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Quality of Growth in Bangladesh: Some New Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • IQBAL, KAZI

    (Senior Research Fellow, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies(BIDS),Dhaka,Bangladesh)

  • PABON, MD.NAHID FERDOUS

    (Research Associate, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies(BIDS),Dhaka,)

Abstract

In this short note, we take a fresh look at some aspects of quality of growth in Bangladesh – the role of growth in reducing poverty, generating employment and containing inequality. Our analysis is primarily based on the measures of elasticities using both primary and secondary data. We find that the elasticity of poverty with respect to national income has been declining very fast over time, indicating the gradual ineffectiveness of growth in reducing poverty. While inequality in income and consumption has been increasing, the elasticity of Gini with respect to national income has been declining. It indicates that economic growth has now been associated with lesser inequality. We also shed light on the debate of “jobless growth” and cast doubt on this proposition as we find that the income-elasticity of employment has been increasing over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Iqbal, Kazi & Pabon, Md.Nahid Ferdous, 2018. "Quality of Growth in Bangladesh: Some New Evidence," Bangladesh Development Studies, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS), vol. 41(02), pages 43-64, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:badest:0822
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    2. Iqbal, Kazi & Roy, Paritosh K. & Alam, Shamsul, 2020. "The impact of banking services on poverty: Evidence from sub-district level for Bangladesh," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Economic Growth; Poverty; Inequality; Employment; Bangladesh;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • I31 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - General Welfare, Well-Being
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs
    • J23 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Labor Demand
    • O40 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - General

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