Report Shows Bangladesh 2nd Best Performer In Attaining Most Of SAARC Development Goals

Bangladesh has outperformed other Saarc countries in cutting down the overall fertility rate (TFR) as it came down to 2.6 percent in 2011 from 3.9 percent in 1990 , leaving Sri Lanka and India, Pakistan behind.

Apart from Srilanka, Bangladesh, has performed the best in reducing infant and under-five mortality rate, increasing life expectancy at birth, access to improved sanitation and infant immunisation.

Life expectancy at birth in Bangladesh is 69 years while it is 65 in both India and Pakistan.

In terms of infant mortality rate (per 1,000 live births), 37 children die in Bangladesh, while it was 97 years in 1990. For India, it is 47 and 59 in Pakistan.

Bangladesh's per capita income has more than doubled in 2011 from $741 in 1990, says the report.

In 2011, maternal mortality ratio (MMR), Bangladesh made remarkable progress in cutting down MMR by more than threefold from 800 in 1990.

The ministry evaluated the performance of Saarc countries in poverty alleviation, health, education and environment in 2011 compared to that in 1990.

At the 2004 Saarc summit, the member states set 22 goals in the four areas with 66 measurable indicators to fight poverty. The ministry made the evaluation on eight of the goals.

The report commented that Bangladesh has achieved significant progress towards eradicating poverty, largely due to robust economic growth.

Additional factors contributing to poverty reduction include an increased life expectancy, lower fertility rate, changes in population structure, increase in labour income, improved telecommunication connectivity, internal migration and safety net programme, it says.

Planning Commission member Prof Shamsul Alam, said Bangladesh demonstrated its capacity in achieving the goal of poverty reduction within the target timeframe.