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One in every four people in Bangladesh is living in multidimensional poverty, according to a report. The Mmatest Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2019 report is the latest in this regard.
The data reveals that 24.05% of the population — approximately 39.77 million individuals — are classified as MPI poor, facing deprivations in education, health, and living standards.
Rural areas are disproportionately affected, with 26.96% of the rural population living in multidimensional poverty, nearly double the urban rate of 13.48%.
General Economics Division (GED) organised a dissemination seminar on the report “National Multidimensional Poverty Index for Bangladesh” on Thursday at the Planning Commission.
Professor Anisuzzaman Chowdhury, special assistant to the chief adviser was present at the event as the chief guest while Monzur Hossain, member (Secretary), GED presided over the session.
Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman, PPRC, and A K Enamul Haque, director general, BIDS, were the distinguish discussants.
In the event, Aleya Akhter, secretary, Statistics and Informatics Division (SID), Ministry of Planning, Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, participated as special guests, and Edwin Koekkoek, First Counsellor and Acting Head of Development Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union attended as a Guest of Honor.
The Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) has been estimated for the first time in Bangladesh using data from the 2019 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS).
The findings show little difference in MPI scores between male-headed (0.106) and female-headed (0.105) households, indicating similar vulnerability levels across gender of household heads.
Significant regional disparities persist. Sylhet Division recorded the highest rate of multidimensional poverty at 37.70%, while five districts — Bandarban, Cox’s Bazar, Sunamganj, Rangamati, and Bhola — reported the highest district-level rates, each with more than 40% of residents living in multidimensional poverty.
Children bear a heavier burden of deprivation, with 28.70% living in multidimensional poverty compared to 21.44% of adults.
The MPI, developed jointly by the Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), provides a comprehensive measure of poverty beyond income, highlighting the complex realities faced by millions across the country.
MPI serves as an additional indicator that complements income-based poverty measures by capturing the multiple deprivations people experience in their daily lives.
Since the MPI provides an in-depth examination of poverty across key dimensions, including education, health, and standard of living, this will help us track and monitor targets of SDG Goal 1.
The measure considers 10 standard indicators that are followed worldwide, along with one additional indicator, “internet access,” following comprehensive stakeholder consultations. This publication is the result of a collaborative effort involving national and international stakeholders, including the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), UNICEF, Oxford Multidimensional Poverty and Development Initiative (OPHI), and technical experts.
In his written speech, Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud said that MPI as a multidimensional approach—one that considers indicators such as education, health, nutrition, and living standards—can better guide the design of impactful development programs and services.
He emphasised the utilisation of the MPI as a key innovative tool for tackling poverty to identify the most disadvantaged areas and population groups to eradicate poverty in all forms for achieving the SDGS.
The guests and discussants highlighted the importance of the development of the National MPI periodically and emphasized the utilization of the MPI as a key innovative tool to eradicate poverty in all forms for achieving the SDGS.
In his speech, Anisuzzaman Chowdhury highlighted MPI as a new and innovative strategy for eradicate poverty through identifying the most vulnerable population.
He also put a necessity to integrate MPI into policymaking and planning processes and strengthen the institutional capacity to apply this approach meaningfully and sustainably.
The chief guest also urges to carry out further studies to understand the causes behind higher poverty in some districts. He congratulated GED and other institutions and people who are involved in the preparation of this report.
The chair, Monzur Hossain, stressed the need for monitoring MPI on a regular basis and said that GED will publish the report in the future as well.
In building a more equitable society, he said, this publication will serve as a key reference for policymakers, researchers, development practitioners and academics those who are working to combat poverty and improve the quality of life for all Bangladeshis.
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