Overview
Child poverty in Bangladesh remains a pressing concern despite notable economic progress over recent decades. Millions of children continue to face multidimensional poverty, lacking access not only to income but also to essential services such as education, healthcare, nutrition, and protection. The impact of poverty on children is profound and often lifelong, affecting their development, opportunities, and well-being.
Current Statistics
- According to UNICEF and the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), approximately 45 million children live in Bangladesh, and nearly 50% of them live below the national poverty line.
- Around 40% of children suffer from multidimensional poverty, facing deprivations in more than one area (e.g., education, health, housing, sanitation).
- Child malnutrition remains high: 28% are stunted, and 9.8% suffer from wasting (BDHS 2022).
- Over 4 million children are involved in child labour, many in hazardous conditions (ILO, 2023).
Key Dimensions of Child Poverty
1. Income Poverty
- Children in poor households are deprived of basic needs including nutritious food, safe shelter, and access to quality education and healthcare.
- Economic shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation, have pushed many vulnerable families into deeper poverty.
2. Education Deprivation
- While primary school enrollment is high, dropout rates remain significant, especially among girls and children from poor families.
- Learning outcomes are alarmingly low due to poor infrastructure, lack of qualified teachers, and child labour.
3. Health and Nutrition
• Limited access to quality healthcare services, especially in rural and slum areas.
• High rates of child and maternal mortality persist in impoverished communities.
4. Child Protection
- Children in poverty are more susceptible to violence, abuse, trafficking, early marriage, and hazardous child labour.
- The legal and child protection systems are often under-resourced and inaccessible for the poor.
5. Housing and Sanitation
- Many children live in overcrowded slums or rural homes without safe water or sanitation facilities, increasing disease risk.
Geographical and Social Disparities
- Child poverty is higher in rural areas and among ethnic minorities, disabled children, and those living in urban slums.
- Regions such as Rangpur, Mymensingh, and parts of Chattogram Hill Tracts report the highest levels of deprivation.
Root Causes
- Structural poverty and inequality
- Inadequate social protection coverage
- Poor governance and public service delivery
- Climate change and natural disasters (e.g., floods, cyclones)
- Rapid urbanization without inclusive planning
Government and NGO Response
- The Government of Bangladesh has introduced various programs (e.g., stipend schemes, school feeding, and immunization programs).
- Social protection coverage, however, remains inadequate for the poorest children.
- NGOs and international agencies like UNICEF, Save the Children, and BRAC are playing critical roles in addressing child poverty through education, healthcare, and protection programs.
Key Challenges
- Fragmented data on child-specific poverty indicators
- Limited budget allocation for child-focused services
- Insufficient implementation and monitoring of child rights policies
Opportunities for Intervention
- Strengthening child-sensitive social protection systems
- Investing in early childhood development and inclusive education
- Expanding community-based healthcare and nutrition programs
- Building resilience through climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction for vulnerable families
- Enhancing coordination among government, NGOs, and private sectors