Bangladesh

Bangladesh Economic Profile

Bangladesh is a representative growth economy in South Asia, with a population of approximately 170 million. The country's GDP stands at approximately $460 billion (as of 2023), and it has achieved high growth rates exceeding 6% annually over the past 20 years, making it one of the most rapidly developing economies in the region.

The core industry is the apparel and textile sector, accounting for approximately 80% of total exports and establishing Bangladesh as a global clothing supply base. The next important sector is agriculture, employing approximately 40% of the working population, with rice, jute, and tea as major products. Additionally, the gas industry, pharmaceutical sector, and steel industry are growing rapidly, and economic diversification is progressing.

Regarding recent economic trends, the country faces several challenges. From 2022 to 2023, global inflation, energy crisis, and declining foreign exchange reserves temporarily slowed economic growth. However, in 2024, growth shows signs of recovery alongside political stabilization. Furthermore, digital transformation has been remarkable, with fintech companies and startup ecosystems developing rapidly.

A notable point is that Bangladesh has set forth "Vision 2041" aiming to achieve developed country status by 2041, and is actively investing in infrastructure development (particularly megaprojects). Additionally, the country is transitioning from labor-intensive to high value-added industries, and economic development leveraging the demographic dividend is anticipated. Meanwhile, addressing structural challenges such as political stability, corruption prevention, and improvement of labor standards remain important issues.