Quality of Growth in Bangladesh: Some New Evidence

Abstract

In this short note, we take a fresh look at some aspects of quality of growth in Bangladesh – the role of growth in reducing poverty, generating employment and containing inequality. Our analysis is primarily based on the measures of elasticities using both primary and secondary data. We find that the elasticity of poverty with respect to national income has been declining very fast over time, indicating the gradual ineffectiveness of growth in reducing poverty. While inequality in income and consumption has been increasing, the elasticity of Gini with respect to national income has been declining. It indicates that economic growth has now been associated with lesser inequality. We also shed light on the debate of ―jobless growth‖ and cast doubt on this proposition as we find that the income-elasticity of employment has been increasing over time.