Economics and Finance

This book comprises a selection of studies from the research team of the Extreme Poverty programme (EEP-Shiree), sponsored by GOB-DFID during 2008-16. Its core premise is that extreme poverty is significantly different as a socio-economic, political and cultural experience from being moderately poor in the society. This categorical distinction is centred around the principle of social isolation and exclusion from supportive networks of kin and social capital within communities, often reinforced by the prominence of female headed or managed extreme poor households.

This book presents a rigorous empirical study of various aspects of poverty and vulnerability in rural Bangladesh. The themes include the trend and structure of rural poverty, rural inequality, asset accumulation, rural labour market, crisis and vulnerability of rural life, the role of social security in the rural economy, and the role of microcredit. In comparison with other such poverty studies, this book can claim a number of distinctive features. 

Published in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh

Bangladesh has been ahead of the curve in responding to the challenges of risk, vulnerability and social protection. Having laid a robust foundation of safety net programs, the quest is now for a national social protection strategy that effectively aims for a sum that is greater than its parts.