Unlocking the potential of rural informal entrepreneurship for poverty reduction in Bangladesh: A sustainable livelihoods perspective

ABSTRACT

This study examines the current landscape of rural entrepreneurship in Bangladesh, a sector engaging 75% of the workforce, utilizing the Sustainable Livelihood Framework. Employing a quantitative approach, the research conducts face-to-face interviews with selected entrepreneurs. The findings reveal that 46% of entrepreneurs hold positive perspectives on five key livelihood indicators, with social capital ranking highest at 62% and physical capital lowest at 34%. Analysis of 20 indicators unveils that merely 50% of entrepreneurs express positive opinions for 12 indicators, with many responses hovering around 40%. These results paint a challenging picture of entrepreneurs’ outlook on their lives and livelihoods, providing valuable insights for policymakers, poverty experts, and development practitioners in shaping effective interventions.

KEYWORDS:

• Bangladesh
• rural informal entrepreneur
• small business
• poverty alleviation
• SDG 1

Acknowledgements

The author acknowledged the Centennial Research Grant, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh for funding support for this study.

Compliance with ethical standards

Ethical approval

This study was guided and approved by the ethical guidelines of the Centennial Research Grant, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Written informed consent was taken from the respondents.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Funding

Centennial Research Grant, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh.