Social inequality exists in Bangladesh and is evident across several dimensions including education, employment, health, and income. Inequalities exist between gender, rural/urban areas, and socioeconomic classes. Literacy and education completion rates are higher for males compared to females. Employment rates are also higher for males, while unemployment rates are higher for females. Health indicators like child mortality and skilled birth attendance are worse for females. Poverty rates remain higher in rural areas compared to urban areas. Occupational inequalities also exist across class and caste divisions in Bangladeshi society. The document analyzes trends in these various forms of social inequality in Bangladesh over time.

1. 1
Nature of Social Inequality in Bangladesh

2. 2
Prepared By
Md. Saeed Anwar
Sociology Discipline
Khulna University
Khulna, Bangladesh

3. Introduction
Sociologists see society as a stratification system that is based on a
hierarchy of power (the ability to direct someone else’s behavior),
privilege (honor and respect), and prestige (income, wealth, and
property), which leads to patterns of social inequality (Crossman,
2012).
Social inequality refers to relational processes in society that have
the effect of limiting or harming a group’s social status, social class,
and social circle (ibid, 2012).
Social inequality is typically tied to race, gender, and class, with
whites, males, those with higher education levels, and those with
higher income levels sitting at the top of the hierarchy (ibid, 2012).
There are many types of inequalities, such as power, wealth,
poverty, income, social class, education, occupation, gender, race
and ethnicity, age, and even region on a local and global level
(ibid, 2012).
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4. Social Inequality
Max Weber explain social inequality in terms of the relationship
between class, status and party (Spark Notes, 2003).
Status is related to inequalities that are to do with the way in which
people judge and relate to each other (ibid, 2003).
Class is to do with inequalities that have their source in the
workings of capitalism and the market place and party is related to
concepts of politics in its broadest sense (ibid, 2003).
Karl Marx explain inequality in terms of the ownership of wealth
and the control of material possessions. This is a very simple view
and does not take into account all of the other forms of inequality we
experience in society (Spark Notes, 2003).
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5. Sociologist view of Social Inequality
There are two main views of social inequality within sociology
through which it is possible to identify the effect of social inequality.
One view aligns with the functionalist theory and the other aligns
with conflict theory.
Functionalist theorists believe that inequality is inevitable and
desirable and plays an important function in society. Important
positions in society require more training and thus should receive
more rewards. Social inequality and social stratification, according to
this view, lead to a meritocracy based on ability (Crossman, 2012 ).
Conflict theorists, on the other hand, view inequality as resulting
from groups with power dominating less powerful groups. They
believe that social inequality prevents and hinders societal progress
as those in power repress the powerless people in order to maintain
the status quo. Positions are important so long as those in power
consider them to be significant (ibid, 2012) 5

6. Elements of Social Inequality
According to Max Weber there are three elements of inequality in
society. Such as-
Inequality of Wealth (Salary)
Inequality of Prestige (Standard of Living)
Inequality of Power (Politics)
(Wikipedia, 2013)
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7. Determinants of Social Inequality in
Bangladesh
Biological or Natural elements
Natural inequality on the basis of sex
Social inequality on the basis of age
Non- biological or Social elements
Social labor division and inequality
Social inequality on the basis of class
Social inequality on the basis of power
Social inequality on the basis of social roles
Social inequality on the basis of caste
(yahoo answer, 2006)
7

8. Cause of Social Inequality
Bangladesh is a developing country and social inequality in one of
the important barriers of development in our country. There are
many causes social inequality in our country like-
Structural and social institutions
Lack of explicit policy initiatives
Preoccupied mindset
Economic hardship
Geographic isolation
Low parental education
High population growth rate
Social relationship
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9. Cause of Social Inequality
Environmental degradation and climate change
Inadequacies in regulatory regimes
High rate of unemployment
Kinship
Political instability
Unequal distribution of wealth
9
Unnayan Onneshan, 2011

10. Trends of Social Inequality in
Bangladesh
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11. Literacy and Dropout Inequality
The percentage of the literate children also varies according to the
gender. The literacy of the male children was 49.5 percent in
2000 at national level, which has been increased to 61.12 percent
in 2010 with an annual average increasing rate of 1.16 percent.
Whereas, the literacy rate of the female children at national level
was 40.1 percent in 2000, which has, been increased to 54.8
percent in 2010 with an annual average increasing rate of 1.47
percent. Inequality prevails in the percentage of dropped male
and female children.
Literacy Rate (%) National
Level
Dropout Rate before Primary level
(%)
Year Male Female Year Male Female
2000 49.5 40.1 2000 14.6 4.9
2005 55.8 48.1 2005 13.5 7.39
2010 61.12 54.8 2010 10.2 3.32
Unnayan Onneshan, 2011
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12. Primary Education Completion Inequality
The Primary completion rate; male (% of relevant age group) in
Bangladesh was 62.07 in 2009.
The Primary completion rate; female (% of relevant age group) in
Bangladesh was 68.81 in 2009.
12
Inequality between Male and Female Students (%)
Year Male Female
2005 62.28 67.83
2006 55.61 59.55
2008 55.57 62.3
2009 62.07 68.81
The World Bank, 2010

13. Employment Inequality by Gender
In 1993-94, employed male population was 57.5 percent and it was
10.6 percent for female at the national level. The percentage of
employed population for both male and female has decreased to 44.2
percent and 9.7 respectively in 1999-2000.
This might be due to the beginning of the global recession at that
time period. Again, the percentage of employed male and female has
increased to 68.3 percent and 22.9 percent in 2007 from 67.5
percent and 15.2 percent in 2004 respectively at the national level.
National Level of Employment Rate-First Class Job (%)
Year Male Female
1993-94 57.5 10.6
1999-00 44.2 9.7
2004 67.5 15.2
2007 68.3 22.9
2010 70.1 25.7 Unnayan Onneshan, 201113

14. Unemployment inequality by Gender
The number of population who are unemployed are still increasing.
Unemployed population has increased from 1.3 million in 1995-96
to 2.7 million in 2009 with an average of 0.13 million per year.
In case of male, it has increased with an annual average of 0.06
million and for female it was 0.05 million at the same time period
(1995-96 to 2009). Under these circumstances, providing employment
status for the country’s population remains a big challenge for the
government.
Unemployment inequality by Gender
Year Total (million) Male (million) Female (million)
1995-96 1.3 0.9 0.4
1999-2000 1.8 1.1 0.7
2002-2003 2.0 1.5 0.5
2005-06 2.1 1.2 0.9
2009 2.7 1.7 1.0
Unnayan Onneshan, 2011 14

15. Poverty Inequality
Year
Poverty Rate
National Rural Urban
1991-1992 56.8 59.0 42.6
1995-1996 50.1 54.5 27.8
2000 48.9 35.1 25.3
2005 40.0 43.8 28.4
2010 31.5 35.2 21.3
Poverty is one of the main problems of our country after liberation in
1971 and after the year of 1990 Bangladesh made considerable
progress in alleviating poverty both rural and urban area but there is
gap or inequality between rural and urban poverty reduction.
Urban poverty rate reduce quickly but rural poverty rate in slow
process .
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16. Health Inequality
Bangladesh has achieved some progress in health sector and has
been successful in raising the average life expectation of its
population. However, the situation of female health is still poor.
Health care for women is still restricted to their reproductive
health and that is why their general health remains quite neglected.
Child Mortality per Thousand Live Births by Gender
Year Male Female
1993-94 46.7 62.3
1996-97 36.9 47.0
1999-00 28.4 37.7
2004 24.0 29.0
2007 16.0 20.0
2010 10.0 14.0
Unnayan Onneshan, 2011 16

17. Skilled Birth Attendance Service
The proportion of births attended by a skilled health worker is
low in the slums (no doctors and nurses), also in rural area than
the urban area.
17
Inequality among Rural, Urban and Slum Area in
Bangladesh (%)
Year Urban Area Rural Area Slum Area
2006 38.0 14.0 11.5
2009 45.0 19.0 15.0
(UNICEF, 2010)

18. Class Inequality
Upper Class: The upper class is the social class composed of those
who are wealthy, well-born, or both. They usually wield the
greatest political power. Ex. Politician, Industrialist
Middle Class: The middle class is the most contested of the three
categorizations, the broad group of people in contemporary society
who fall socio-economically between the lower and upper classes.
Ex. Teacher, Traders
Lower Class: Lower class (occasionally described as working class)
are those employed in low-paying wage jobs with very little
economic security. Ex. Labor, foreman (Wikipedia, 2013).
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19. Caste Inequality
Caste Occupational inequality
Brahmans Priests, Scholars
Kshatriyas Rulers, nobles, soldiers
Vaisyas Businessman, bankers
Sudras Laborers, artisans
Bangladesh came into existence as an independent state only 32 years
ago. Historically however it has a multifaceted heritage, enriched by its
ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Muslim roots. It is through this deeply
rooted psycho-social heritage that untouchability has been ingrained into
the social fabric of the country.
Traditions of hierarchy and patronage, the strongholds of the caste
system, remain strong among Bengalis irrespective of their caste and
creed. Even religions have failed to ensure social equality due to
centuries of cultural indoctrination and present political
convenience. (Khan, 2010).
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20. Gender, Wage and Age Inequality
Gender inequality: Gender inequality is a result of the persistent
discrimination of one group of people based upon gender and it
manifests itself differently according to race, culture, politics,
country and economic situation (Unnayan Onneshan, 2011).
Wages inequality: The issue of wages is also central for women
workers. Studies have been shown that they are often lowly and
irregularly paid and subjected to discrimination by way of less pay
than their male co-workers (Khan, 2010).
Age inequality: Age inequality is discrimination on the grounds of
age. Although theoretically the word can refer to the discrimination
against any age group, age inequality usually comes in one of three
forms: discrimination against youth, discrimination against those 40
years old or older, and discrimination against elderly people
(Khan, 2010).
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21. Urban and Rural Inequality
Bangladesh is a developing country and most if the people live in the
rural area but they are deprived from many modern facilities than
urban area. There are many indicators between urban and rural
areas which create inequality between the both area.
Indicator Urban Rural
Skilled attendant at birth 45% 19%
Adult literacy (Women aged 15-49 years) 66% 48%
Net attendance ratio in secondary education 53% 48%
Gender parity index in secondary education 1.08% 1.18
Comprehensive correct knowledge on HIV and AIDS 18% 13%
Youth literacy (Women aged 15-24 years) 77% 70%
(UNICEF, 2010)
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22. Urban and Rural Inequality
Urban and Rural inequality
Indicator Urban Area Rural Area
Estimated Population 38 Million 112 Million
Use of open or “hanging latrines” 2% 5%
Net attendance ratio in primary
education
64% 81%
Estimated investment need for urban
water supply between 2010 – 2015
USD 2.36
billion
USD 0.64
billion
UNICEF, 2010
Bangladesh is undergoing one of the fastest urbanization processes
in Asia. But there have gap between urban and rural Bangladesh on
the basis of following indicators.
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23. Income Inequality
The Gini co-efficient measures inequality. This is the most
popular composite indicator that summarises the extent of
concentration (inequality) of household income.
Gini co-efficient can vary between ‘0’ and ‘1’. The ‘1’ is the
most unequal state and the ‘0’ is the most equal state. Gini co-
efficient of income has increased from 0.393 in 2000 to 0.430 in
2010 at rural areas whereas it has decreased from 0.497 to
0.452 at the same period in urban areas.
23
Year Rural Area Urban Area
2000 0.393 0.497
2005 0.428 0.497
2010 0.430 0.452
Growth Rate 0.94 -0.91
Unnayan Onneshan, 2011

24. Population Growth Rate Inequality
Rural population refers to people living in rural areas and Urban
population refers to people living in urban areas.
The Urban population growth (annual %) in Bangladesh was
2.85 in 2010.
The Rural population growth (annual %) in Bangladesh was
0.46 in 2010.
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Rural-Urban Population Growth Rate (%)
Year Rural Area Urban Area
2003 1.1 3.36
2005 0.84 3.05
2007 0.47 2.94
2010 0.46 2.85
The World Bank, 2012

25. Labor Participation inequality (15+ Age)
Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages
15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor
for the production of goods and services during a specified period.
The Labor participation rate; female (% of female population ages
15+) in Bangladesh was 56.90 in 2010.
The Labor participation rate; male (% of male population ages 15+) in
Bangladesh was 84.40 in 2010.
25
Male and Female Participation in Work (%)
Year Male Female
2003 85.3 55.0
2005 85.0 55.5
2007 84.7 56.1
2010 84.4 56.9
The World Bank, 2012

26. Conclusion
Social inequality refers to disparities in the distribution of
economic assets and income, while economic inequality is caused
by the unequal accumulation of wealth.
Social inequality exists because the lack of wealth in certain areas
prohibits these people from obtaining the same housing, health
care, etc. as the wealthy, in societies where access to these social
goods depends on wealth.
Finally we can say that mainly inequality occurs in Bangladesh on
the basis of prestige, power, wealth, rank, class, ethnicity etc.
Social inequality has been long recognized both as the cause and as
the effect of underdevelopment.
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27. Reference
Crossman, A., 2012. Sociology Definition of the Week: Social Inequality. Retrieved from
http://sociology.about.com/b/2012/05/09/sociology-definition-of-the-week-social- inequality.htm Access
date 10 May, 2013
Khan, Md. M. A., 2010. Discrimination in the Labour Market of Bangladesh & International Standard. Stamford
University Bangladesh, Dhaka.
Kumar, B,. 2012. Complete information on the meaning and characteristics of social
stratification, Retrieved from http://www.preservearticles.com/201102214099/complete-information-on-the-
meaning-and-characteristics-of-social-stratification.html Access date 10 May, 2013
Spark Notes, 2003. Social Stratification and Inequality. Retrieved from
http://www.sparknotes.com/sociology/social-stratification-and-inequality/section4.rhtml Access date
10 May, 2013
The World Bank, 2012. Annual Report of Bangladesh. Washington D.C, USA..
The World Bank, 2010. Annual Report of Bangladesh. Washington D.C, USA.
UNICEF, 2010. Understanding Urban Inequalities in Bangladesh: A prerequisite for achieving Vision 2021. Dhaka,
Bangladesh
Unnayan Onneshan, 2011. Gender Inequality in Bangladesh. Indira Road, Farmgate Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.
Unnayan Onneshan, 2011. Inequality in Primary Education of Bangladesh. Indira Road, Farmgate, Dhaka-1205,
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Wikipedia, 2013. Social class. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_class Access date 10 May, 2013
Wikipedia, 2013. Social inequality, Retrieved from http://www.espncricinfo.com/indian- premierleague-
2013/engine/match/598056.html, Access date 10 May, 2013
Wikipedia, 2013. Social stratification Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_stratification Access date 10 May, 2013
Yahoo answer, 2006. What is social inequality? Retrieved from
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20070816180056AAUibk4, Access date 10 May. 2013
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