National
Poverty Rate in the Country Drops Over 5% reports BBS
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) released its Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2022 report, revealing significant advancements in the country’s socioeconomic landscape. The HIES 2022, marked by improved data collection methodologies, unveiled a substantial rise in the average monthly income, soaring to Tk. 32,422 in 2022 from Tk. 15,988 in 2016 and Tk. 11,479 in 2010.
Key Highlights:
Enhanced Living Standards: The data showcased a remarkable improvement in household living standards. Access to electricity surged to 99.3%, literacy rates rose to 74.0%, and 92.3% of households now have improved toilet facilities.
Income Growth: Average monthly household income witnessed a substantial increase, reflecting economic progress. The nominal income escalated from Tk. 15,988 in 2016 to Tk. 32,422 in 2022.
Expenditure Patterns: Total monthly household expenditure also increased, reaching Tk. 31,500 in 2022 from Tk. 15,715 in 2016. Non-food expenditures gradually rose, constituting 54.2% of total expenses in 2022.
Changing Consumption Patterns: The report highlighted a shift in consumption patterns, with average rice consumption decreasing, while vegetable and meat consumption increased. The average protein intake rose to 72.5 grams per person per day in 2022.
Poverty Reduction: Notably, poverty rates exhibited a significant decline. Using the upper poverty line, the headcount rate dropped to 18.7% in 2022 from 24.3% in 2016. Extreme poverty, using the lower poverty line, saw a remarkable decrease to 5.6% in 2022 from 12.9% in 2016.
Regional Disparities: Barishal Division reported the highest headcount rates in 2022, emphasizing regional disparities in poverty. Dhaka exhibited the lowest headcount rates among divisions.
Income Inequality: The Gini coefficient indicated a dispersion in income inequality, rising to 0.499 at the national level in 2022 from 0.482 in 2016. Urban areas experienced a more substantial increase than rural areas.
Financial Inclusion: Household financial inclusion demonstrated improvement, with 14.1% of households reporting at least one member opening a bank account in the last 12 months.
Social Security Programs: The coverage of Social Security Programs (SSP) significantly increased, encompassing 37.6% of households and 50.0% of SSP beneficiaries in HIES 2022.
Gender Dynamics: The data revealed a dominance of female labor force engagement in the non-agriculture sector in urban areas, highlighting evolving gender roles.
Food Security: The report indicated that 21.11% of the population experienced moderate or severe food insecurity, with a higher prevalence in rural areas compared to urban areas.
The HIES 2022 report signifies Bangladesh’s substantial progress in various socioeconomic indicators, illustrating a positive trajectory towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.
National
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman Appointed Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh
Professor Dr. Md. Mizanur Rahman, a distinguished academic from the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka, has been appointed the new Vice-Chancellor of Northern University Bangladesh (NUB). The Ministry of Education confirmed the appointment through an official notification issued on Sunday (23 November), signed by Sultan Ahmed, Assistant Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, on behalf of the President.
The notice states that, with the approval of the Honorable President and Chancellor, Professor Rahman will serve a four-year term as Vice-Chancellor under Section 31(1) of the Private University Act, 2010. He will receive all salary, allowances, and benefits as determined by the university, and his duties will commence immediately in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Professor Rahman has an outstanding academic background. He secured First Class First in his Honors degree from the University of Dhaka’s Marketing Department, achieving record-breaking marks. He completed his MBA with dual majors in Finance and Marketing at Dalhousie University in Canada, graduating in the top 1% of his class. He later earned his Master’s degree (First Class Second) and PhD from the same department at the University of Dhaka.
During his illustrious 35-year career, he has served as Chairman of the Department of Marketing at the University of Dhaka for three years and was elected to both the Syndicate and Senate of the university. He also served as Dean at Daffodil International University and has taught as an adjunct professor at North South University, BRAC University, and Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Professor Rahman has an extensive body of research, with over 35 publications, including four international papers and three research monographs. Several MPhil and PhD scholars have completed their degrees under his supervision. He also served for many years as Vice President of the Dhaka University Marketing Alumni Association.
Outside academia, he has contributed significantly to the corporate sector and educational governance. He has worked as an independent director and strategic adviser to various reputed organizations and has served on the governing bodies of several well-known colleges in Dhaka. He currently holds the position of Chairman of the North South Society.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted light to moderate rain or thundershowers accompanied by temporary gusty winds at most places across the Rangpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas may experience moderately heavy to very heavy rainfall, according to their latest weather bulletin released on Thursday.
Day and night temperatures are expected to remain nearly unchanged across the country.
The highest rainfall in the country over the past 24 hours was recorded in Kumarkhali, with 104mm of rain by 6 a.m. on Thursday.
The axis of the monsoon trough extends from India’s Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal to Assam, passing through Bangladesh, with one of its associated troughs stretching into the North Bay of Bengal.
The monsoon remains active over Bangladesh and moderate to strong over the North Bay region.
The Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has forecasted that the mild heat wave currently affecting parts of the country, including the capital, is expected to subside in most areas within the next 24 hours, starting from 9 am today.
“A mild heat wave is sweeping across the divisions of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, and Sylhet, as well as the districts of Jashore, Chuadanga, and Kushtia. It is likely to ease in most regions,” the department reported.
In addition, BMD predicted light to moderate rainfall or thundershowers, accompanied by temporary gusty winds, across most of Rangpur, Rajshahi, Dhaka, Mymensingh, Khulna, Barishal, Chattogram, and Sylhet divisions. Some areas are expected to experience moderate to very heavy rainfall.
Temperatures across the country may drop by 1-2 degrees Celsius during both day and night.
On Monday, Dinajpur in the Rangpur division recorded the country’s highest temperature at 38.6°C, while Bandarban in the Chattogram division saw the lowest temperature at 24.6°C early today.
Meanwhile, rainfall recorded in the past 24 hours, ending at 6 am today, reached 66 mm in Nikli of Dhaka Division.
The sunset in Dhaka is at 5:53 pm today, and sunrise is expected at 5:49 am tomorrow.
