MDGs and Bangladesh:

The MDGs reflect the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration that was adopted by 189 nations
during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. Bangladesh has made noteworthy progress in the attainment
of MDGs during 1990-2000. Bangladeshs advancement towards MDGs is evident in human development, for
example attainment of gender parity in primary and secondary school enrolment.

Mid-way through to the 2015 target of MDGs attainment, Bangladesh has covered significant grounds and can
safely be said to be on track in relation to most of the targets. A midterm review of progress at the aggregate level
shows that Bangladesh is making progressive strides in reducing poverty, already bringing down the poverty gap
ratio to 9 against 2015 target of 8 with the rate of poverty reduction being 1.34 percent in relation to the required rate
of 1.23 percent. With regard to targets such as expansion of primary and secondary education, infant and child
mortality rate, containing the spread and fatality of malaria and tuberculosis, reforestation, access to safe drinking
water and sanitation latrines especially in urban areas, Bangladesh has done remarkably and may well reach several
of these targets before the stipulated time. The country has already achieved gender parity in primary and secondary
education and in the wage employment in the non-agriculture sector.

However, among the challenges that Bangladesh faces, improving maternal health is a major concern. Maternal
mortality, although currently on track, should be focused on more, particularly in the backdrop of recent flood and
cyclones. The country is also struggling in terms of maintaining protected areas, specially the wet lands, for bio-
diversity. Access to safe drinking water and sanitary latrines particularly in the rural areas is also an aspect where
focus is required. Yet another challenge that Bangladesh faces is in addressing certain pockets of poverty that are
lagging far behind with respect to the national averages and where the benefits of MDGs attainment need to be
specifically reached. These areas include the urban slums, the hill tracts, coastal belts and other ecologically
vulnerable areas.

After the implementation of the first Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) Unlocking the Potential: National
Strategy for Accelerated Poverty Reduction (NSAPR) prepared in 2005, the Government of Bangladesh is currently
in the process of finalizing its second PRSP titled Moving Ahead.

How UNDP promotes progress toward the MDGs

The newly aligned project Support to Monitoring PRS and MDGs in Bangladesh essentially delineates UNDP COs
efforts towards MDGs progress and attainment in Bangladesh. The broad objectives of the project include two-
pronged approach which involves a) MDGs-aligned National Strategies, Policy research, analysis and advocacy b)
Location of MDGs at the sub-national levels. (more...)

Status of MDGs in Bangladesh

• Goal 1: Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger

Bangladesh is well on track to achieving Goal 1 with poverty coming down to 40 percent in
2005. Also, the average annual rate of poverty reduction till 2005 has been 1.34 percent against
the required 1.23 percent to meet the 2015 target. The poverty gap ratio has also decreased
dramatically to 9.0 [View Status]

• Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education

While a significant 87 percent has been achieved in terms of primary school enrollment,
dropout rates remain high and therefore primary school completion rate low. Progress has been
made in adult literacy54 percent in 2005but additional effort is needed to reach the target.
[View Status]
• Goal 3: Promote Gender Equality & Empower Women
 Bangladesh has achieved gender parity in primary and secondary education together with being on track
with respect to percentage of women employed in agriculture sector. [View Status]

• Goal 4: Reduce Child Mortality

The country is on track with regard to achieving this goal. Significant strides have been made
in all three indicators and if the trend sustains, the country will meet the 2015 target well ahead
of schedule. [View Status]
• Goal 5: Improve Maternal Health
Although the maternal mortality ratio is on track, it remains a challenge for Bangladesh to
sustain the rate given the complex socio-economic factors that affect the goal. Also, the
percentage of skilled birth attendants is low. [View Status]

• Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases

Bangladesh has made some progress in combating the spread of malaria with the number of
prevalence dropping from 42 cases per 100,000 in 2001 to 34 in 2005. [View Status]

• Goal 7: Ensure Environmental Sustainability

While significant progress has been made in terms of access to safe drinking water and sanitary
latrines in urban areas, the same remains a challenge in rural areas. Also maintaining wet-lands
and bio-diversity is still a challenge. [View Status]

• Goal 8: Develop a Global partnership for Development

Penetration of telephone lines and internet, particularly cell phone usage, has increased to a
great extent but youth employment rate is still low. [View Status]

Overall, goal 3 is already achieved. There is more than 50% progress in attaining goal 2. In case of the
other goals, attainment is possible if necessary changes are made in policy and strategies.