Progress in Bangladesh: Steady Growth and Human Development
Bangladesh, famously called a developmental “basket case” by Henry Kissinger, has made significant and enduring growth over the last three decades. The country achieved developmental strides despite rampant corruption, government instability, and devastating weather-related disasters. During the same period, Asian countries of similar developmental status, such as India, experienced higher levels of economic growth, albeit lower levels of human development (Economist, 2012). Bangladesh's unique advancement in global standing is referred to as the Bangladesh “conundrum,” “paradox,” or “miracle.” My research identifies non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government policy, and export-led industrialization as the factors most influential to socio-economic progress. Analysis of these factors demonstrates that reduction of inequality, namely based on gender, was the overarching reason for improvements in human development.
" My research identifies non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government policy, and export-led industrialization as the factors most influential to socio-economic progress. Analysis of these factors demonstrates that reduction of inequality, namely based on gender, was the overarching reason for improvements in human development."
In 2011 Bangladesh was ranked third out of 178 countries in the UN Human Development Report for improvements in education, health, and inequality over a 20 year period (UNDP, 2011). In particular, Bangladesh has done exceedingly well with increases in female secondary schooling, declining fertility rates, lower rates of infant mortality, and increased rates of child immunization. Changes in certain social indicators coincided with the timing of NGO facilitated interventions. The Bangladeshi government as part of an innovative social policy granted a variety of NGOs the right to operate within the country with support for foreign aid agencies (Asadullah, 2014). NGOs were able to reach the most deprived populations and implement technologies and policies that improved mortality rates. For example, between 1970 and 1990 one-third of all childhood deaths were attributed to diarrhea and another third was caused by the spread of six immunizable diseases (Asadullah, 2014). BRAC, an NGO, facilitated social mobilization by building a program for oral rehydration therapy and providing a platform to upsize child-focused health programs. Additionally, BRAC health workers educated mothers on the value of immunizations. BRAC’s campaigns effectively helped the government achieve 80% infant immunization by 1990, a higher rate than other developing countries with similar incomes. By improving public health access and education within the most marginalized portions of the population, nation-wide infant mortality rates plummeted to unprecedented lows.
Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder and chairperson of BRAC, visits a school in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (Source: BRAC)
Government expenditures on social services increased after the 1980s but remained relatively low as a percentage of GDP. (Asadullah, 2014). Regardless, NGOs and government-led social campaigns successfully bettered the living conditions of impoverished Bangladeshis. In 1981 the average life expectancy in Bangladesh was 55 years old, today life expectancy has risen to 71 years. In 1990 57% of the population was impoverished. In 2010 poverty has been reduced by nearly half to 32% (World Bank, 2014). Tantamount to the reduction of poverty were government initiatives to reduce overpopulation by empowering women to engage in family planning. In the 1970s the government made contraception free to the public. Government and NGO workers traveled the country, distributing pills and educating women on birth control (Economist, 2012). The percentage of women of childbearing age using birth control increased from 7% in 1975 to 60% in 2010.
Founding of Bangladesh’s National Family Planning Association (Source: Pathfinder)
"To further reduce gender-based inequality and improve the overall well being of the nation, the Bangladeshi government actively invested in education opportunities for females."
To further reduce gender-based inequality and improve the overall well being of the nation, the Bangladeshi government actively invested in education opportunities for females. A gender-targeted scholarship program known as the Female Secondary School Stipend program (FSSSP) partnered with preexisting Islamic schools to create a boom in female secondary education (Asadullah, 2014). Concurrently, the rise of microloans and the ready-made garment industry provided women with new economic opportunities. Extra money in the pockets of women is better for all of society because women are more likely than men to spend surplus funds on health, education and better food (Economist, 2012).
The growth of the garment industry provided women in large numbers the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s economy and improve their household’s economic standing. The garment industry in Bangladesh is the largest employer of women in the formal manufacturing sector (Ahmed, 2004). Over the last three decades, the garment industry has grown to become the second largest in the world after China in terms of exports (Devnath, 2004). Ready-made garments account for about 78% of exports and 12% of annual GDP in Bangladesh (Ahmed). The garment industry grew once the government denationalized garment factories and encouraged foreign capital through policies of liberalization—export-oriented economy, reduced trade barriers, and tax holidays.
"Bangladesh’s accomplishments over the last thirty years are commendable and serve as an example to underdeveloped countries of how to improve human development through reducing gender-based inequality."
Bangladesh from 1980 to the present achieved developmental success by utilizing NGOs, strategic government policies, and an export-led economy. These factors were impactful because they targeted gendered inequality and promoted greater female agency. Betterment of conditions for women lead to decreased rates of mortality, improved public health, reduction of overpopulation, and increased global trade. Bangladesh’s accomplishments over the last thirty years are commendable and serve as an example to underdeveloped countries of how to improve human development through reducing gender-based inequality.
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