Bangladesh Ahead of India and Pakistan in Per Capita GDP
People in Bangladesh earn more on average than those in India and Pakistan. Over the past few years, Bangladesh has surpassed both countries in terms of income. However, two decades ago, India and Pakistan were significantly ahead of Bangladesh.
According to a report by the World Bank, despite the global economic slowdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and global recession, Bangladesh's economic growth did not decline to negative levels. Although growth was slow, it remained positive. Over the last two decades, Bangladesh has experienced the highest increase in per capita income among South Asian nations. Currently, Bangladesh's per capita income surpasses that of India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Myanmar.
The information was derived from a World Bank report published on Friday (December 13).
The report further indicates that while many low-income countries faced debt crises and economic vulnerabilities, some have shown resilience. In the fiscal year 2019-2020, Bangladesh's growth rate fell to 4.5%, and in 2020-2021, it dropped further to 3.4%. However, in subsequent years, the growth rate recovered, reaching 7.1% in 2021-2022. Growth slowed again in 2022-2023 and 2023-2024. The World Bank forecasts that the growth rate may decline to 4% in the current fiscal year.
In the early 21st century, the World Bank classified 63 countries as low-income. Since then, 39 countries, including India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, have moved into the middle-income category, with annual per capita incomes exceeding $1,145 as of 2023. Sustainable growth has allowed only six low-income countries to achieve middle-income status by 2050. Bangladesh has been one of the most successful in this regard.
For four consecutive years, Bangladesh has surpassed India in terms of per capita GDP. According to the IMF’s latest data, in 2023, Bangladesh's per capita GDP reached $2,621, while India’s stood at $2,612.
Bangladesh first overtook India in per capita GDP in 2020, when its per capita GDP was $1,888, compared to India's $1,877.
Bangladesh surpassed Pakistan in per capita GDP for the first time in 2016, with its per capita GDP reaching $1,659, while Pakistan’s was $1,468. Since then, Pakistan has not been able to overtake Bangladesh. In 2023, Pakistan’s per capita GDP stood at $1,471.
Regional Comparison
- Bhutan: Per capita income rose from $720 to $3,740, a 419% increase.
- Myanmar: Per capita income rose from $190 in 2000 to $1,210 in 2023, a 537% increase.
- Nepal: Per capita income increased from $220 to $1,370, a 523% rise.
- Pakistan: Per capita income grew from $470 to $1,500, a 219% increase.
- Afghanistan: In 2023, per capita income was $360.
The World Bank will provide further details on these developments in its upcoming Global Economic Prospects report, scheduled for release on January 14.
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