BANGLADESH
Gender and economic life in a young, growing economy
Bangladesh is in a period of rapid change. The total fertility rate in 1971 when Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan was 6.9 children per woman and in 2017 it was 2.1 children per woman. This rapid fertility decline means that Bangladesh is in a phase with the potential for a “demographic dividend,” that is a population age structure with relatively more workers than dependent children or elders. This creates the possibility of enhanced economic growth, if the productive capacities of this larger working age population can be used. Focusing on gender is a crucial element of increasing overall productivity, as there is still much social pressure on families to have girls and boys and men and women engaged in economic activity that is appropriate to gender roles, but may not take advantage of each person’s full set of skills and talents.
Bangladesh is striving to make the most of its opportunities and is rapidly industrializing and raising living standards. Understanding the gendered economy in Bangladesh is part of supporting a population in the context of this rapid change.