust economic growth and stable inequality.

• Economic Growth and Inequality: The country experienced respectable GDP growth averaging over 5% annually from 2000 to 2005. Inequality, measured by the Gini coefficient, remained stable during this period.

• Impact of Shocks: Recent natural disasters and rising food prices, especially rice prices, have had adverse effects on poverty reduction. These shocks have partially offset the gains made through economic growth, highlighting the need for safety nets.

• Regional Disparities: There is a notable east-west economic divide, with the eastern divisions (Dhaka, Chittagong, Sylhet) experiencing faster poverty reduction compared to the western divisions (Rajshahi, Barisal, Khulna). The report suggests that natural barriers such as rivers and lack of growth poles contribute to this divide.

• Labor Market Transformations: The labor market has undergone significant changes, with a decline in agricultural employment and an increase in non-agricultural jobs. Salaried employment and self-employment in the nonfarm sector have grown, indicating a shift towards more productive jobs.

• Gender Dynamics: Women's participation in the labor market has increased, with notable gains in education and income. However, the labor market remains gender-segregated, with women still facing barriers to wage work and self-employment.

• Policy Recommendations: The report recommends promoting growth through job creation and productivity, improving connectivity and human capital in lagging regions, facilitating migration, increasing women's labor force participation, sustaining fertility reduction, and enhancing access to education and health services. It also emphasizes the need for a well-coordinated safety net system to cushion against shocks.

Key Information

Poverty Headcount Rates (2000-2005)

• National: Upper poverty line dropped from 48.9% to 40.0%, lower poverty line from 34.3% to 25.1%.
• Urban: Upper poverty line from 35.2% to 28.4%, lower poverty line from 19.9% to 14.6%.
• Rural: Upper poverty line from 52.3% to 43.8%, lower poverty line from 37.9% to 28.6%.

Economic Growth

• GDP growth averaged above 5% annually between 2000 and 2005.
• Private consumption growth was the highest during this period.
• Consumption growth played a central role in poverty reduction, with real per capita consumption expenditure increasing at an average annual rate of 2.3%.

Regional Inequality

• The east-west divide has widened since the early 1990s, with the eastern regions benefiting more from economic growth.
• Natural barriers like rivers and lack of growth poles contribute to the isolation of western regions.
• The Gini index of per capita real consumption increased by 13% nationally between 2000 and 2005, reflecting growing absolute inequality.

Labor Market Changes

• Agricultural employment declined, while services and manufacturing employment increased.
• Daily wage laborers, especially in agriculture, remain a significant portion of the labor force.
• Women's labor force participation, education, and income have increased, but the gender gap persists, particularly in wage work and self-employment.

Safety Nets and Vulnerability

• Safety net programs have been important in protecting the poor from shocks.
• The report emphasizes the need for improved coordination, targeting, and coverage of these programs.
• The impact of food price shocks on the poorest households is significant, underscoring the importance of such safety nets.

Human Development

• Bangladesh is on course to meet the MDGs for infant and child mortality.
• Gender parity in primary and secondary education has already been achieved.
• Improvements in sanitation and housing quality reflect broader gains in the standard of living for the poor.

Conclusion

Bangladesh has made substantial progress in poverty reduction, driven by economic growth and structural changes in the labor market. However, the country still faces challenges in sustaining this progress, particularly in economically lagging regions and in protecting the poor from recurring shocks. Addressing regional disparities, enhancing human capital, and strengthening safety net systems are crucial for continued poverty reduction and human development.