Nearly half of Bangladeshi households borrowed money last year to cover essential expenses, highlighting the financial strain many families face as their spending continues to exceed their income, according to a quick survey by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
The survey, conducted among 3,000 households from September 14 to 18, found that 47.42% of households had to borrow money to meet their basic needs.
The findings showed a gap between household income and expenditure. The average monthly income of households stood at Tk 33,513, while average monthly expenditure reached Tk 35,311.
This means households spent Tk 1,798 more than they earned on average each month, creating a shortfall of approximately 5.1% of their income.
Rural households faced greater financial pressure than the national average. According to the survey, 51.91% of rural households borrowed money to cover essential expenses.
The figures suggest that a substantial proportion of families are relying on borrowing to bridge the gap between earnings and the cost of living. Such dependence can increase financial vulnerability, particularly when households have limited savings or face unexpected expenses.
The survey findings highlight concerns about household purchasing power and the ability of families to meet everyday needs from their regular income.
However, the figures provided do not specify the amounts borrowed, the sources of loans or the proportion of households that remain in debt. Further details would help assess the extent and longer-term implications of household financial stress in Bangladesh.
Dhaka, 22nd October
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