Millionaire accounts jump by 12,000 in a year

The number of millionaire bank accounts in Bangladesh has increased significantly over the past year despite concerns over a slowing economy, rising unemployment and increasing poverty.

According to the latest report from Bangladesh Bank, the number of bank accounts holding Tk 1 crore or more rose by nearly 12,000 within a year.

By the end of December 2025, the total number of such accounts reached 134,044, compared with 122,081 in December 2024. This means 11,963 new millionaire accounts were added during the period.
The report also shows that the number of such accounts grew rapidly in the last quarter of 2025. At the end of September 2025, there were 128,070 accounts, which increased by 5,974 to reach 134,044 by December.

The total deposits in these accounts also rose significantly. Deposits stood at Tk 8, 21,562 crore in September 2025 and increased by Tk 34,214 crore, reaching Tk 8, 55,776 crore by the end of December.

However, officials from the central bank noted that a millionaire account does not necessarily mean one individual is a millionaire, as institutions may hold large deposits and a single person or entity may have multiple accounts across different banks.

Economists say the steady increase in millionaire accounts reflects growing income inequality in the country. Former chief economist of Bangladesh Bank, Mustafa K Mujeri, said the trend indicates an unequal distribution of wealth, especially at a time when poverty and underemployment are rising.

Similarly, Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue, said inequality in tax policies and revenue structures allows the wealthy to accumulate more wealth, deepening social disparities. He stressed the need for greater investment and job creation to reduce the gap.

On the other hand, Arif Hossain Khan, spokesperson and executive director of Bangladesh Bank, described the increase as a natural outcome of economic expansion.

He said the country’s economy is gradually growing, average incomes are rising and the number of banks has increased, which together contribute to a rise in large deposit accounts.

According to data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, the number of millionaire bank accounts has been rising steadily in recent years. In 2020, the figure stood at 93,890, and it has increased by several thousand each year to surpass 134,000 on Friday.

Analysts say the trend suggests a growing concentration of wealth among a particular segment of society.