Bangladesh is widely celebrated on the international stage as a development success story. Economic growth has been impressive, infrastructure has expanded, and life expectancy has risen dramatically, reflecting gains in healthcare and quality of life. These achievements are indeed noteworthy, but they mask a profound and largely invisible humanitarian crisis: the growing poverty, social isolation, and insecurity of the country's elderly population. As the nation strides forward in economic terms, millions of older citizens are quietly confronting the harsh realities of life without sufficient social or familial support.
The demographic landscape of Bangladesh is undergoing a profound transformation. Data from the National Health Sector Reform Commission indicate that in 1990, nearly 17 per cent of the population was under five years of age, but by 2021 this share had fallen to just 8 per cent. Projections suggest that by 2050, only 4 per cent of the population will fall into this age group. At the same time, the elderly population is increasing rapidly. By the 2030s, the number of older adults will surpass the number of young children, and by 2050, those aged 60 and above will constitute roughly 18 per cent of the population. These shifts in population structure are unprecedented in Bangladesh's history and pose both economic and social challenges that demand urgent attention.
Currently, Bangladesh has a population of approximately 175.7 million, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). About 28 per cent are children aged 0 to 14, while 65 per cent fall within the working-age group of 15 to 64, and nearly 7 per cent are aged 65 or older. This demographic profile has so far provided the country with a "demographic dividend," offering economic opportunities through a large working-age population. However, the changing age structure, with fewer young people and more elderly citizens, signals that this dividend is temporary. In the coming decades, the country will face new challenges in caring for and providing for its senior citizens.
Life expectancy in Bangladesh has increased dramatically from just 47 years in the immediate post-independence period to over 72 years today. While this is a testament to the success of health policies and social development, it also raises pressing questions about the adequacy of social protection mechanisms. Rapid urbanisation, migration, and the breakdown of joint family structures have eroded traditional family-based support systems. Older parents, particularly in rural areas, are increasingly living alone as their children migrate to cities or abroad in search of livelihoods. This growing physical and emotional separation leaves many older adults vulnerable, isolated, and dependent, making old age a time marked not by security and dignity but by uncertainty and neglect.
Elderly poverty in Bangladesh is not merely an economic issue; it is also a gendered and social phenomenon. Women are disproportionately affected, particularly widows and those who have never participated in formal employment. Many have spent their lives in unpaid domestic labour, denied property rights, or excluded from economic participation, and in old age, they become entirely dependent on limited government support or charitable assistance from neighbours. Rural older women, in particular, are often left with little more than the meagre old-age allowances provided by the state, a reflection not only of present deprivation but also of decades-long structural inequities that have marginalised women's labour and social contributions.
The nature of Bangladesh's labour market further exacerbates elderly vulnerability. Approximately 85 per cent of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, encompassing small-scale farming, daily wage labour, domestic work, and petty trade. These workers generally have no pensions, no mandatory retirement savings, and no structured social security. Once they lose the ability to work due to age or illness, their income disappears entirely. In the absence of robust family or societal support, these elderly citizens are often forced to continue working in physically demanding or low-paying jobs to meet their basic needs. This daily struggle for survival underscores the precariousness of informal sector employment and its long-term implications for social security.
The government's Old Age Allowance Programme, launched in 1998, currently provides financial assistance to approximately 6.1 million elderly individuals, with a monthly payment of Tk 650. While symbolically significant and providing some psychological relief, the allowance is grossly insufficient to meet the real costs of living, particularly medical care and nutrition. Research indicates that the distribution of benefits is often affected by irregularities, political influence, and exclusion errors. Many eligible seniors are left out, while others who are less deserving may receive benefits due to connections. In practice, the program provides recognition but cannot substantially mitigate poverty among older people, revealing structural weaknesses in social protection administration.
Historically, remittances from family members served as a vital source of support for elderly households, particularly in rural areas. Yet, with the irregularity of urban and overseas incomes, rising living costs, and evolving household priorities, such support has become inconsistent. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragility of elderly security more starkly than ever. Lockdowns disrupted employment and remittance flows, while medical expenses escalated, pushing many older adults into extreme poverty. This crisis highlighted the inadequacy of short-term relief measures and underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive, long-term, and universal social protection framework.
Two sociological theories are particularly illuminating when analysing elderly poverty. The organisational function theory emphasises the weakening of traditional family structures that once provided essential care for older adults. In contrast, the social exclusion theory highlights the systematic marginalisation of older people from economic, digital, healthcare, and social systems. Elderly poverty in Bangladesh is thus not merely a lack of income; it represents a loss of dignity, participation, and social rights. Older citizens are socially invisible, and their marginalisation compounds the economic hardships they endure.
Healthcare costs are another critical aspect of elderly vulnerability. Age-related chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, hypertension, and arthritis, can rapidly overwhelm household finances. According to the World Health Organisation, about 70 per cent of health expenditure in Bangladesh comes from out-of-pocket payments by citizens. With limited savings or health insurance, many older adults incur debts to access treatment or are forced to forgo medical care entirely. Overcrowded government hospitals, expensive private clinics, and a lack of specialised geriatric care exacerbate this problem, making health insecurity one of the most significant contributors to elderly poverty.
Urban elderly populations face distinct challenges. While rural areas are often associated with poverty, urban seniors confront high housing costs, medical expenses, and social isolation. In cities such as Dhaka, Chittagong, and Narayanganj, many older citizens live alone in rented accommodations or slums, disconnected from their families and the wider community. The pressures of urban life, coupled with limited avenues for social interaction and support, create a form of urban elderly poverty that is both invisible and profoundly isolating.
The Universal Pension Scheme, introduced in 2023, offers a potential turning point in addressing elderly insecurity. Designed as a voluntary retirement savings system for both formal and informal sector workers, the programme could expand old-age financial security significantly if implemented effectively. Its success depends on administrative transparency, technological inclusiveness, and accessibility, particularly for low-income and digitally marginalised seniors. If these conditions are met, the scheme could fundamentally change the landscape of old-age support in Bangladesh.
Non-governmental organisations also play an essential role in supplementing government efforts. Institutions such as BRAC, ASA, and HelpAge International provide healthcare, savings, and awareness programs for older adults, albeit on a limited scale. These initiatives are valuable but fragmented. An integrated approach is necessary - one that combines government social protection programmes, local administration, NGOs, and technology-based solutions. Digital tools like mobile banking and online disbursement systems can facilitate direct support, but only if older citizens are equipped with the necessary skills and confidence to use them. Training and digital inclusion are thus as critical as policy reforms themselves.
Ultimately, elderly poverty is not merely a policy or economic challenge; it is a moral one. Respect for and care of older citizens is deeply rooted in Bangladeshi culture and religious values. Yet the pressures of modern life, urbanisation, and individualism are eroding these traditional norms. The neglect of older adults is a reflection of the moral shortcomings of society as much as it is an economic or administrative failure.
Actual human development cannot be measured solely by GDP growth, infrastructure development, or industrial output. It is measured by the extent to which society can ensure dignity, security, and inclusion for its most vulnerable, particularly its elderly. The final years of life should not be marked by anxiety, neglect, or poverty. Providing access to quality healthcare, reliable income, and social participation is not charity; it is a societal obligation. A nation that neglects its elders risks losing the very roots of its history, culture, and humanity. To advance, Bangladesh must ensure that the twilight years of its senior citizens are spent with dignity, security, and respect.
Dr Matiur Rahman is a columnist and researcher specialising in sociology and development.
matiurrahman588@gmail.com