The total number of economic units in Bangladesh stood at 11,877,364 during the Economic Census 2024, marking significant growth from previous years, according to preliminary findings published on Wednesday.

The census results, presented by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), provide insights into the country’s economic landscape, highlighting sectoral trends, employment distribution, and regional variations.

1. Breakdown of economic units:
   • Permanent establishments: 6,288,214
   • Temporary establishments: 576,621
   • Economic households: 5,012,529
2. Sectoral distribution:
   • Service sector: 91.23%
   • Manufacturing sector: 8.77%
3. Urban vs. rural presence:
   • Urban areas: 29.73% (3,531,203 units)
   • Rural areas: 70.27% (8,346,161 units)

The findings indicate that while urban economic activities have increased, rural areas continue to dominate, reflecting the country’s economic structure.

The census data show a consistent increase in economic units over the decades:

• 1986: 2,169,419 units
• 2001-03: 3,708,144 units (70.92% growth)
• 2013: 7,818,565 units (110.85% growth)
• 2024: 11,877,364 units (51.91% growth since 2013)

This steady expansion reflects the diversification of business activities and the growing contribution of household-based economic enterprises.

Employment landscape

The total number of persons engaged in economic activities reached 30,761,034, with the following gender distribution:

• Male workers: 25,630,298
• Female workers: 5,128,677
• Hijra workers: 2,059

The data also reveal employment distribution by business type:

• Permanent establishments: 77.10%
• Temporary establishments: 2.58%
• Economic households: 20.32%

Challenges

Despite growth, businesses face major obstacles:

• Capital shortage: 85.84% of units reported financial constraints.
• Loan accessibility issues: 34.41% of businesses struggle to secure financing.

These findings highlight the need for better access to credit and financial support mechanisms for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Regional distribution

The distribution of economic units across Bangladesh’s eight divisions shows significant variation:

• Dhaka: 3,209,850 units
• Chattogram: 2,079,951 units
• Rajshahi: 1,692,604 units
• Khulna: 1,518,134 units
• Rangpur: 1,361,423 units
• Mymensingh: 791,632 units
• Barishal: 668,736 units
• Sylhet: 555,034 units

At the publication event in Dhaka, Planning Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud noted that the census findings align with economic assumptions and will be useful for policymakers, businesses, and researchers. He emphasized the increasing resemblance of rural areas to urban centers due to economic diversification.

Economist Dr KAS Murshid pointed out that the census provides valuable insights into employment and sectoral shifts. He expressed optimism that the final report will offer deeper analysis of structural changes in the economy.

Statistics and Informatics Division Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain stressed that the census findings would play a crucial role in shaping economic policies and planning Bangladesh’s future economic trajectory.