BBS in Crisis as 15 Challenges Hit Statistical System
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Bangladesh’s statistical system faces 15 major challenges, including unreliable data, while the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) - its sole statistical body - is itself in crisis.
To overcome these crises, the government is taking special initiatives by adding a separate chapter to the new Five-Year Strategic Plan (2026-2030). General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission is working to finalize this plan.
GED Member (Secretary) Monzur Hossain said that the plan will be published in book form by the end of July. He added, “The draft of the plan has already been completed. Sector-based goals of the government and the roadmap for their implementation will be highlighted there.”
GED officials indicated that in this plan, government statistics are being considered a strategic public interest issue rather than just administrative work.
The primary objective is to ensure reliable, timely, and user-centric information through an integrated national statistical system. To this end, the government is working to create a powerful legal authority, regular funding, modern data infrastructure, and a strong institutional framework.
The challenges identified in the country’s statistical system within the plan include: ambiguity in legal mandates and institutional authority, problems with professional independence and governance, a funding crisis for core survey activities, issues with reporting schedules and timeliness, the development of quality assurance systems, and coordination.
Moreover, the challenges involve: the acquisition of quality administrative data for GDP and statistics, integrated registers and frames, a lack of digital data infrastructure, and the expansion of field-level activities and scope.
The list further includes: disaggregated local statistics, free open microdata access and user services, human capacity building and the lack of continuous career progression for employees, a shortage of training and statistical knowledge, and deficits in establishing communication, and trust.
According to BBS officials, the country’s current official statistics system is undergoing institutional, technical, and financial limitations. They said, “Many important surveys remain stuck due to a lack of regular funding, as a result of which information cannot be published on time.”
Moreover, significant data gaps remain in urgent sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and the environment.
Stakeholders believe that to overcome this situation, it is essential to restructure the BBS and implement the reform recommendations of the task force.
The five-year plan specifies that the government’s primary goal is to transform the BBS into a modern, independent, and international-standard National Statistical Office between 2026 and 2030.
To achieve this goal, emphasis is being placed on improving the quality of statistics, modernizing digital systems, ensuring data security, and restoring public trust.
