Sustainable Development Goals Bangladesh Progress Report 2020
National Context and Framework
Bangladesh has fully integrated the Sustainable Development Goals into national development planning. The Eighth Five Year Plan (2020-2025) is aligned with SDG targets, ensuring development coherence. The SDG Implementation and Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs, provides oversight of progress across 39 ministries and divisions.
Progress by Goal
Poverty rate reduced from 31.5% in 2010 to 20.5% in 2019. Extreme poverty dropped to 9.4% in 2019. The pandemic has reversed some gains, with an estimated 14.7% of households falling into poverty during 2020.
Food grain production reached 38.6 million metric tons in 2020, up from 34.7 million in 2015. Bangladesh achieved self-sufficiency in rice production. Nutrition indicators improved but child stunting remains at 28%.
Life expectancy increased to 72.6 years in 2020. Maternal mortality declined to 165 per 100,000 live births. COVID-19 response strengthened health system capacity though equity in healthcare access remains a challenge.
Primary education completion rate reached 83.2% in 2019. Gender parity achieved in primary education. School dropout rate decreased to 30.8% but COVID-19 disrupted learning for over 40 million students.
Women's labor force participation increased to 36.3% in 2019. 31% of parliamentary seats held by women. Early marriage rate decreased to 59% but violence against women remains a serious concern.
Access to improved drinking water reached 98.7%. Safely managed sanitation coverage increased to 47.4%. Arsenic contamination and water scarcity in coastal areas pose ongoing challenges.
Electricity access reached 97% coverage. Per capita electricity consumption increased from 376 kWh to 425 kWh. Renewable energy constitutes 3.1% of the energy mix, falling short of the 10% target.
GDP growth averaged 7%+ pre-pandemic. Growth slowed but remained positive at 5.2% in FY 2020. Unemployment stands at 4.2%, though underemployment and informal sector vulnerabilities persist.
Construction of mega infrastructure projects including Padma Bridge and Metro Rail progressed. Internet penetration reached 54.1%. R&D expenditure increased to 0.5% of GDP.
Gini coefficient remained stable at 0.32. Social safety net coverage expanded to 26% of population, distributing 4.1 billion Taka to 17 million households via digital transfer systems.
63% of urban population has access to improved sanitation. Dhaka mass rapid transit construction on track. "Awas" project provided housing to over 5,000 homeless families.
Plastic waste management regulations strengthened. E-waste guidelines implemented. Industrial pollution control measures expanded but compliance remains challenging.
Bangladesh invested $450 million in climate projects. The country developed the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan. 11,300 hectares afforested in 2019-20.
Marine protected areas expanded to 289,000 hectares. Sustainable fishing regulations implemented. Marine pollution concerns remain, particularly plastic waste in coastal waters.
Forest coverage increased to 17.5% of land area. Tiger population in Sundarbans stabilized at 114. Biodiversity conservation efforts expanded in the Hill Tracts region.
Digital government initiatives improved access to justice. Human rights Commission strengthened. Anti-corruption measures continued though implementation gaps persist.
Official development assistance received at $12.5 billion in 2019-20. Public-private partnerships for development expanded. Regional cooperation frameworks strengthened.
COVID-19 Impact on SDGs
The pandemic has created significant setbacks, particularly for Goals 1, 3, 4, 8, and 9. Economic contraction, education disruption, and increased health vulnerabilities have threatened progress. However, Bangladesh's response was relatively effective compared to many countries, preserving development gains in many areas.
Notable Achievements in 2020
Despite pandemic challenges, Bangladesh achieved significant milestones:
- Completed construction of the Payra Thermal Power Plant, addressing energy shortages
- Launched digitized social protection program reaching 17 million households
- Reached 97% electricity coverage, fulfilling Vision 2021 target
- Expanded mobile financial services to 90 million users, enhancing financial inclusion
- Deployed innovative digital government platforms ensuring service continuity during lockdowns
Priorities for Accelerated Progress
Bangladesh has identified key priority areas requiring focused attention:
- Quality and inclusion in education, with emphasis on digital learning infrastructure
- Universal health coverage with strengthened primary healthcare services
- Decent employment creation, particularly for youth and women
- Climate resilience and adaptation measures for vulnerable coastal areas
- Urban planning and sustainable transport infrastructure
- Addressing malnutrition, particularly among children and women
Data and Monitoring
Bangladesh has developed a comprehensive SDG monitoring framework with 229 priority indicators. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics has strengthened data collection systems. Digital SDG data visualization platforms enhance transparency. Data disaggregation by geography, sex, age, and income remains an ongoing challenge.
Resource Mobilization
Budget allocation for SDG-related programs increased to 23% of total development expenditure. The government estimates an annual financing gap of $80-100 billion for full SDG achievement. Innovative financing mechanisms, including green bonds and impact investment, are being explored to bridge this gap.
Stakeholder Engagement
Multi-stakeholder platforms including the NGO Coordination Committee, Business Advisory Council, and Youth Advisory Group contribute to SDG implementation. Civil society organizations continue to play vital roles in service delivery, advocacy, and monitoring, particularly for marginalized communities.
Regional Cooperation
Bangladesh actively participates in regional SDG initiatives, including the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). These platforms facilitate knowledge sharing, disaster management cooperation, and sustainable development collaboration.
Looking Forward
As Bangladesh progresses toward its development aspirations, the SDG framework guides the transition from development assistance graduation to middle-income status. The country's proactive pandemic response measures demonstrate resilience and preparedness to overcome challenges toward sustainable development for all.
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