The recently published “Global Multidimensional Poverty Index 2024: Poverty Amid Conflict,” a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, paints a grim picture in Bangladesh. The country is facing a crisis that requires urgent and strategic intervention, with 4.17 crore people— 6.5 percent of the population—trapped in extreme poverty. Although the country has been welcomed for its economic progress over the last few decades, this report serves as a reminder that many people are still struggling to meet basic needs.
The primary contributor to the country’s multidimensional poverty is poor living standards, which account for 45.1 percent of the index. Many people still now lack housing, sanitation, clean drinking water and electricity— conditions that are necessary to improving quality of life. These deficits continue to root poverty despite the country’s several developmental strides, particularly in rural areas. An inclusive approach to improving conditions must be prioritised if Bangladesh is to make significant progress in alleviating poverty.
Education and health also play an important role, contributing 37.6 percent and 17.3 percent, respectively, to the country’s overall poverty index. Disparity in education is a persistent issue. Many children, particularly in marginalised and rural communities, lack access to quality education. The government must focus on strengthening the education system by improving institutional infrastructure, investing in teacher training and ensuring fair access to resources and facilities.
For Bangladesh to successfully
combat extreme poverty, a coordinated,
multi-sectoral strategy is essential
The health dimension of the poverty index represents another critical area where the country must improve. Despite improvement in healthcare, significant challenges remain, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare services is not unlimited. Malnutrition is a serious issue, with women and children being excessively affected. The report highlights that in South Asia, 27.2 crore people live in households where at least one member suffers from malnutrition. For Bangladesh, addressing malnutrition should be an urgent priority, given its profound effect on individual and economic development.
The findings also place Bangladesh in a global poverty landscape. Of the 110 crore people living in extreme poverty globally, nearly half reside in conflict-affected regions. Although Bangladesh is not a conflict region, the socio-economic inequality represented in the report mirror challenges faced in many low- and middle-income countries. The crisis of extreme poverty is not only a national issue but part of a larger, interconnected global challenge, with South Asia being one of the most severely affected regions.
For Bangladesh to successfully combat extreme poverty, a coordinated, multi-sectoral strategy is essential. First and foremost, the government must strengthen efforts to address the root causes of poverty by investing in infrastructure that improves living conditions for the most vulnerable population. Clean water, sanitation and housing initiatives should be at the forefront of any poverty-reduction strategy. Besides, strengthening the education system to ensure that all children, regardless of background, have access to quality education opportunities is critical. Finally, improving healthcare, especially in rural areas and addressing malnutrition must be prioritised as part of a broader social safety net.
Bangladesh’s ambition to achieve middle-income status cannot be fully realised if such an important portion of its population remains in extreme poverty. The UNDP report’s findings must serve as a compound for action, spurring policymakers, development agencies and civil society to work together to break the cycle of poverty. Only through sustained and comprehensive development strategies may the country ensure that its economic growth transforms into common prosperity for all its citizens. The time for action is now.
