Indicators of Development

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Indicators of Development Introduction This paper is mainly prepared in respect of Bangladesh context. Albeit, international perspective is also underlined in this paper. For Bangladesh, agriculture is the single largest producing sector of the economy, and it contributes about 22 percent to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This sector is also account for around 48 percent of the total labor force (BBS, 2008b). Average per capita income in Bangladesh increased to US$599 during the fiscal y6ear July 1, 2007- June 30, 2008, mainly due to remittances from citizens working abroad. If average per capita income were to reach US$750, Bangladesh would progress from its present least developed country (LDC) status to a middle income economy (IANS, 2008). Bangladesh has a population of about 150 million, with a corresponding population density of more than 920 persons per square kilometer. During the first half of the last century the population increased by 45 percent. According to the Bangladesh Population Policy, the population should stabilize at 210 million by 2060 if replacement-level fertility is reached by 2010. It is interesting that there is a wide disparity between the estimates for the Government of Bangladesh and others on exactly when the population will stabilize. However, a comparison of the 2004 and 2007 BDHS surveys shows a marked rise in primary education among women (NIPORT et al, 2005). Employment status varies widely by sex: 68 percent of men and 23 percent of women are currently employed. There is no difference in employment levels between rural and urban areas for either men or women. Nevertheless, since 2004 the proportion of men who regularly listen to the radio has decreased from 52 percent to the current level of 38 percent. This may account for the decrease in the proportion of men exposed to all three media (newspaper, television, and radio) from 17 percent in 2004 to 10 percent in 2007. In remainder of the paper, other possible all indicators of development have critically discussed.

Objectives of the study •

To advance the methodological understanding of the way in which sustainable development indicators (SDIs) are being developed.

To identify whether current methodologies allow for an inter-dimensional approach to the measurement of SD.

To examine whether one indicator can mostly represent the development of prescribed area/sector.

To identify the number of indicators are used to measure development in Bangladesh.

To examine the current development of Bangladesh through development indicators.

To indentify the variety of indicators used to measure development in international level.

To examine whether the indicators used in Bangladesh are guiding policies and decisions at all levels of society.

To examine whether the Indicators used are clearly defined.

Methodology


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