Friday, 31 January, 2025
Over the past decade, the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Bangladesh's national economy has significantly decreased, according to the latest economic census by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
Preliminary results from the 2024 census indicate that the industrial sector’s share in economic activities has fallen to 8.77 percent, down from 11.54 percent in 2013.
The BBS released the initial findings of the “Economic Census 2024” on Wednesday at its auditorium. This census, conducted every ten years by the government, provides a detailed snapshot of the nation’s economic activities.
The survey categorises economic establishments into three groups.
Businesses operating from a fixed address are classified as permanent economic units. Those conducting business temporarily on footpaths or marketplaces are considered temporary or seasonal economic units.
Meanwhile, non-agricultural production and service activities carried out at home are categorised as economic households.
These three types collectively form the country’s economic units.
The report states that Bangladesh currently has 11.88 million economic units, categorised as permanent units - 6.29 million, temporary units - 576,621, and household economic units - 5.01 million
Of these, 29.73 per cent - 3.53 million - are in urban areas, while 70.27 percent, or 8.35 million, are in rural areas. This indicates that economic activities outside cities significantly outnumber those within urban regions.
The preliminary results of the economic census indicate that a total of 30.76 million people are currently engaged in 11.88 million economic units across the country.
Of these, 25.63 million (83.32%) are men, 5.13 million (16.67%) are women, and 2,059 (0.01%) belong to the Hijra or transgender community.
The data further reveals that 23.72 million (77.10%) individuals are working in permanent economic units, 7.95 million (2.58%) are involved in temporary units, and 6.25 million (20.32%) are engaged in economic households.
A comparative analysis of the last three economic censuses shows notable growth in the number of economic units in Bangladesh. In 2003, the country had 3.71 million economic units, which grew by 110% to 7.82 million in 2013. The latest 2024 data reveals that the number has now reached 11.88 million, marking a 52% growth over the past decade.
In terms of workforce engagement, 11.27 million people were involved in economic activities in 2003. This figure grew by 117% over the following decade, reaching 24.58 million in 2013. The latest census reports that 30.76 million people are currently engaged in economic activities, reflecting a 25% increase from the previous decade.
Economic Households on the Rise:
In 2013, Bangladesh had 2.82 million economic households. By 2024, this number surged to 5.01 million, marking a 77.65% increase. This indicates a significant rise in home-based economic activities over the past decade.
Decline in Women's Employment Rate:
In 2024, women account for only 6.4% of the employed workforce, a slight decline from 7.21% in 2013. This suggests a reduction in women’s participation in economic activities.
Boom in the Service Sector:
The service sector has experienced impressive growth. In 2013, there were 6.92 million service sector businesses. Over the past decade, this number grew by 91%, reaching 10.83 million in 2024.
Rural Economy Outperforms Urban Growth:
As of 2024, 70.27% of all economic units are located in rural areas, while only 29.73% are in urban regions. This highlights the substantial expansion of rural economic activities in the past decade.
The first economic census in Bangladesh was conducted in 1986, followed by the second census in 2001, the third in 2013, and the fourth in 2024, which was carried out from December 10 to 26.
Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud stated, "The release of the preliminary report of the economic census is a significant milestone for the country. This report will provide crucial data to policymakers, researchers, and academic institutions for future policy formulation."
KAS Murshid, chair of the Task Force on Redefining Economic Strategies and Resource Mobilisation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development, noted, "The economic census serves as an invaluable resource, offering a detailed picture of the economic landscape and enabling comparisons between urban and rural conditions."
Md Mahbub Hossain, secretary of the Statistics and Data Management Division, emphasized that the census provides valuable insights into workforce distribution across industries and services, as well as the diversity of products and services being produced, which will help guide the nation’s economic development.
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Director General of BBS, added, "The preliminary report of the 2024 Economic Census will be instrumental in strengthening our development planning. The data collected will aid policymakers and offer valuable perspectives to researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs."
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Over the past decade, the manufacturing sector’s contribution to Bangladesh's national economy has significantly decreased, according to the latest economic census by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
Preliminary results from the 2024 census indicate that the industrial sector’s share in economic activities has fallen to 8.77 percent, down from 11.54 percent in 2013.
The BBS released the initial findings of the “Economic Census 2024” on Wednesday at its auditorium. This census, conducted every ten years by the government, provides a detailed snapshot of the nation’s economic activities.
The survey categorises economic establishments into three groups.
Businesses operating from a fixed address are classified as permanent economic units. Those conducting business temporarily on footpaths or marketplaces are considered temporary or seasonal economic units.
Meanwhile, non-agricultural production and service activities carried out at home are categorised as economic households.
These three types collectively form the country’s economic units.
The report states that Bangladesh currently has 11.88 million economic units, categorised as permanent units - 6.29 million, temporary units - 576,621, and household economic units - 5.01 million
Of these, 29.73 per cent - 3.53 million - are in urban areas, while 70.27 percent, or 8.35 million, are in rural areas. This indicates that economic activities outside cities significantly outnumber those within urban regions.
The preliminary results of the economic census indicate that a total of 30.76 million people are currently engaged in 11.88 million economic units across the country.
Of these, 25.63 million (83.32%) are men, 5.13 million (16.67%) are women, and 2,059 (0.01%) belong to the Hijra or transgender community.
The data further reveals that 23.72 million (77.10%) individuals are working in permanent economic units, 7.95 million (2.58%) are involved in temporary units, and 6.25 million (20.32%) are engaged in economic households.
A comparative analysis of the last three economic censuses shows notable growth in the number of economic units in Bangladesh. In 2003, the country had 3.71 million economic units, which grew by 110% to 7.82 million in 2013. The latest 2024 data reveals that the number has now reached 11.88 million, marking a 52% growth over the past decade.
In terms of workforce engagement, 11.27 million people were involved in economic activities in 2003. This figure grew by 117% over the following decade, reaching 24.58 million in 2013. The latest census reports that 30.76 million people are currently engaged in economic activities, reflecting a 25% increase from the previous decade.
Economic Households on the Rise:
In 2013, Bangladesh had 2.82 million economic households. By 2024, this number surged to 5.01 million, marking a 77.65% increase. This indicates a significant rise in home-based economic activities over the past decade.
Decline in Women's Employment Rate:
In 2024, women account for only 6.4% of the employed workforce, a slight decline from 7.21% in 2013. This suggests a reduction in women’s participation in economic activities.
Boom in the Service Sector:
The service sector has experienced impressive growth. In 2013, there were 6.92 million service sector businesses. Over the past decade, this number grew by 91%, reaching 10.83 million in 2024.
Rural Economy Outperforms Urban Growth:
As of 2024, 70.27% of all economic units are located in rural areas, while only 29.73% are in urban regions. This highlights the substantial expansion of rural economic activities in the past decade.
The first economic census in Bangladesh was conducted in 1986, followed by the second census in 2001, the third in 2013, and the fourth in 2024, which was carried out from December 10 to 26.
Planning Advisor Wahiduddin Mahmud stated, "The release of the preliminary report of the economic census is a significant milestone for the country. This report will provide crucial data to policymakers, researchers, and academic institutions for future policy formulation."
KAS Murshid, chair of the Task Force on Redefining Economic Strategies and Resource Mobilisation for Inclusive and Sustainable Development, noted, "The economic census serves as an invaluable resource, offering a detailed picture of the economic landscape and enabling comparisons between urban and rural conditions."
Md Mahbub Hossain, secretary of the Statistics and Data Management Division, emphasized that the census provides valuable insights into workforce distribution across industries and services, as well as the diversity of products and services being produced, which will help guide the nation’s economic development.
Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Director General of BBS, added, "The preliminary report of the 2024 Economic Census will be instrumental in strengthening our development planning. The data collected will aid policymakers and offer valuable perspectives to researchers, investors, and entrepreneurs."
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