Bangladesh has a population of over 171 million people,[1] with nearly 60% of inhabitants living in rural areas.[2] Approximately 37%[3] of the population is employed in the agricultural sector, which accounts for nearly 11% of the nation’s GDP.[4]
Agriculture supports the majority of the population, with many smallholder households operating in the informal economy.[5] Smallholders make up the majority of farmers in Bangladesh, a group that has a disproportionately high poverty rate compared to the national average. Bangladesh and its farmers are particularly vulnerable to climate change as most of the nation is less than 5 meters above sea level, which significantly predisposes them to flooding.[6]
Rice is the largest commodity in production in Bangladesh, followed by potatoes, maize, sugar cane and fresh milk.[7] In terms of export, the top commodities are jute, non-alcoholic beverages, vegetable oil, soya beans and potatoes.[8]
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=BD
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.RUR.TOTL.ZS?locations=BD
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=BD
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=BD
- ^ CGAP. (2016). National Survey and Segmentation of Smallholder Households in Bangladesh. https://www.cgap.org/sites/default/files/researches/documents/Working-Paper-Smallholder-National-Survey-Bangladesh-May-2017.pdf
- ^ IFAD. (2018). Smallholder Agriculture Competitiveness Project (SACP). https://webapps.ifad.org/members/eb/123/docs/EB-2018-123-R-13-Project-Design-Report.pdf
- ^ FAOSTAT. (2022). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country
- ^ FAOSTAT. (2022). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country_exports
Minimum wage
The minimum wage in Bangladesh varies by sector and skill level. The minimum wage for general workers is 8,000 Bangladeshi taka (66 EUR) per month, value implemented in 2013.[1] The garment industry is a significant contributor to the nation’s economic growth,[2] therefore, in many regions it's common to have a minimum wage for the sector. In Dhaka, for example, it's 12,500 Bangladeshi taka (102 EUR)[1]. Yet, many workers in Bangladesh are still employed informally and minimum wage regulations and labour laws are not always ensured.[3] In 2023, Bangladesh was featured among the world’s 10 worst countries for workers[4].
Living Wage
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed 2 Living Wage Benchmarks for urban Bangladesh based on the Anker methodology. One estimate is for Dhaka city, and the other for Dhaka's surrounding satellite cities and districts, while both focus on garment workers.
In Bangladesh, the garment industry employs over 4 million workers, an estimated 65% of whom are women.[5] The living wage for workers living in Dhaka city is 27,900 Bangladeshi taka (229 EUR) per month[2], while the estimated living wage for satellite cities surrounding Dhaka is 23,100 Bangladeshi taka (189 EUR) per month. Both benchmarks are based on a family of 4 with 1.58 workers.[6] These living wage estimates are more than twice the minimum wage designated for the garment industry in the Dhaka region, for example.
- a, b WageIndicator Foundation. (2024). https://wageindicator.org/salary/minimum-wage/bangladesh
- a, b Global Living Wage Coalition. (2024). https://www.globallivingwage.org/living-wage-benchmarks/urban-bangladesh/
- ^ U.S. Department of State (2023). https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/bangladesh/
- ^ ITUC Global Rights Index, 2024: No guarantee of rights.
- ^ U.S. Department of State. (2023). https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/bangladesh/
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition (2024). Dhaka Satellite Cities. https://www.globallivingwage.org/living-wage-benchmarks/urban-bangladesh-surrounding-dhaka/
Living income
The Living Wage Benchmarks included a Living Income report, estimating the living income in both Dhaka City, as well as Satellite Cities and Districts Surrounding Dhaka. For Dhaka City, a living income was estimated at 40,228 Bangladeshi taka (368 EUR) per month[1] . For the surrounding areas, the value was estimated at 33,309 Bangladeshi taka (305 EUR) per month[2]. This is the net income a typical family of 4 with 1.58 workers needs monthly to afford a basic but decent living in both areas.
- ^ Living Wage for Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Urban Bangladesh. (2023). https://www.globallivingwage.org/living-wage-benchmarks/urban-bangladesh/
- ^ Living Wage for Satellite Cities and Districts Surrounding Dhaka, Bangladesh. Urban Bangladesh. (2023). https://www.globallivingwage.org/living-wage-benchmarks/urban-bangladesh-surrounding-dhaka/
Country study in the garment industry 
Country study report looking at labour law and labour conditions in the garment industry in Bangladesh. Fair Wear Foundation, 2018.
The economic lives of smallholder farmers
An analysis of smallholder farmer incomes based on household data from nine countries. FAO, 2015.
Living Wage Benchmark, Urban Bangladesh
Living wage estimates for Dhaka city and for the satellite cities and districts surrounding Dhaka, in urban Bangladesh, with context on the garment industry.
Living Wage for Satellite Cities and Districts Surrounding Dhaka, Bangladesh
This report estimates living wages for areas of Dhaka with large concentrations of garment factories.
Fair Wear Foundation Wage Ladder
The Fair Wear Foundation Wage Ladder is an easy-to-use online tool that allows the wages paid at any factory to be compared against a range of wage benchmarks.
Labour Minute Costing Calculators
Fair Wear’s Labour Minute Costing Calculators allow brands and factories to calculate labour costs based on a transparent methodology for costing/pricing of goods.