Bangladesh’s Current Economic Reality and Criticism of the PPRC Report

Introduction

For more than a decade under the Awami League government, Bangladesh’s economy was recognized as one of the fastest-growing in South Asia. From 2009 to June 2024, under Awami League’s continuous leadership, the country gained international stature as an emerging economic power.

But recently, political instability, declining exports and investments, revenue deficits, and the interim government’s weak policies have deepened the economic crisis.

The Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) recently published a report describing Bangladesh’s economy as caught in a “continuity of crisis.” This phrase, however, represents deliberate manipulation. The truth is that the crisis mainly emerged in the past year under the interim government. By using the word “continuity,” PPRC falsely suggests a longer-term trend.

Due to inconsistencies in data, one-sided analysis, and methodological flaws, this report is facing severe criticism among informed circles.

Criticism of the PPRC Report

1. Statistical Inconsistencies

- Poverty rate: The report claims poverty rose from 18.7% in 2022 to 27.93% in 2025. Yet, government data shows that as of July 2024, poverty was still at 18.7%. By ignoring this stability, the report selectively highlighted negative figures.
- Extreme poverty: The report claims extreme poverty rose from 5.6% in 2022 to 9.35% in 2025. In reality, until 2024 the rate remained 5.6%.

2. Income Data Manipulation

The report states urban monthly income fell from 45,578 taka in 2022 to 40,578 taka in 2025. But official data shows that in July 2024, urban monthly income was 55,517 taka—a significant increase.

3. Ignoring Awami League’s Successes (2022–2024)

The PPRC report fails to recognize:
- Stabilized poverty rate
- Urban incomes exceeding 55,000 taka
- Positive impacts from remittances and social safety programs

Table: Manipulated Economic Indicators in PPRC Report

4. Methodological Weaknesses

- Cherry-picking: By omitting 2024 data, the report compares only 2022 and 2025 to show that the “crisis” began earlier. In reality, until July 2024 Bangladesh was progressing steadily under AL. The major downturn began only after the interim government seized power.
- Political bias: The language of the report resembles political rhetoric rather than objective research. Instead of neutral analysis, it deliberately undermines Awami League’s achievements.

Awami League Government’s Economic Achievements (2009–June 2024)

- Growth: Average GDP growth of 6.7%; nearly 7% in FY 2023–24
- Per capita income: $2,793 (June 2024)
- GDP size: $468 billion (June 2024), 33rd largest in the world
- Export earnings: $35.58 billion (Jan–June 2024); annualized nearly $71 billion
- Employment & remittances: 10.3 million workers sent abroad (2009–2024), remittance inflows consistently rising
- ADP implementation: Average 86.22% execution; major progress in education, health, infrastructure, and energy

Interim Government’s Failures (July 2024–July 2025)

- Growth collapse: From 6.7% to 3.1%
- Per capita income: Declined from $2,793 to $2,529
- GDP contraction: From $468 billion (June 2024) to $401.34 billion (July 2025)
- Exports: Only $9.25 billion (Aug 2024–Jan 2025), or $1.54 billion/month—just one-fourth of prior levels
- Imports: Fell from $48.72 billion (Jan–June 2024) to $30.22 billion (Aug–July 2025)
- Unemployment: Rose from 5.4% (June 2024) to 7.3% (July 2025)
- ADP execution: Only 24.27% in the first 8 months—the lowest in 15 years
- Revenue shortfall: 355.97 billion taka in Q1 alone
- FDI: Net inflows only $204.33 million (July–Jan 2025)—lowest in 6 years
- Overseas employment: Just 209,000 workers sent abroad in 7 months (compared to prior annual average of 680,000)

Conclusion

The latest PPRC report contains numerous inconsistencies that undermine its neutrality. It hides the Awami League’s successes and presents only negative aspects. Data and evidence prove that under the Awami League, Bangladesh consistently achieved progress in growth, income, exports, employment, and infrastructure.

But within just one year of the interim government, nearly all indicators have declined, poverty is rising, and the economy is in crisis.

Thus, the PPRC report appears less like objective research and more like a politically motivated distortion serving the interim government’s narrow interests