Every October, men from villages on the edge of the Sundarbans leave for the brickfields, driven out as much by the forest's shrinking rules as by the pull of wages. Left behind, women like Nirmola and Shushila don't simply wait—they run the household, manage money sent home by bKash, and reorganise daily life until April brings the men back. This is the untold half of the Sundarbans migration story.

In its demographic transition, Bangladesh has reached a stage where its working-age population exceeds its dependent population in size—a phenomenon known as the demographic dividend.

When the BNP government took office in February, several key economic indicators were flashing red.

Inward remittances of up to $20,000 can be credited without formal declaration requirements

Exports stood at around $48 billion, down by 0.58 percent from the previous year, despite a sharp June increase. This means the rebound came too late to change the annual picture. It may signal some recovery in orders, delayed shipment adjustments, or short-term buyer confidence. But it does not prove that the export sector has regained strength.

Migrants sent home $3.75 billion in March this year

Nearly half of Bangladesh's more than $30 billion in annual remittances comes from the Middle East

Migrants sent home $3.17 billion in January

In 2025, Bangladesh achieved an unprecedented milestone in its economic history: remittance inflows surpassed $32.8 billion for the calendar year—the highest ever recorded, marking a roughly 22 percent increase from the previous year.

Banks must promptly notify customers once an inward remittance message is received

Three major indicators of the economy -- imports, remittances and foreign exchange reserves -- are likely to increase in the first quarter of the current fiscal year, a positive development for the external accounts, according to the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI).

Bangladesh’s balance of payments (BoP) deficit would widen massively in the current fiscal year than the central bank had earlier projected owing to escalated imports, lower remittances and export receipts, and higher accumulation of debts.

The government gives recognition to ten people as Commercially Important Person (CIP) for their contribution in the country’s economy through sending their remittances in 2014.

Bangladesh receives $1.32 billion in remittance in May against $1.29 billion in March 2015.

Bangladesh relies on its workers' remittances but is seemingly happy to turn a blind eye as to why half a million of them choose to leave the country every year and how the nearly eight million currently abroad are treated.