Dhaka moves two steps up in HDI ranking
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
FE Report
A steady improvement in education and life expectancy has helped Bangladesh secure a better position in the global human development index, despite its lower income level, according to a new United Nations report.
The country, ranked 146 out of 182 nations, has managed to elbow out Kenya by one rung down, even if the African nation has higher gross domestic product (GDP), says 2009 human development report by UN Development Programme (UNDP).
"It's a significant improvement. The country has actually moved two steps up in the HDI ranking from the previous year," Stefan Priesner, UNDP's country director, said, while releasing the report in the city on Sunday.
But on the regional front, Bangladesh's human development record was eclipsed by its peers such as Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The Maldives, at 95, has led the ranking in South Asia followed by Sri Lanka (102), Bhutan (132) and India (134).
The report that focussed on human mobility and development notes that protection of human rights of Bangladeshi migrants is crucial for harnessing the full development potential of migration.
At 92.4 per cent, Asia remains the major continent of destination for Bangladeshi migrants, says the report, adding the country has an emigration rate of 4.5 per cent.
Overseas migration is linked to Bangladesh's growth story, with an estimated 6.5 million Bangladeshis working and living abroad sent home US$9.68 billion in 2009 financial year, making up 10 per cent of the country's annual economic output.
This year's report demonstrates that migration can "enhance human development for the people who move, for destination communities and for those who remain at home, while nearly one billion - or one out of seven - people are migrants."
"Most migrants, internal and international, reap gains in the form of higher incomes, better access to education and health, and improved prospects for their children," says the report.
"Upholding the human rights of Bangladeshis working abroad is critical to ensuring the best out of migration and human movement," Mr Priesner added.
Last year, Bangladesh's flow of remittance amounted to US$9.0 billion, boosted record 875,000 overseas jobs. The flow was $6.5 billion in 2007.
The report estimated that average remittance per person were $41, compared with $33 in South Asia.
The UNDP's flagship report said migration can have a significant impact on reducing poverty in a country.
"This is especially true for internal migration, since it is much easier for people from poor families to move within borders than across them," says the report.
The World Bank in a study found poverty rate fell faster in Bangladesh's eastern part, especially in Sylhet and Chittagong, than in the west, thanks to workers' remittances.
Research commissioned by the report shows that many countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, are linking migration policies to their strategies for reducing poverty.
"The poverty-reducing effects of internal migration are significant. Instead of viewing internal migration as a problem, the report encourages South Asian countries to view it as a possible solution to development needs that can be managed," Priesner said.
The report recognises that not all movement is beneficial. People forced to migrate, such as refugees, often suffer devastating consequences.
Overcoming barriers requires a core package of reforms, including opening entry channels for more workers, ensuring basic human rights for migrants, from basic services and lowering the transaction costs of migration.
The global recession has quickly become a jobs crisis, which is generally a bad news for migrants.
"The recession should be seized as an opportunity to institute a new deal for migrants-one that that will benefit workers at home and abroad while guarding against a protectionist backlash," says Jeni Klugman, the report's lead author.
He added: "With recovery, many of the same underlying trends that have been driving movement during the past half-century will resurface, attracting more people to move."
A steady improvement in education and life expectancy has helped Bangladesh secure a better position in the global human development index, despite its lower income level, according to a new United Nations report.
The country, ranked 146 out of 182 nations, has managed to elbow out Kenya by one rung down, even if the African nation has higher gross domestic product (GDP), says 2009 human development report by UN Development Programme (UNDP).
"It's a significant improvement. The country has actually moved two steps up in the HDI ranking from the previous year," Stefan Priesner, UNDP's country director, said, while releasing the report in the city on Sunday.
But on the regional front, Bangladesh's human development record was eclipsed by its peers such as Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
The Maldives, at 95, has led the ranking in South Asia followed by Sri Lanka (102), Bhutan (132) and India (134).
The report that focussed on human mobility and development notes that protection of human rights of Bangladeshi migrants is crucial for harnessing the full development potential of migration.
At 92.4 per cent, Asia remains the major continent of destination for Bangladeshi migrants, says the report, adding the country has an emigration rate of 4.5 per cent.
Overseas migration is linked to Bangladesh's growth story, with an estimated 6.5 million Bangladeshis working and living abroad sent home US$9.68 billion in 2009 financial year, making up 10 per cent of the country's annual economic output.
This year's report demonstrates that migration can "enhance human development for the people who move, for destination communities and for those who remain at home, while nearly one billion - or one out of seven - people are migrants."
"Most migrants, internal and international, reap gains in the form of higher incomes, better access to education and health, and improved prospects for their children," says the report.
"Upholding the human rights of Bangladeshis working abroad is critical to ensuring the best out of migration and human movement," Mr Priesner added.
Last year, Bangladesh's flow of remittance amounted to US$9.0 billion, boosted record 875,000 overseas jobs. The flow was $6.5 billion in 2007.
The report estimated that average remittance per person were $41, compared with $33 in South Asia.
The UNDP's flagship report said migration can have a significant impact on reducing poverty in a country.
"This is especially true for internal migration, since it is much easier for people from poor families to move within borders than across them," says the report.
The World Bank in a study found poverty rate fell faster in Bangladesh's eastern part, especially in Sylhet and Chittagong, than in the west, thanks to workers' remittances.
Research commissioned by the report shows that many countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, are linking migration policies to their strategies for reducing poverty.
"The poverty-reducing effects of internal migration are significant. Instead of viewing internal migration as a problem, the report encourages South Asian countries to view it as a possible solution to development needs that can be managed," Priesner said.
The report recognises that not all movement is beneficial. People forced to migrate, such as refugees, often suffer devastating consequences.
Overcoming barriers requires a core package of reforms, including opening entry channels for more workers, ensuring basic human rights for migrants, from basic services and lowering the transaction costs of migration.
The global recession has quickly become a jobs crisis, which is generally a bad news for migrants.
"The recession should be seized as an opportunity to institute a new deal for migrants-one that that will benefit workers at home and abroad while guarding against a protectionist backlash," says Jeni Klugman, the report's lead author.
He added: "With recovery, many of the same underlying trends that have been driving movement during the past half-century will resurface, attracting more people to move."