It may feel reassuring that poverty depth remains “low.” But in Bangladesh today, that is not a comfort; it is a warning.
Poverty in Bangladesh remains high, with climate change and inflation deepening hardships.
Being in the business of measuring poverty is a challenge for the World Bank. If poverty declines, critics accuse us of trying to showcase our success. If it rises, they say we are ensuring that we stay in business. And if it stays the same, they accuse us of trying to avoid these two charges.
We have poverty eradication programmes aplenty but none by way of eliminating beggary. Thus, we get to hear of the declining numbers of people below the poverty line being claimed as poverty alleviation successes.
