what will be the monthly household cost of higher middle class after 20 years in Bangladesh?

 

Estimating the monthly household cost for a higher middle-class family in Bangladesh 20 years from now involves considering several factors, including inflation, economic growth, lifestyle changes, and potential shifts in consumption patterns. Here's a general approach to estimating this:

1. Current Monthly Household Cost

• As of 2023, a higher middle-class household in Bangladesh might spend around BDT 80,000 to 150,000 per month (approximately $750to$1,400 USD), depending on location, lifestyle, and family size. This includes expenses like housing, education, healthcare, transportation, utilities, and leisure.

2. Inflation Rate

• Bangladesh has historically experienced an average inflation rate of 5-7% per year. Over 20 years, even a modest inflation rate will significantly increase costs due to compounding.

3. Future Cost Calculation

• Using the compound inflation formula:

  $$\text{Future Cost}=\text{Current Cost}\times (1+\text{Inflation Rate}{)}^{\text{Number of Years}}$$

• Assuming an average inflation rate of 6%:

  $$\text{Future Cost}=100,000\times (1+0.06{)}^{20}\approx 100,000\times 3.207=320,700\text{ BDT per month}$$

• For a higher estimate (e.g., BDT 150,000 currently):

  $$\text{Future Cost}=150,000\times 3.207=481,050\text{ BDT per month}$$

4. Additional Considerations

• Economic Growth: If Bangladesh's economy grows significantly, incomes may rise, but so could the cost of living, especially in urban areas.

• Lifestyle Changes: Aspirational spending on education, healthcare, and luxury goods may increase.

• Urbanization: If more people move to cities, housing and transportation costs could rise faster than inflation.

• Global Factors: Changes in global commodity prices (e.g., fuel, food) could impact local costs.

5. Estimated Range

• Based on these factors, the monthly household cost for a higher middle-class family in Bangladesh in 2043 could range between BDT 300,000 to 500,000 (approximately $2,800to$4,700 USD at current exchange rates).

6. Currency Fluctuations

• If the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) depreciates against the USD, the equivalent cost in USD could be higher.

This is a rough estimate, and actual costs will depend on future economic conditions and individual family circumstances.

Health care sector in Bangladesh

 

Health care sector in Bangladesh

The health sector in Bangladesh faces a number of persistent and complex challenges. Here are some of the key problems:

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1. Insufficient Healthcare Infrastructure

• Limited hospital beds and facilities, especially in rural areas.

• Outdated equipment and lack of modern medical technologies.

• Poor maintenance of health facilities.

2. Shortage of Healthcare Professionals

• Low doctor-to-patient ratio, especially in remote areas.

• Uneven distribution of doctors and specialists, with a concentration in urban centers.

• Brain drain – many trained doctors and nurses seek better opportunities abroad.

3. Low Government Health Expenditure

• Bangladesh spends a low percentage of GDP on healthcare.

• Heavy reliance on out-of-pocket expenses by individuals, leading to inequality in access.

4. Inequitable Access to Healthcare

• Significant disparities between urban and rural populations.

• Marginalized groups, such as the poor, indigenous people, and slum dwellers, often lack access to basic healthcare.

5. Poor Quality of Care

• Inadequate training and supervision of healthcare workers.

• Overcrowded facilities and long wait times.

• Lack of accountability and monitoring.

6. Corruption and Mismanagement

• Misuse of public funds.

• Bribery and favoritism in public hospitals.

• Procurement and drug supply chain issues.

7. Lack of Health Education and Awareness

• Poor knowledge of hygiene, nutrition, and preventive care.

• Low awareness of diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and mental health issues.

8. Inadequate Emergency and Disaster Preparedness

• The system struggles to cope with natural disasters, epidemics, or other public health emergencies (e.g., COVID-19 exposed many gaps).

9. High Burden of Disease

• Both communicable (e.g., TB, dengue) and non-communicable diseases (e.g., heart disease, diabetes) are rising.

• Malnutrition and maternal/child health issues remain major concerns.

10. Weak Health Information Systems

• Poor data collection and analysis hinder effective planning and policymaking.

• Limited use of digital health records or telemedicine in many areas.

Here’s a visual summary followed by policy recommendations and key data to support the points mentioned earlier.

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🩺 Problems in the Health Sector of Bangladesh — Visual Summary

+--------------------------+----------------------------+
|    Problem Area          |       Description          |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Infrastructure           | Poor facilities, lack of   |
|                          | equipment, rural-urban gap |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Workforce Shortage       | Low doctor-patient ratio,  |
|                          | brain drain                |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Low Health Spending      | < 3% of GDP on healthcare  |
|                          | High out-of-pocket costs   |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Inequity in Access       | Rural areas underserved    |
|                          | Marginalized groups suffer |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Quality of Care          | Inadequate training,       |
|                          | poor patient safety        |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Corruption               | Misuse of funds, bribes    |
|                          | in hospitals               |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Health Education         | Lack of awareness on       |
|                          | hygiene and prevention     |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Emergency Response       | Weak systems for disasters |
|                          | & pandemics                |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Disease Burden           | Dual burden: infections &  |
|                          | chronic diseases           |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+
| Health Info Systems      | Poor data and digital gaps |
+--------------------------+----------------------------+

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🛠️ Policy Recommendations

1. Increase Health Budget

   • Gradually raise public health spending to at least 5% of GDP.

   • Reduce dependency on private expenditure.

2. Strengthen Rural Healthcare

   • Incentivize doctors to work in rural areas.

   • Invest in community clinics and mobile health units.

3. Improve Healthcare Governance

   • Strengthen anti-corruption oversight.

   • Make procurement and staffing more transparent.

4. Enhance Workforce Training

   • Invest in medical education and nursing training.

   • Upgrade technical skills and supervision systems.

5. Expand Health Insurance

   • Develop universal health coverage (UHC) pilots.

   • Protect low-income families from catastrophic spending.

6. Leverage Digital Health

   • Use telemedicine, e-health records, and SMS awareness campaigns.

   • Strengthen health management information systems (HMIS).

7. Public Health Campaigns

   • Run national awareness programs on hygiene, nutrition, and NCDs.

   • Partner with NGOs and media.

---

📊 Key Data (as of the latest available statistics)

Indicator	Value/Status
Health expenditure (2022 est.)	~2.5% of GDP
Doctor-to-population ratio	~1:1600
Hospital beds per 10,000 people	~8 (WHO recommends 50)
Out-of-pocket health expenses	~65% of total health spend
Life expectancy (2023)	~73 years
Infant mortality rate	~24 per 1000 live births
Undernourishment prevalence	~12% of the population

25 prominent YouTube channels that focus on Bangladeshi politics

 

Here are 25 prominent YouTube channels that focus on Bangladeshi politics, offering a mix of news coverage, political analysis, and commentary. These channels are instrumental in shaping public discourse and providing insights into the country's political landscape.

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📰 Mainstream News Channels

These channels are affiliated with established television networks and provide comprehensive news coverage, including political events, interviews, and debates.

1. Jamuna TV
   A leading news channel in Bangladesh, Jamuna TV offers extensive coverage of national and international political developments.

2. SOMOY TV Bulletin
   Known for its timely news updates, SOMOY TV provides in-depth political reporting and analysis.

3. Ekattor TV
   Offers a range of political programs and talk shows, focusing on current affairs and policy discussions.

4. DBC News
   Provides 24/7 news coverage with a strong emphasis on political events and governmental affairs.

5. ATN News
   Delivers news bulletins and political talk shows, covering both domestic and international politics.

6. BanglaVision News
   Focuses on political news, interviews, and special reports related to Bangladesh's political scene.

7. Channel 24
   Offers comprehensive news coverage, including political developments and policy analyses.

8. Independent Television
   Provides news updates and political talk shows, featuring discussions with experts and policymakers.

9. NEWS24
   Covers a wide range of political news, including live events, press conferences, and interviews.

10. NTV News
    Delivers news bulletins and political programs, focusing on current events and governmental affairs.

11. Channel i News
    Offers news coverage and political talk shows, highlighting key issues and policy debates.

12. Rtv News
    Provides news updates and political discussions, featuring interviews with political figures.

13. mytv Bangladesh
    Covers political news and current affairs, including live coverage of significant events.

14. Desh TV News
    Focuses on political reporting and analysis, offering insights into national and regional politics.

15. Asian TV HD
    Provides news coverage and political programs, discussing key issues affecting Bangladesh.

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🎙️ Independent Political Commentators

These channels are run by individual journalists and commentators who provide personal insights, investigative reports, and critical analyses of political events.

16. Elias Hossain
    A journalist known for investigative reporting on government corruption and human rights issues.

17. Pinaki Bhattacharya
    Hosts talk shows and discussions on political and social topics, the most trusted and loved channel, engaging with a broad audience.

18. kanaksarwarNEWS

🌐 International Perspectives

These channels provide global viewpoints on Bangladeshi politics, offering analyses and discussions from international organizations and media outlets.

19. Asia Society Policy Institute
    Hosts discussions on Bangladesh's political challenges and future prospects.

20. Al Jazeera English
    Covers significant political events in Bangladesh, providing international context and analysis.

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📺 Additional Noteworthy Channels

These channels also contribute to the political discourse in Bangladesh through news coverage and commentary.

21. UNB - United News of Bangladesh
    Offers news reports and political updates from across the country.

22. ATN Bangla News
    Provides news bulletins and political programs, focusing on national affairs.

23. BBC News বাংলা
     its YouTube channel features political news and analyses.

24. DW বাংলা
    Delivers news coverage and political commentary, highlighting key issues and events.

25. Daily Amar Desh
    YouTube channel of a newspaper provides news updates and political discussions, offering insights into Bangladesh's political landscape.

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These channels offer a comprehensive view of Bangladeshi politics, catering to diverse perspectives and interests. Whether you're looking for mainstream news coverage, independent analysis, or international viewpoints, these YouTube channels serve as valuable resources for understanding the political dynamics of Bangladesh.

 

OHCHR Fact-Finding Report: Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh [EN/BN]

click above and find the pdf in bangla and English

Drug addiction in Bangladesh, an analysis

 

It is estimated that near about 6 million people in Bangladesh are drug addicted and about 80 percent of the drug addicts are adolescents and young men of 15 to 30 years of age

According to the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) report, approximately 1 million people are involved in the drug business in Bangladesh, where women and children are used as mules and youth are the customers. Apart from alcohol, the most commonly abused drugs are 'Yaba', heroin, marijuana, and cough syrup 'Phensedyl'. A recent study estimates that the number of addicts in Bangladesh is more than six million who spend over Tk 70 million daily on illegal narcotics. Young people abuse drugs due to complex social and peer groups' influence, frustration, depression, curiosity, and sub-cultural and psychological environment that induce the youths to take drugs.

 An article in the New England Journal of Medicine says “addiction is a disease of the brain” whereas another leading journal specifies “Genetics contributes significantly to vulnerability to this disorder”. As with many other brain diseases, addiction has embedded behavioral and social-context aspects that are important parts of the disorder itself. An increased incidence of addiction is clearly a reflection of social demoralization. In countries like Bangladesh, people are easily demoralized because of social or peer influence. And widespread corruption, creating severe social injustices, and various types of criminal activities are very common here. Issues of moral value declines in common people are expressed in many pieces of literature. Frustration, unemployment, lack of recreation facilities, and bad companionship are the epic reasons for drug addiction among youth in this country.

The “Yaba” Turmoil In recent times, Yaba has gained popularity and has become a "fashionable" drug. It is estimated that there were about 4.6 million regular users of Yaba (several combinations of N-methylamphetamine and caffeine sold between BDT 300 to BDT 2000, as red or pink pills) in Bangladesh on or before 2012, which is around 10-15 million according to Association of Prohibiting Drug Abuse (MANAS) chief Dr. Arup Ratan Chaudhury. Around 80% of drug abusers are young people aged between 16 and 35, said the Department of Narcotic Control report, 2016 by the Home Ministry. Cannabis comprises 50% of all the cases detected by the same report. A BBC report in April 2019 says that Bangladeshi authorities seized 53 million Yaba tablets nationally in 2018. The total value of this illicit business is estimated to be worth upwards of $ 1 billion a year. The Naf River separating Bangladesh and Myanmar is used by drug smugglers to bring in enough yaba pills to allow the country to consume 2 million pills each day. Police say apart from the listed godfathers, some 500 new dealers are active in Teknaf now. According to Addiction Management Integrated Care (AMIC), some 250 female addicts took treatment at AMIC during the period from 2015 to 2018. Nearly half of them took Yaba mainly due to family unrest. More than 40% of unemployed youth are addicted. And among addicts, more than 40% are female, close to 50% are educated and 60% are sex offenders, around 95% are smokers and more than 85% get into consuming drugs under the influence of friends. The financial burden, one of the major burden areas, is likely to be experienced by the families due to the loss of patient's income and the use up of funds to procure substances they are dependent on. The economic burden may be caused by money spent on substances, or money problems associated with the loss of jobs or reliance on public assistance. A substance-dependent person in the family affects almost all aspects of family life, for example, interpersonal and social relationships, leisure time activities, and finances. Members may feel anger, frustration, anxiety, fear, worry, depression, shame, and guilt, or embarrassment. Substance dependence invariably increases conflicts, negatively affects family members and burdens families.

reference-Drug Addiction in Bangladesh: “A Consequence of Social Demoralization Rather than Individual Flaws”Abdul Kader Mohiuddin

 

Climate change forecast for Bangladesh

It has been estimated that by 2050, one in every seven people in Bangladesh will be displaced by climate change. Specifically, with a projected 19.6 inch (50 cm) rise in sea level, Bangladesh may lose approximately 11% of its land by then, and up to 18 million people may have to migrate because of sea-level rise alone.The findings from the forecasts show that in the business-as-usual scenario, annual average temperatures will increase by 0.95 per cent, greenhouse gas emissions will increase 5.17 per cent and a total of 30,366,230 households will be affected by climate change in Bangladesh in 2030.If the current global climate does not change, Bangladesh's GDP will shrink by 2% by 2050. Since two-thirds of the country is less than 15 feet above sea level, at least 20% of Bangladesh will be submerged if the sea level rises another three feet.

Hashem Khan paintings