The World Bank has released a report that underscores the remarkable economic progress made under the leadership of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, directly contradicting the narrative propagated by some paid propagandists of the current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
The report, titled “Bangladesh Poverty and Equity Assessment 2025,” reveals that Bangladesh reduced poverty and extreme poverty by half between 2010 and 2022, a period marked by Hasina’s tenure.
Mohammad Ali Arafat, a former state minister, took to social media to highlight the report’s findings, stating: “Some paid propagandists of Yunus have been spreading a false narrative before and after 5th August, 2024, about Sheikh Hasina’s economic performance, calling her government kleptocratic, etc. This World Bank report is a huge slap in the face of those liars.”
Arafat emphasised that the hard data and empirical evidence clearly demonstrate the substantial improvements in poverty reduction, quality of life, and access to essential services during Hasina’s leadership.
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The World Bank report indicates that extreme poverty in Bangladesh fell from 12.2% to 5.6%, and moderate poverty dropped from 37.1% to 18.7% between 2010 and 2022. This progress lifted 34 million people out of poverty, significantly improving living standards and expanding access to electricity, education, and sanitation for all citizens.
The report also notes, however, that since 2016, the pace of poverty reduction has slowed, and economic growth has become less inclusive, attributing this to changing global contexts, severe climate vulnerabilities, and a slower rate of job creation.
Despite these challenges, the overall trajectory under Hasina’s leadership has been one of remarkable advancement. Jean Pesme, World Bank Division Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, commented: “For years, Bangladesh has been known for its success in poverty reduction. But with a changing global context, severe climate vulnerabilities, and a slower rate of job creation, labour income has weakened.”
This acknowledgement of past successes contrasts sharply with the criticisms levelled by supporters of the interim government, who have labelled Hasina’s administration as kleptocratic and ineffective.
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Arafat’s defense of Sheikh Hasina’s economic legacy is part of a broader narrative that seeks to counter the propaganda disseminated by elements within the interim government and their allies. The World Bank’s findings provide a factual basis for this defense, highlighting the tangible benefits accrued under Hasina’s leadership despite the challenges faced in the latter years of her tenure.
As Bangladesh navigates this period of transition, the international community must consider the empirical evidence presented in the World Bank report when assessing the country’s economic trajectory.
The report’s validation of Hasina’s policies serves as a reminder of the progress made and the potential risks of derailing this momentum through divisive rhetoric and actions. The people of Bangladesh deserve a leadership that builds on this progress, prioritising stability, development, and peaceful coexistence with neighbours, rather than engaging in dangerous geopolitical gambits.
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