Economy Overview
Garment exports, the backbone of Bangladesh's industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports and surpassed $25 billion in 2015. The sector continues to grow, despite a series of factory accidents that have killed more than 1,000 workers, and crippling strikes, including a nationwide transportation blockade implemented by the political opposition during the first several months of 2015. Steady garment export growth combined with remittances from overseas Bangladeshis - which totaled about $15 billion and 8% of GDP in 2015 - are the largest contributors to Bangladesh's sustained economic growth and rising foreign exchange reserves.
Agriculture Products
rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry
Industries
jute, cotton, garments, paper, leather, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum products, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tea, salt, sugar, edible oils, soap and detergent, fabricated metal products, electricity, natural gas
Industrial Production Growth Rate
9.7% (2015 est.)
Labor Force
81.95 million
Labor Force by Occupation
Agriculture: 47%
Industry: 13%
Services: 40% (2010 est.)
Unemployment Rate
5% (2014 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line
31.5% (2010 est.)
Household Income or Consumption by Percentage Share
Lowest 10%: 4%
Highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)
Distribution of Family Income Gini Index
33.6 (1996)
Budget
Revenues: $20.96 billion
Expenditures: $30.75 billion (2015 est.)
Public Debt
27.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
Central Bank Discount Rate
5% (31 December 2009)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Stock of Narrow Money
$18.99 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of Broad Money
$95.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of Domestic Credit
$103 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
$23.55 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
$22.31 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Debt External
$34.93 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
$10.03 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
$159 million (31 December 2014 est.)
Exchange Rates
74.152 (2011 est.)
