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From Brain Drain to Brain Gain: Leveraging the Academic Diaspora for Development in Bangladesh

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Diaspora Engagement and Development in South Asia

Part of the book series: International Political Economy Series ((IPES))

Abstract

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated nations in the world. At present Bangladesh has a total population of nearly 160 million out of which more than 110 million (73 per cent) people live in rural areas. Bangladesh’s per capita income is USD 750, ranking in UNDP’s Human Development Index (HDI) index as 146 among 187 countries (UNDP, 2011). Poverty is prevalent in Bangladesh and a substantial portion of the common populace (20 per cent) lives in extreme poverty and suffers from illiteracy, ill health, unemployment and lacks access to essential services provided by government. However, its achievement in the socio-economic (poverty reduction, primary school, enrolment, gender equity, reduction in infant mortality and fertility, higher access to safe water and sanitation) sphere is remarkable. The economy of Bangladesh has experienced an average GDP growth rate of over 5 per cent per annum during the last two decades. Bangladesh is now considered as the best performer among the countries defined as the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by the United Nations. Goldman Sachs investment bank and economist Jim O‘Neill in a research paper (Goldman Sachs, 2007) named Bangladesh among the Next 11 (N-11) countries having a high potential of becoming the world’s largest economies in the 21st century along with the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa).

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Authors
  1. Taiabur Rahman
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, Singapore

    Tan Tai Yong (Director) & Md Mizanur Rahman (Senior Research Fellow) (Director) &  (Senior Research Fellow)

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© 2013 Taiabur Rahman

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Rahman, T. (2013). From Brain Drain to Brain Gain: Leveraging the Academic Diaspora for Development in Bangladesh. In: Yong, T.T., Rahman, M.M. (eds) Diaspora Engagement and Development in South Asia. International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137334459_7

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