Bangladesh: Social Progress, Demographic Change &
International Affairs (1971–2024)
This report summarizes Bangladesh's social progress, demographic transformation, and international relations
from independence in 1971 through 2024. It highlights major social gains in health, education and poverty
reduction; demographic shifts including declining fertility, growing urbanization, and changing age structure; and
international engagement spanning UN peacekeeping, the Rohingya refugee response, regional diplomacy, and
climate advocacy.
1. Social progress since 1971
Bangladesh has recorded substantial social improvements since 1971. Key achievements include: • Poverty
reduction: The poverty headcount has fallen dramatically over recent decades; World Bank estimates show
poverty (measured at $2.15/day 2017 PPP) fell from double-digit percentages a decade ago to about 5.0% in
2022. (World Bank) • Health and life expectancy: Life expectancy has risen markedly; child mortality rates have
declined, and immunization coverage expanded, driven by public health programs and NGO efforts. • Education
and literacy: Primary school enrollment increased substantially, female enrollment rose sharply, and literacy rates
improved, contributing to women's greater labor force participation, particularly in the RMG sector. • Social
innovations: Microfinance and targeted social safety nets have improved livelihoods; female empowerment via
employment in exports (garments) has reshaped social norms.
2. Demographic change and trends
Bangladesh's demographic profile transformed rapidly: • Population growth & size: From a much smaller
population in 1971, Bangladesh's population rose to about 170–175 million by the early 2020s, making it one of
the world's most densely populated countries. • Fertility decline: Total fertility fell from very high levels in 1971 to
near- or below-replacement levels by the 2020s (recent estimates put TFR around 1.9–2.1), transforming
household sizes and dependency ratios. • Urbanization: The urban share of the population climbed as people
migrated to Dhaka, Chattogram and other cities for jobs, fueling megacity growth and urban challenges like
congestion and housing pressure. • Age structure & demographic window: Declining fertility created a bulge in
working-age population, supporting a demographic dividend potential; however, aging and youth employment
remain policy priorities. • Migration & refugees: Overseas labor migration (remittances) became a major economic
factor. The Rohingya refugee influx (since 2017) brought over a million refugees to Cox's Bazar, creating
humanitarian, social and demographic stresses.
3. International affairs and diplomacy
Bangladesh's foreign policy has emphasized multilateralism and pragmatic ties. Key elements include: • UN
peacekeeping: Bangladesh emerged as one of the largest contributors of uniformed personnel to UN
peacekeeping missions, enhancing its global profile and providing income and training opportunities for its forces.
• Rohingya crisis and humanitarian diplomacy: Since the 2017 exodus from Myanmar, Bangladesh has hosted
more than a million Rohingya refugees, drawing intensive international humanitarian engagement, regional
diplomacy, and legal/rights advocacy. • Regional relations: Relations with neighbours (especially India and
Myanmar) are central, with cooperation and periodic tensions over trade, river water sharing, border security and
political developments. Bangladesh also deepened ties with China and engaged with the US, EU and other
partners for trade, investment and development aid. • Climate leadership: As one of the countries most exposed to
climate change, Bangladesh has been active in climate diplomacy, advocacy for adaptation finance, and building
resilience domestically.
4. Selected milestones (social, demographic, international)
Year Milestone / Impact
1971 Independence; start of nation-building and reconstruction of social services.
1978–1990s Family planning and public health campaigns drive fertility decline and child-survival gains.
1980s–2000s Expansion of primary education, female school enrollment rises; microfinance spreads.
Late 1990s–2010sReadymade garment sector drives female employment and export-led growth; remittances rise.
2010s Rapid urbanization; improvements in life expectancy and HDI; Bangladesh attains lower-middle incom
2017 Rohingya refugee crisis—mass influx begins, major humanitarian response centered in Cox's Bazar.
2020s Continued social gains but growing challenges: urban infrastructure, climate risks, and pressures on p
5. Conclusion
Bangladesh's post-1971 trajectory has been one of notable social progress and deep demographic
transformation, accompanied by active international engagement. Sustaining these gains will require investments
in urban planning, jobs for a changing labour force, social protection, climate resilience, and continued
constructive diplomacy to manage regional issues and humanitarian obligations.
References (selected sources)
• World Bank — Bangladesh overview; poverty, social and development indicators. (see World Bank country
page)
• UNDP Human Development Reports — Bangladesh country data and HDI trends.
• Demographic sources: World Bank Data; UN Population Division; national statistics and scholarly summaries.
• Reporting on Rohingya crisis and regional diplomacy (e.g., Reuters, AP) and analyses of Bangladesh's
peacekeeping role.
