Economy Overview
Garment exports, the backbone of Bangladesh's industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports and surpassed $25 billion in 2016. The sector continues to grow, despite a series of high-profile factory accidents that have killed more than 1,000 workers and crippling strikes, including a nationwide transportation blockade orchestrated by the political opposition during the first several months of 2015. Steady export growth in the garment sector combined with remittances from overseas Bangladeshis - which totaled about $15 billion and 8% of GDP in 2015 - are key 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
11.1% (2016 est.)
Labor Force
72.05 million
Labor Force by Occupation
Agriculture: 47%
Industry: 13%
Services: 40% (2010 est.)
Unemployment Rate
4.1% (2015 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: $22.61 billion
Expenditures: $33.72 billion (2016 est.)
Public Debt
26.7% of GDP (2015 est.)
Central Bank Discount Rate
5% (30 October 2015)
Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate
Stock of Narrow Money
$21.44 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Broad Money
$106.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Domestic Credit
$115.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Market Value of Publicly Traded Shares
$23.55 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
Reserves of Foreign Exchange and Gold
$27.49 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt External
$38.64 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment at Home
$12.91 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Stock of Direct Foreign Investment Abroad
$188 million (31 December 2015 est.)
Exchange Rates
81.86 (2012 est.)
