Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS)

About Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is the central statistical organization of Bangladesh, responsible for collecting, compiling, and disseminating statistical data about the country's economic, social, demographic, and environmental aspects. As the principal national statistical agency, it plays a vital role in providing reliable and timely statistics to support evidence-based policy formulation, planning, monitoring, and evaluation of development programs.

Established under the Statistics Division of the Ministry of Planning, the BBS serves as the primary source of official statistics for governmental institutions, researchers, international organizations, businesses, and the general public.

The BBS operates with a mission to produce quality statistics for evidence-based decision-making, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and adhering to international statistical standards and ethical practices.

History and Establishment

The statistical system in Bangladesh traces its origins to the East Pakistan Provincial Statistical Office established in the 1950s. Following the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the organizational structure underwent transformations to meet the new nation's statistical requirements.

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics was officially established in 1974 through the restructuring of the former Central Statistical Office. Since its inception, the BBS has expanded its scope and capacity significantly, adapting to the growing statistical needs of a developing nation.

Throughout its history, the BBS has implemented several reforms to enhance its capabilities, including the adoption of new methodologies, technological advancements, and capacity-building initiatives. These developments have positioned the BBS as a respected statistical organization in the South Asian region.

Functions and Responsibilities

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics carries out diverse functions to fulfill its role as the national statistical office. Its primary responsibilities include:

• Conducting periodic population and housing censuses
• Implementing economic censuses and sectoral surveys
• Compiling and publishing national accounts statistics
• Collecting and analyzing agricultural data
• Monitoring price indices and inflation rates
• Measuring employment and labor market indicators
• Tracking poverty and inequality indicators
• Conducting surveys on health, education, and social welfare
• Producing vital statistics and demographic indicators
• Disseminating statistical publications and reports
• Providing statistical consultancy and data services
• Coordinating statistical activities across government agencies

Major Surveys and Statistical Programs

The BBS conducts a comprehensive suite of surveys and statistical programs to gather data across various domains. Key initiatives include:

• Population and Housing Census: Conducted every ten years, this nationwide enumeration provides detailed demographic and housing data. The last census took place in 2022, utilizing digital data collection technologies for improved accuracy and efficiency.
• Agricultural Census: This ten-yearly census collects information on agricultural holdings, crop production, livestock, fisheries, and agricultural practices, providing essential data for agricultural policy planning and food security monitoring.
• Economic Census: The BBS conducts economic censuses to gather comprehensive data on businesses, establishments, and economic activities across all sectors, which serves as the foundation for sampling frames and economic analysis.
• Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES): Regularly conducted to collect data on household income patterns, expenditure, and consumption. HIES forms the basis for poverty measurement, analysis of living standards, and development monitoring.
• Labor Force Survey (LFS): This survey provides essential data on employment status, unemployment rates, underemployment, working hours, occupational distribution, and other labor market characteristics.
• Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS): Implemented in collaboration with UNICEF, this survey focuses on monitoring the situation of women and children, covering health, nutrition, education, and protection indicators.
• Demographic and Health Survey (DHS): Conducted in partnership with international agencies to collect data on fertility, family planning, maternal and child health, and nutrition.
• Price Collection and Consumer Price Index: The BBS maintains a continuous price collection system covering various markets across the country to calculate inflation indicators including the Consumer Price Index.

Publications and Reports

The BBS produces an extensive range of publications to disseminate statistical information. Key publications include:

• Statistical Yearbook of Bangladesh - A comprehensive annual publication containing statistical data across various sectors
• Census Reports - Detailed findings from population, housing, agricultural, and economic censuses
• Sectoral Statistical Bulletins - Focused reports on specific sectors such as agriculture, industry, trade, and services
• Monthly Statistical Bulletin - Timely data on key economic indicators and price statistics
• Bulletin of Statistics - Quarterly publication featuring socio-economic indicators
• National Accounts Statistics - Reports on GDP estimates, sectoral contributions, and economic growth
• Price Statistics Bulletin - Inflation indicators and price index analyses
• Vital Statistics Reports - Demographic indicators including birth, death, and fertility rates
• Poverty Maps and Assessments - Spatial analysis of poverty and welfare indicators
• District Statistics - Sub-national statistical information for all districts of Bangladesh

Many of these publications are available in digital format through the BBS website, enhancing accessibility for users worldwide.

Organizational Structure

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics is structured into several wings and divisions, each responsible for specific statistical domains:

• Demography and Health Wing: Handles population censuses, demographic surveys, and health statistics
• Agriculture, Environment, and Disaster Management Wing: Responsible for agricultural statistics, environmental indicators, and disaster-related data collection
• Industry and Labour Wing: Manages industrial censuses, establishment surveys, and labor statistics
• Price and Trade Wing: Oversees price collection, consumer price indices, and trade statistics
• National Accounts Wing: Compiles national accounts data and GDP estimates
• Social Statistics Wing: Focuses on education, social welfare, gender statistics, and socioeconomic surveys
• Geographic Information System Wing: Incorporates geospatial analysis and mapping into statistical operations
• Data Processing Wing: Provides technical support in data processing, analysis, and quality control
• Administration Wing: Manages administrative, human resources, and logistical matters

At the grassroots level, the BBS maintains a network of regional and district statistical offices throughout the country, ensuring effective data collection and dissemination at the sub-national level.

International Cooperation

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics maintains active collaborations with various international organizations to enhance its capabilities and align with global standards. Key partnerships include:

• United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD): Supporting implementation of international standards and methodological frameworks
• World Bank: Providing technical assistance and capacity building in statistical operations
• International Monetary Fund (IMF): Supporting improvements in economic statistics and national accounts
• Asian Development Bank (ADB): Financing statistical development projects and technical cooperation
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): Supporting statistical capacity building and data dissemination
• United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF): Collaborating on surveys focusing on children's welfare and development
• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO): Supporting agricultural statistics and food security monitoring
• International Labour Organization (ILO): Collaborating on labor statistics and methodology development
• PARIS21: Partnering in statistical capacity development and strategic planning

These partnerships provide technical expertise, financial resources, and knowledge sharing opportunities that significantly contribute to the development of Bangladesh's statistical system.

Quality Assurance and Statistical Standards

The BBS is committed to maintaining high quality in its statistical products and services. Quality assurance mechanisms include:

• Adherence to international statistical standards and methodologies
• Implementation of data quality control procedures throughout the survey process
• Training and capacity building for staff at all levels
• Regular methodological reviews and improvements
• Peer assessment and external technical evaluations
• Application of the UN Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics

The BBS continues to enhance its quality systems to ensure the reliability, relevance, and timeliness of statistical outputs.

Current Initiatives

The BBS is continually evolving to meet emerging statistical challenges. Key initiatives include:

• Implementation of the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics (NSDS) to guide medium-term statistical development
• Adoption of modern data collection technologies, including Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) and geographic information systems
• Development of a comprehensive statistical data warehouse to improve data management and access
• Strengthening of administrative records as a complementary data source for statistical production
• Enhancement of data dissemination platforms through improved website functionality and open data initiatives
• Integration of satellite imagery and geospatial data in agricultural and environmental statistics
• Development of statistical capacity through comprehensive training programs
• Expansion of sub-national statistical production to support decentralized planning

Contact Information

For more information, data requests, or inquiries, contact the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics: