Bangladesh to become $1 trillion economy by 2040: BCG

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) has said that Bangladesh is on course to become a $1 trillion economy by 2040, driven by consumer optimism, innovation in emerging economic sectors and a young engaged workforce.

With average annual growth of 6.4% between 2016 and 2021, the South Asian nation has outpaced peers such as India, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Thailand, the BCG said in a report released on Friday.

The report said Bangladesh's domestic consumer market was set to become the ninth-largest in the world. And, a rapidly expanding middle and affluent class was projected to rise substantially between 2020 and 202d, with a robust gig economy propping up a workforce where the median age is just 28.

"The country could have easily been overshadowed by its neighbor to the northeast -- China -- or its continental cousin to the west -- India -- but in this region of economic powerhouses, Bangladesh stands tall," BCG wrote.

Bangladesh progressed from a low-income to a lower-middle-income country in 2015. Though that's five years later than India, Bangladesh's GDP per capita is already higher than its neighbor. The nation aims to become an upper-middle-income country by 2031.

The report said some challenges remain as recent issues with liquidity, as well as foreign exchange and inflationary pressures, may slow growth in the short term.

But, Bangladesh has taken measures to position its $416 billion economy for a lucrative few decades.

In a BCG survey analysis, 57% of respondents "continue to believe the next generation would have better lives than themselves, especially as the country transitions to a skill-based economy”.

"Though the economy faces some near-term volatility, we are confident that this highly resilient economy will continue to demonstrate robust growth in the long term," the report said.