Social Protection Budget Analysis Prepared by Arju Afrin Kathy and Aminul Arifeen
This document, prepared by the Social Security Policy Support Programme (SSPS), provides an in-depth analysis of Bangladesh’s FY 2025–26 Social Protection Budget, comparing it primarily with the FY 2024–25 budget. It explores the structure, allocation, and policy direction of social protection financing, highlighting trends, gaps, and opportunities.
Social protection is increasingly central to national development in Bangladesh, addressing poverty, inequality, climate risks, and demographic shifts. The FY 2025–26 budget allocates BDT 1,16,731 crore (about 14.78% of the total budget and 1.87% of GDP) to social protection, showing the government’s continued commitment.
The report outlines key reforms such as:
- Programme consolidation (from 140 to 95 schemes),
- Digitized delivery systems (G2P and Single Registry),
- A shift toward cash-based assistance with graduation models.
It assesses alignment with the National Social Security Strategy (NSSS), lifecycle-based distribution, and the impact on vulnerable groups. It also discusses challenges like inflation, inclusion errors, and urban-rural disparities.
Overall, the document aims to support evidence-based policy decisions for building a more inclusive and resilient social security system in Bangladesh.
