BD sees little progress in reducing inequality: Report

Business Report :

Income and wealth inequality in Bangladesh has remained largely unchanged over the past decade, with a significant share of national income and assets concentrated in the hands of a small wealthy segment, according to the Global Inequality Report 2026 published by the Paris School of Economics.
The report shows that the richest 10 percent of Bangladesh’s population owns 58 percent of the country’s total wealth, while the top 1 percent alone controls nearly one-quarter of total wealth. In contrast, the bottom 50 percent of the population owns just 4.7 percent of national wealth, highlighting the sharp disparity in asset distribution.
Income inequality mirrors a similar pattern. The report states that around 41 percent of national income goes to the top 10 percent of earners, whereas the bottom 50 percent collectively earns only 19 percent of total income.
Although the income gap between the richest and poorest has narrowed slightly over the last decade, progress has been limited. Between 2014 and 2024, the income ratio between the highest and lowest earners declined marginally from 22 to 21, indicating that inequality remains deeply entrenched.
According to the report, Bangladesh’s average annual per capita income stands at €6,100, equivalent to Tk 873,154, based on purchasing power parity (PPP). The average wealth per person is estimated at €30,000, or Tk 4.29 million on a PPP basis.
The report also highlights persistent gender inequality in the economy. Female participation in economic activities remains low at 22.3 percent, reflecting long-standing structural barriers and unequal opportunities for women in the labor market.Overall, the report notes that Bangladesh has seen no major shift in its inequality landscape, with progress toward a more balanced distribution of income and wealth remaining limited.
Published on December 10, the report also presents a global picture of inequality. It finds that three-quarters of global private wealth is owned by the richest 10 percent, with 37 percent concentrated among the top 1 percent alone. Similarly, 50 percent of the world’s population earns less than 10 percent of global income, while the remaining income flows disproportionately to the wealthiest groups.
Among countries, South Africa has the highest level of wealth inequality, where the top 10 percent owns 85 percent of total wealth. In Russia, Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia, the richest 10 percent controls about 70 percent of national wealth. Wealth inequality is comparatively lower in countries such as Italy, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands, where around 45 percent of wealth is held by the bottom 40 percent. In contrast, in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan, the top 10 percent owns roughly 50 percent of total wealth.