Where Bangladesh ahead of Pakistan

Bangladesh's economic and social progress over a period of 50 years is enviable. In the eyes of foreigners in the past, once Bangladesh was a bottomless basket.  But now Bangladesh is a prosperous and self-reliant country. The country is now one of the emerging economies in the world. Pakistan, from which Bangladesh snatched independence, is now lagging behind Bangladesh in almost all socio-economic indicators. The economic structure of Bangladesh has changed day by day with the change of social and political structure.

It happened normally, not implicitly

Since the independence of Bangladesh, many changes have taken place in the economy through various processes. At one time there was an agrarian economy in the region. But out of that, Bangladesh economy has gradually shifted to industry and services. Agriculture is no longer a monopoly on this economy. Bangladesh has reached today's stage by crossing various ups and downs. Per capita income and life expectancy, reduction of neonatal and maternal mortality, implementation of immunization program, cent percent admission in primary, all in all, Bangladesh is in a good position. 

Surprising progress has been made in the agricultural sector. Bangladesh is producing world class fish, vegetables, fruits, poultry and eggs. In some of these, our progress is ranked third-fourth in the world. Again, during the hard times of the Corona, the rate of earning foreign exchange has increased, and the reserves of the central bank have also increased.

The World Bank once reviewed the macro-economy of war-torn Bangladesh. The report highlighted the economy of Bangladesh in the 70's. Where it was said that in 1970, the contribution of agriculture sector to the gross national product (GNP) of Bangladesh was 59.4 percent. The contribution of industry and service sector is 6.6 percent and 34 percent respectively.

In the last 50 years since independence, driving forces of the country's economy have changed over time. Industrial and service sectors have gradually developed. As a result, basic structure of the economy has changed a lot. Over time, the size of Bangladesh's economy has multiplied. In the pre-independence period, the size of the economy of this country was very small. After independence, many changes have taken place in the economy of Bangladesh. Our economy has reached a good stage after going through many ups and downs. 

Analyzing various aspects of Bangladesh's economic development, one thing becomes clear and that is that our economy has undergone structural changes. There has also been a small industrial revolution in Bangladesh. The contribution of the industrial sector has multiplied here. Bangladesh has taken the initiative to build the Padma Bridge with its own funds and has created a surprise in the whole world.

Bangladesh's per capita income is now 2064 US dollars. In 1972, the per capita income in the country was 129 US dollars. Per capita income has increased 18 times in 50 years. According to the World Bank, Pakistan's current per capita income is 1,130. We now have almost twice the per capita income of Pakistan.

Considering the current situation, economists say, this Bangladesh will be the next 'Asian Tiger'.

The current situation of Pakistan, from which Bangladesh separated itself, is fragile. The picture will be clearer if we compare the recent years. The year 2020 has gone through a global pandemic. In the previous year, the growth rate of Bangladesh was 7.8 percent. Where Pakistan is far below Bangladesh with 5.8 percent growth.

Even with the Corona epidemic, Bangladesh's growth was the best in Asia - 5.2 percent. And then Pakistan is booming with 0.4 percent growth.

Besides, Bangladesh's per capita foreign debt is 434 dollars while Pakistan's is 974. And Bangladesh's foreign exchange reserves are currently about 44 billion against of Pakistan's 12 billion.

International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that Bangladesh's growing economy will reach 322 billion by 2021. This means that on average, Bangladeshis are now richer than Pakistanis. 

Bangladesh has made tremendous progress not only in economic but also in other fields. Statistics show that in 1951, the population of East Pakistan was 42 million and that of West Pakistan was 33.7 million. But at present the population of Bangladesh is 165 million but it stands at 200 million in Pakistan.

The average life expectancy in Bangladesh is 72.5 years while in Pakistan it is 67 years. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), 33.2 percent of Bangladeshi women are employed, compared to 25.1 percent in Pakistan.

Although 98% of Bangladeshis are in primary education, only 72% of Pakistanis get that opportunity. At present, the infant mortality rate in Bangladesh is only 25 percent. On the other hand, the infant mortality rate in Pakistan is 59 percent.

This picture shows how important it was for Bangladesh to secede from Pakistan in 1971. At the same time, the indifference and short-sightedness of the then Pakistani rulers towards the eastern part has been proved again.