Fighting Poverty- Bangladesh ahead of India, Nepal

[TopCat]

Bangladesh has scored better than India and Nepal in UNDP's Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) of five South Asian countries.

Among 104 countries, Bangladesh ranked 73. India ranked 74, Nepal 82, Pakistan 70, Sri Lanka 32 in the MPI released on July 15.

The 10 indicators in MPI are grouped into three equally weighted dimensions--health (child mortality and nutrition), education (years of schooling and child enrolment), and standard of living (electricity, drinking water, sanitation, flooring, cooking fuel, and assets).

The Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI) of Oxford University and the Human Development Report Office of UNDP jointly prepared the MPI.

On Bangladesh, the report finds that 57.8 percent of its population were deprived of at least 30 percent of the set of 10 indicators in MPI, and on an average they were deprived of 50.4 percent of the indicators.

In terms of human lives, South Asia has the highest level of poverty in the world.

In Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Nepal, the poor are deprived in case of more than half of the indicators on an average. In India, Bangladesh and Nepal deprivation in living standard is the highest contributor to poverty followed by health and education.

In education, Bangladesh is much better than India, Pakistan and Nepal. Only nine percent people of poor households have their children not attending schools in Bangladesh.

In South Asia, only Sri Lanka is ahead of Bangladesh on the education dimension, and on the health dimension Bangladesh is better than India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The MPI is based on statistics collected from different countries for different years. In case of Bangladesh, it was prepared on the basis of statistics of 2007, and it was compared with that of 2004.

The World Bank's (WB) senior economist Zahid Hossain said inspired by the work of Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen, the MPI was prepared. Sen has argued convincingly for a multidimensional approach to poverty as well as development.

Zahid also said MPI is not comparable with poverty assessment based on the Cost of Basic Needs (CBN) method, the $1.25 a day criteria or the Human Development Index and the Human Poverty Index

 

[TopCat]

Yet long way to go...

 

[Justin Joseph]

Its because Bangladesh exports its poor to other countries if you add 20 million Bangladeshi in India you will be lot below.

 

[TopCat]

Its because Bangladesh exports its poor to other countries if you add 20 million Bangladeshi in India you will be lot below.

Even if we take those poor Indians in our country we will still be above as they will turn reach and start attending school and get access to our medical facilities.
But too bad.. we are not willing to start any charity here....

 

[LaBong]

Its because Bangladesh exports its poor to other countries if you add 20 million Bangladeshi in India you will be lot below.

Not needed

That's good work done by Bangladesh but whole subcontinent has to catch up with rest of the world. By the way, is BD's literacy that high(almost 90% according to the article)? Then it's a great achievement. We achieved probably only close to 70% in west part of Bengal.

 

[TopCat]

Not needed

That's good work done by Bangladesh but whole subcontinent has to catch up with rest of the world. By the way, is BD's literacy that high(almost 90% according to the article)? Then it's a great achievement. We achieved probably only close to 70% in west part of Bengal.

90% is not the literacy rate but 90% familly sends their kid to school.
The definition of literacy significantly vary in India and Bangladesh.

In BD 15+ years age group having 5th grade competency called literate. and current literacy stands 49%. Literacy is measured through statistical analysis through actual test.

In India 7+ years age group could read and write called literate. The number i could recall is 65% for India. Literacy is measured through voluntury disclosure in decadal census.

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

Its because Bangladesh exports its poor to other countries if you add 20 million Bangladeshi in India you will be lot below.

I'm surprised at your comment considering the fact you are a Senior member.

Did you miss this point from the article:In terms of human lives, South Asia has the highest level of poverty in the world.

Considering other parts of Asia we are the poorest.

We must encourage and respect the development of our fellow South-Asian neighbors if we ourselves deserve to get any better.

PS: Don't succumb to posts of members like idune,Al-zakir and hate Bangladesh as a whole.

Congratulations to Bangladesh

 

[EjazR]

South Asia needs to work on a war footing to remove poverty.

The best thing to get out of Bangladesh is micro-finance and that has contributed a lot in removing poverty. Corporate India should step up to do the same in India.

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

90% is not the literacy rate but 90% familly sends their kid to school.
The definition of literacy significantly vary in India and Bangladesh.

In BD 15+ years age group having 5th grade competency called literate. and current literacy stands 49%. Literacy is measured through statistical analysis through actual test.

In India 7+ years age group could read and write called literate. The number i could recall is 65% for India. Literacy is measured through voluntury disclosure in decadal census.

Hmmm.........We should pride ourselves the day we have not just 100% literacy rate but rather 100% educated rate i.e basic education till 12th grade.

Hope someday our children will live to see that dream come true