An analysis of the millennium development goal 1: The case ofBangladesh

Abstract

This article raises four questions: what progress has been made to achieve millennium development goal 1 (MDG1) targets in Bangladesh? What are the reasons for success, if any? What challenges remain? And what more should be done? To examine these questions, this article assesses the progress of MDG1 using the poverty and hunger index (PHI) to measure the net static and dynamic progress. It argues that Bangladesh is on track to achieve MDG1 targets. Social safety nets (SSNs) programs, per capita GDP growth, structural change, and remittance earning have been contributing to achieving MDG1 targets. However, some significant challenges such as a large number of poor people living in extreme poverty, inflation, high unemployment rate, and inequality are still prevailing. Thus, Bangladesh might give more attention on the expansion of SSNs for quick protection and promotion for the poor and vulnerable, the creation of local value chain, and inflation control.

Keywords:

• poverty and hunger index
• social safety nets
• remittances
• local value chain