Bangladesh’s First MPI Reveals Child Poverty Crisis

Why in the News?

Bangladesh released its first National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), showing that children face significantly higher poverty than adults. The report, supported by UNICEF and the EU, urges targeted interventions to tackle deprivations in health, education, and living standards.

Key Findings from Bangladesh’s MPI Report:

• High child poverty: About 28.9% of children live in multidimensional poverty, compared to 21.44% of adults.
• Regional disparities: Five districts, including Bandarban (65.36%) and Cox’s Bazar, have over 40% of their population in poverty.
• Urban-rural gap: Rural children experience far higher poverty rates than their urban counterparts.
• Education as major factor: School attendance contributes most to child poverty, highlighting the education crisis.
• Sylhet division has the highest divisional poverty rate at 37.70%, showing geographical imbalance.

Causes and Consequences of Child Poverty

• Multiple deprivations: Children lack access to quality healthcare, sanitation, internet, housing, and basic assets.
• Inflation and instability: High prices and civil unrest have reduced investments in social sectors.
• Lack of coordination: Weak inter-sectoral collaboration hampers effective policy implementation.
• Persistent inequality: Children are 35% more likely than adults to suffer from multidimensional poverty.
• Development challenge: Despite progress in monetary poverty and stunting, multidimensional child poverty remains unaddressed.