The richest households in Bangladesh hold a majority of the country’s wealth, with the top 10 percent controlling 58 percent, according to the World Inequality Report 2026.
The Paris-based World Inequality Lab said the top one percent alone hold about 24 percent of all assets, while the bottom 50 percent own just 4.7 percent. The middle 40 percent hold 36.9 percent.
Despite the concentration, the report said overall inequality has remained moderate with little change over the past decade. The top 10 percent of earners receive about 41 percent of national income, compared with 19 percent for the bottom half. The income gap narrowed slightly from 22 to 21 between 2014 and 2024.
“Female labour participation remains low at 22.3 percent, indicating persistent gender disparities in economic activity,” the report said.
Globally, the richest 10 percent hold nearly three-quarters of all wealth.