Examining the distinct features of bangladesh’s development: Interactions between growth, poverty, and social development

Abstract

Bangladesh has made considerable progress in reducing the incidence of poverty and in improving social development outcomes, albeit with rising income inequality. In this chapter, it is argued that Bangladesh’s distinct development trajectory lies in its consistency. In nearly half a century since Bangladesh’s independence, there have been no significant reversals of fortune. Bangladesh is also a case in point of a country that, at the aggregate level, has made significant progress in selected areas of social development despite having a low level of per capita income. A similar disconnect between income and social development is found at the disaggregated district level. Other distinct features of Bangladesh’s development thus far are discussed. Attention is also given to the sources of this progress through a political economy lens.