Family Card: Can it be a Structural Reset for Bangladesh’s Social Protection?
Bangladesh’s social protection system has always carried two truths at once. On paper, it is large, diverse, and politically important. On the ground, it is often messy, fragmented, and sometimes unfair. That tension is now back in the spotlight with the government’s...
From Cheap to Competitive: Rethinking Bangladesh’s RMG Strategy After 2026
For decades, the RMG sector has been the heartbeat of Bangladesh’s economy, contributing over 80% of our export earnings and providing a livelihood for millions. However, as we stand on the threshold of November 2026, the year of our graduation from LDC status, the...
Sustainability in Bangladesh’s RMG Sector: Current Practices and Challenges
The Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry has been pivotal to the economic development of Bangladesh. Accounting for over 80% of the country’s total export earnings, it is the second-largest garment exporter globally. However, it is also among the most polluting sectors...
The Economy the Next Government Inherits, and What It Must Do Differently
Introduction: Beyond recovery, towards purposeful growth Bangladesh’s economy shows signs of stabilisation as reserves improve and imports ease, but this apparent calm obscures deeper weaknesses. Growth has slowed, inflation remains strikingly stubborn, investor...
The Urban Poverty Paradox: Rising Inequality amid Economic Growth
Bangladesh often draws attention as an example of development success, with extensive literature exploring its poverty dynamics and underlying drivers. The country managed to more than halve its poverty rate and sustain almost consistent year-on-year growth within...
The Illusion of Recovery: Bangladesh’s Economy on the Eve of 2026
Bangladesh’s economy seems to be stabilizing at first blush. Reserve levels have climbed, imports have slowed, and officials are finding some signs of resilience in the aftermath of a tumultuous period. For a country accustomed to absorbing shocks, this narrative of...
A New Social Contract for Workers in Bangladesh
At dawn in Gazipur, when garment factory lights flicker on, and the streets begin to stir, thousands of workers make their way through narrow lanes with lunch boxes in hand and hope that today will be kinder than yesterday. The workers’ lives are built on effort,...
Bangladesh’s Poverty Reversal: Causes and Policy Priorities
Bangladesh's poverty rate fell from about half the population in the 1990s to one-fifth by 2019. However, this progress proved fragile. COVID-19 and related measures disrupted jobs, enterprises, remittance flows, and supply chains. Estimates show sharp, temporary...
From Emissions to Actions: Transport Commitments in Bangladesh’s NDC 3.0
Bangladesh’s transport sector stands at a critical juncture, where the shift to green mobility is no longer a choice but a necessity for climate-focused and sustainable development Every day, commuters in major cities in Bangladesh navigate heavy traffic, surrounded...
COP30: A Milestone Marked by Missed Chances
When the 30th session of the COP30 concluded on November 22, 2025, in Belém, Brazil, many left the Amazon-flanked venue with a sense that the summit had once again delivered more promise than payoff. On paper, the so-called Belém Package, a bundle of 29 decisions...
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