The highest incidence of poverty has been recorded in Barishal division and the lowest in Khulna in the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) 2022.
In the south-central part of Bangladesh, Barishal's poverty was recorded at 26.9 per cent according to HIES 2022, while Khulna's poverty was at 14.8 per cent (using the upper head-count ratio).
The national-level poverty rate stands at 18.7 per cent, says the survey report released last week.
The incidence of poverty is measured by the poverty ratio, which is the ratio of the number of poor individuals to the total population, expressed as a percentage. It is also known as the head-count ratio or HCR.
Rangpur division recorded the second-highest HCR poverty rate at 24.8 per cent, followed by Mymensingh division at 24.2 per cent.
According to the HIES 2022 findings, the poverty rate in Dhaka division stood at 17.9 per cent, followed by Sylhet at 17.4 per cent, Rajshahi at 16.7 per cent and Chattogram at 15.8 per cent.
Economists believe that Barishal division historically experiences high poverty rates due to its status as the worst victim of climate change. Besides, the division has high salinity levels, resulting in poor agricultural yields.
However, they noted that the economic activity in the division may diversify as the Padma Multipurpose Bridge has been opened to traffic in 2022.
But the economists were surprised by the low poverty rate in Khulna division, considering the impact of climate change also on the region.
Dr Ahsan H Mansur, executive director at the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI), told the FE that Barishal is the most severely affected by climate change, adding, "The agricultural output is the lowest in the division."
Dr Mansur mentioned that the paddy output per acre in Barguna is one-third of that in Bogura, making it difficult for people to sustain themselves through agriculture.
He also said people from the division have been migrating to various urban areas, including Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna.
Dr Mansur further said that after the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, tourism, especially in Kuakata, may experience growth. "So far, the sea beach remained unplanned. But it will grow in the future…"
According to the economist, there is disagreement with the findings on the low poverty rate in Khulna, as there has been no industrialisation in the region over the past decades. Moreover, the jute mills, which were significant contributors to Khulna's economy, remain closed.
Dr Zahid Hussain, former lead economist of the World Bank Dhaka office, told the FE that Barishal division lacks diversification in its economic activities. Barishal has suffered from poor road connectivity for a long time, but this problem will be overcome after the completion of the Padma Bridge.
Dr Hussain added that industrialisation may occur in the division following the improved connectivity facilitated by the Padma Bridge.
In relation to the national poverty rates of 20.5 per cent, Barishal division and Khulna division also reported the highest and lowest rates of 'rural poverty' respectively, at 28.4 per cent and 16.2 per cent.
On the other hand, Rangpur division has the highest 'urban poverty' rate at 29.9 per cent, while Khulna division has the lowest rate at 9.9 per cent.
When calculating the HCR using the lower poverty line, Barishal division has the highest estimated rate at 11.8 per cent, followed by Mymensingh and Rangpur (both) at 10.0 per cent, Rajshahi at 6.7 per cent, Chattogram at 5.1 per cent and Sylhet at 4.6 per cent.
The two lowest rates are found in Dhaka and Khulna divisions, at 2.8 per cent and 2.9 per cent respectively.
According to the HIES 2022, the national level poverty gap at the upper poverty line is estimated at 3.77 per cent. This figure breaks down to 4.15 per cent in rural areas and 2.93 per cent in urban areas.
The lowest poverty rate is estimated in Khulna division at 2.43 per cent, while the highest is found in Barishal division at 5.84 per cent.
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