Income inequality between the rich and the poor increased significantly in the last two and a half decades, posing a threat to poverty reduction and accelerating growth.
The observation was made in an overview report on Four Years of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Bangladesh presented at a program called Citizens Conclave.
The meeting was organized by the Citizens’ Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh in the capital on Saturday.
“Income held by the poorest 40% of the population in Bangladesh has declined from 17.41% in 1991 to 13.01% in 2016,” said an overview report of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
On the other hand, income held by the richest 10% and 20% of the population in Bangladesh increased from 23.3% and 37.4% in 1991 to 26.8% and 41.4% in 2016 respectively, it added.
“The greatest challenge was to reduce the inequality. This is a global phenomenon not only in case of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is growing faster. This issue has to address more carefully,” CPD executive director Fahmida Khatun said in her overview report.
As for the SDG 10- reducing inequality, the prospect of achieving it appears bleak, as three out four indicators are in the red status with only one indicator being in the amber status as per the progress report of the CPD.
The income share held by the poorest 40% is expected to keep falling from the already low level of 2015. This will lead to an increase in income inequality in the country further, she feared.
On the other hand, the development partner also expressed concern over the growing inequality.
“The growing concentration of wealth is a source of concern. Inequality has been rising for the past six years, dumping the growth and impacting the poverty reduction,” Mia Seppo, UN Residential Coordinator and Representative, UNDP Bangladesh said.
The Coordinator also stressed the need for updated frequent reliable data for formulate policy and allocate resources.
However, planning minister sees it normal because of the surge in development in the country, which registered 7.86% GDP growth last year.
“In the primary stage of development of a county, there will be inequality as per the economic theory. The poor has seen a small improvement in his living, while the rich has seen a big leap,” Planning Minister MA Mannan said.
Since there was a surge in development, there would be ‘a little bit’ inequality, said the minister.
“We need development and reduce the poverty alleviation. To this end, we have to create opportunity by improving the infrastructure. For this, Bangladesh also needs continuity of its good works,” said Mannan.
“If the continuity of leadership and works face threat, development will also be in trouble. So, we should choose the right leadership,” he added.
Citizen’s platform wants fund and recognition of their works
The leaders of Citizens’ Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh demanded recognition of their contribution to the implementation of the SGDs and called for finance in helping them out.
“In the national report on the progress of SDGs, the contributions of the non-states actors have not been adequately covered,” Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of Citizens’ Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, said.
Recognition of non-state actors by the government and engaging them in working relationship with the government was important, he mentioned.
Another important issue was fund for civil society organisations, who were supplementing the SDGs implementation and their recognition was necessary, noted the economist.
Non-state actors including civil society, private sector people, and social movement were key players in SDGs, he said.
“While the private sector is making an overall contribution towards achieving the SDGs, they are yet to fully align their activities with the goals and targets of the global agenda,” said the think tank.
The growing inequality in terms of income, wealth, access to resources and justice afflicting disadvantaged and marginalized population pose a serious threat to attaining the SDGs not only with respects to SDGs 10, but the Agenda 2030 itself, said the speakers.