Poverty has not decreased over the past three years; on the contrary, it has risen significantly. The national poverty rate now stands at 27.93 percent—approximately 28 percent—compared to 18.7 percent in 2022, according to government data.
This alarming picture of rising poverty emerged in a study released Monday by the private research institute Power and Participation Research Center (PPRC). The findings, published under the title *“Economic Dynamics and Mood at Household Level in Mid-2025,”* were presented at the LGED auditorium in Agargaon, Dhaka. PPRC Executive Chairman Hossain Zillur Rahman highlighted various aspects of the research.
According to the study, the rate of extreme poverty has also increased. Government estimates put the extreme poverty rate at 5.6 percent in 2022, but by 2025 it had risen to 9.35 percent. The report also noted that 18 percent of families remain at risk of falling into poverty at any time.
The research, conducted in May, was based on the opinions of 33,207 individuals from 8,067 households.
PPRC identified three major crises driving this situation: the Covid-19 pandemic (2020–2022), rising inflation, and ongoing political and economic uncertainty.
Although the incidence of bribery has declined since August last year, it has not been eliminated, the study noted. Before August, 8.54 percent of respondents reported paying bribes to obtain services. After August, that rate dropped to 3.69 percent. Government offices accounted for the highest number of bribes, followed by the police and political leaders.
The research also revealed that while the monthly income of urban households has decreased over the past three years, their expenses have continued to rise. The average monthly income of an urban family is now Tk 40,578, while average expenses amount to Tk 44,961. In comparison, in 2022 the average monthly income was Tk 45,578.
In rural areas, however, household incomes have increased slightly. The average monthly income of a rural family now stands at Tk 29,205, with expenses of Tk 27,162. Back in 2022, the average income was Tk 26,163.
Nationally, the average monthly income of a household is Tk 32,685, while average expenses are Tk 32,615—leaving virtually no savings.
The study also detailed household expenditure patterns. It found that about 55 percent of a family’s monthly spending goes to food purchases. On average, a family spends Tk 10,614 per month on food. Other expenses include Tk 1,822 on education, Tk 1,556 on healthcare, Tk 1,478 on transportation, and Tk 1,089 on housing.
