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BANGLADESH
>> Regional Overview >> Bangladesh Overview 
Introduction
Bangladesh is home to 127 million people who reside in an area the size of Wisconsin; it is one of the poorest, most densely populated countries on earth. It is located in the northeast corner of the South Asian sub-continent on a fertile river delta. Bangladesh is an important country for U.S. assistance, not only because of its size and need, but also because of its potential as a leader of the moderate Islamic world, and as a positive force for regional peace, stability and growth in South Asia. Substantial reserves of natural gas have recently been discovered in Bangladesh.U.S. foreign policy objectives in Bangladesh encourage stable democratic governance, respect for human rights, and market-oriented economic growth. Our program supports these foreign policy objectives and also serves U.S. global interests in stabilizing world population, eliminating hunger and food insecurity, protecting human health, and promoting environmentally responsible growth.
The Development Challenge
USAID has been a major donor in Bangladesh since 1971, and has contributed to outstanding progress in the population, health, and agriculture sectors; rural electrification; food assistance; and disaster relief and planning. For example, contraceptive prevalence rose from 8% in 1974 to 49% in 1997; the total fertility rate has dropped from over 6.3 births per woman to 3.3; 18% of the rural population now has access to electricity versus 3% in 1976; the number of people below the poverty line has declined by about 25% since 1983; and the number of deaths from major disasters has been dramatically reduced by planning and by early warning systems.Despite such accomplishments, Bangladesh continues to face enormous challenges in assuring food, energy, shelter, and other essential goods and services are available to a population that is expected to surpass 200 million by the year 2035. Some 45% of the Bangladeshi population remain below the poverty line, with 70% of the children affected by some form of malnutrition.
Economic growth in Bangladesh is predicted to decline this year from the average of 5% over the past 3 years. Even a 5% growth rate is too low to lift the country out of poverty, or to sustain its safety net and many of its current social sector programs without continued donor support. Economic growth and employment is held back by serious policy, infrastructure, and institutional constraints. These include state control of key manufacturing and agricultural industries; inadequate and poorly maintained power, port, road and communications infrastructure; an inward looking trade policy; and a shaky, state-controlled financial system. Although the country returned to democracy in 1990, Parliament is barely working and there is no dialogue between the political parties. The quality of governance is poor, with widespread corruption and deteriorating law-and-order. The legal rights of citizens, particularly women and the poor, are often violated.
Other Donors
In 1999, USAID and the donor community provided new funding of about $1.9 billion for development activities in Bangladesh, of which the United States contributed just over 4%. Approximately 75% of donor assistance went into the following sectors: roads and transport, energy, agriculture and rural development, health and family welfare, water resources, education and religious activities. Most major donors support Bangladesh. The five largest are the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan, the European Union (EU) and USAID.
Country Background Information Resources CIA Factbook
Library of CongressNational Geographic Country Maps
State Dept. Country Information
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Last Updated on: November 17, 2000 |
