By Humayra Tasnim Promi
In Bangladesh, the stark contrast between the northern and southern regions highlights a silent struggle that often goes unnoticed. While southern Bangladesh, particularly areas like Dhaka and Chittagong, has experienced and enjoy significant economic growth and urbanization, northern regions such as Rajshahi and Rangpur continue to grapple with severe poverty exacerbated by systematic neglect, budget discrimination and socio-economic challenges. The geographical layout of Bangladesh significantly impacts its development. The northern region is predominantly rural and agricultural, characterized by its vulnerability to natural disasters like floods and droughts. In contrast, the southern region, particularly the coastal areas, has better access to waterways and trade routes, facilitating economic activities. The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna delta in the south supports a more diverse economy, including agriculture, fisheries, and trade, contributing to higher economic output.
Basically poverty is a condition in which individuals or communities lack the financial resources, basic necessities, and opportunities required to maintain a decent standard of living. It is often measured by income levels, but poverty extends beyond monetary deprivation, encompassing limited access to food, clean water, shelter, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. Poverty perpetuates inequality, stifles economic progress, and undermines social well-being.
In Bangladesh, poverty affects nearly 20% of the population, with higher rates in rural and disadvantaged regions like the north. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, poverty rates in northern regions are significantly higher than in the south. As of 2021, approximately 40% of the population in northern districts lived below the national poverty line, compared to just 20% in southern districts. The 8th Five-Year Plan aims to achieve inclusive growth, reduce poverty to 15.6%, and promote regional balance. However, it faces criticism for insufficient attention to northern Bangladesh. This disparity is not merely a statistic; it reflects a broader systemic issue rooted in historical neglect and unequal resource distribution.
Discrimination in Budget Allocations
One of the most significant contributors to the poverty gap between the north and the south is unequal budgetary allocation. Successive governments have tended to prioritize development in regions with higher economic returns, such as Dhaka and Chattogram, leaving northern districts underfunded. Data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) shows that northern districts often receive disproportionately lower funding for infrastructure, healthcare, and education. The budget for the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) for the 2023–2024 fiscal year is Tk5,269.45 crore. This is an increase from the previous year’s budget of Tk5,048.5 crore. While the proposed budget for the 2023-2024 fiscal year for the Rajshahi City Corporation (RCC) is around Tk 10.15 billion (1015.35 crore).The scenario is also same for other city corporation in northern part.
Lack of Industrial Development
Industrialization has been a cornerstone of economic development in southern districts like Chattogram and Khulna. The presence of seaports, export processing zones (EPZs), and a relatively skilled workforce has fostered a thriving industrial economy in the south. Conversely, the north lacks significant industrial hubs, leaving the region heavily reliant on agriculture, which employs over 70% of its workforce.
According to a 2021 report by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), only 10% of industrial investments in Bangladesh are directed toward northern districts. The absence of infrastructure such as highways, rail links, and power plants further discourages investment in the region. As a result, young people from the north often migrate to Dhaka or other cities in search of employment, leaving behind an aging population and a shrinking local economy.
Educational Disparities
Education is a critical driver of economic mobility, but northern Bangladesh lags significantly behind in educational attainment. The literacy rate in the northern region is approximately 57%, compared to the national average of 75%, according to BBS data. This gap stems from several factors, including inadequate schools, lack of trained teachers, and high dropout rates due to poverty. A study revealed that the northern region experiences lower school enrollment rates due to poverty which driven child labor practices day by day.
Universities and technical institutions are also concentrated in southern and central regions. For instance, Dhaka hosts over 30 universities and several technical institutes, while northern districts like Kurigram and Lalmonirhat have limited access to higher education. There are more than 35 public universities in southern region while there are only 14 public universities in our north. This educational disparity perpetuates the cycle of poverty, as young people in the north are less likely to acquire the skills needed for higher-paying jobs.
Transportation and Connectivity
Poor infrastructure is a significant barrier to economic development in northern Bangladesh. Many rural areas lack proper roads, making it difficult for farmers to transport their goods to markets. A World Bank report indicated that inadequate transportation contributes to increased costs for agricultural products, further exacerbating poverty levels in these regions. The economy of northern Bangladesh heavily relies on agriculture, with over 70% of the population engaged in farming. However, agricultural productivity in this region is low due to outdated farming methods, fragmented landholdings, and vulnerability to natural disasters like floods and river erosion along with transportation problems. According to a survey, Northern districts contribute only 13% to Bangladesh’s GDP despite their heavy reliance on agriculture.
Limited Health Care Services
Health care access is another area severely affected by budget discrimination. The number of health care centers is inadequate compared to the population’s needs. For instance, only 42 health care centers serve a large portion of the population in Rangpur, whereas cities like Khulna have more than double that number per capita1. This results in longer wait times for treatment and limited medical services available to residents. Besides, the WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) budget for Rangpur is significantly lower than that allocated for larger cities. In 2018-19, while Dhaka received a substantial increase in WASH funding, Rangpur’s allocation remained stagnant or decreased. This has led to inadequate water supply systems and poor sanitation facilities, impacting public health and living conditions.
The poverty faced by northern Bangladesh is not merely a result of geography or historical circumstances; it is a consequence of systemic neglect and policy failures. While recent initiatives like the 8th Five-Year Plan aim to promote inclusiveness, their impact on the north remains limited. Also allocations for social safety net programs have decreased significantly. Approximately 46% of this budget is directed towards pensions for government employees and agricultural subsidies rather than directly aiding impoverished populations. A concerted effort to reallocate resources, encourage industrial growth, and invest in education and agriculture is essential to uplift northern Bangladesh from its persistent poverty. Addressing these challenges not only fulfil the promise of equitable growth but also ensures sustainable development for the entire nation. By prioritizing the needs of its northern districts, Bangladesh can take a crucial step toward realizing its vision of becoming a middle-income country where no region is left behind.
Humayra Tasnim Promi is a member of the Social Research Group (SRG) and an undergraduate student of Public Administration at Comilla University, Bangladesh. The article is a work in progress.
