BBS to survey socioeconomic conditions of ethnic people

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) is set to launch a nationwide special survey to assess the socioeconomic conditions and poverty status of ethnic people in the country.

Under this initiative, a comprehensive full-count field-level data collection drive using a short questionnaire will be conducted within this month.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

The information was disclosed at a stakeholder consultation workshop titled "Ethnic Survey 2026", held in Dhaka today.

Zonaed Saki, state minister for planning, attended the workshop as chief guest. Chaired by Md Firoz Sarkar, secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, the event was also attended by Md Shamimul Haque, director general of BBS, as special guest.

Speakers at the workshop highlighted that this independent nationwide survey would generate a reliable and comprehensive database along with key socioeconomic indicators for ethnic minority communities.

It will also establish a beneficiary selection methodology and Proxy Means Test scores, enabling the government to better target its social security programmes towards deserving members of these populations.

Farhana Sultana, project director of the initiative, presented the keynote paper, while Md Sahabuddin Sarkar, acting director of the national accounting wing at BBS, delivered the welcome address.

Highlighting the logistical challenges of gathering data from hard-to-reach areas, speakers underscored the need for strong cooperation from local administration and community leaders to ensure the survey's success.

Representatives from various ministries, ethnic minority organisations, development partners, UN agencies, research institutes, and universities attended the workshop and shared their insights during the open technical sessions.

BBS confirmed that recommendations gathered from these discussions will be incorporated into the final questionnaire and field-level operational strategy.