Poverty increased by 10 percent in 3-yr

Over the past three years, poverty in the country has risen by approximately 10 percent, with the poverty rate now standing at around 28 percent, up from 18.7 percent in 2022. 

Additionally, 18 percent of families are at risk of slipping below the poverty line at any moment. 

These findings come from a study by the private research organisation Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC), released on Monday during a programme at the LGED auditorium in Agargaon in the capital.  

The study, titled Economic Dynamics and Mood at Household Level in Mid-2025, was presented by PPRC’s executive chairman Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman.

The research, conducted from May 8 to May 31, surveyed 33,207 individuals from 8,067 households nationwide. 

According to PPRC, the country is grappling with the impacts of three crises: COVID-19 (2020–2022), inflation, and political and economic uncertainty. 

The report also noted a decline in bribery since August last year, with 8.54 percent of respondents reporting paying bribes for services before August, dropping to 3.69 percent afterward. 

Government offices remain the primary recipients of bribes, followed by police and political leaders. 

The study further revealed that 55 percent of household income is spent on food.

Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman emphasised the need for a people-centered approach to build an accountable state, urging policymakers to prioritise citizens’ lived experiences. 

He highlighted that while economic losses are often discussed, the harassment faced by individuals, which hampers economic activity, is overlooked. 

He advocated for economic planning to focus not only on GDP but also on equality, justice, non-discrimination, and citizen welfare. 

However, he noted that the current interim government continues to prioritise macroeconomics over microeconomic concerns.