Old Age Allowance and Sustainable Development Goals in Bangladesh: A Study on its Constraints and Implementation

Old age allowance programs are essential components of social protection systems aimed at alleviating poverty and ensuring the well-being of elderly populations. In Bangladesh, the Old Age Allowance (OAA) program plays a crucial role in providing financial assistance to elderly citizens, contributing to poverty alleviation, reduce inequality and promoting sustainable development. Bangladesh has adopted the ‘whole of society’ approach in implementing the SDGs. The SDGs is an important milestone to assess the process of implementation and in which areas major challenges persist. This research actually analyzes the SDGs implementation strategies of Dhaka Division in the case of OAA particularly for SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) from 2016 to 2020. The country’s SDGs implementation process is led by the apex SDGs Implementation and Review Committee. Under the guidance of the apex committee all sub-national committees at the division, district and sub-district levels work. The government has approved 40 (39+1) priority indicators for localizing SDGs-39 indicators for 17 goals considered crucial with reinforcing effects on others; and one additional (+1) local indicator to reflect the ‘leave no one behind’ agenda. This study examines the constraints and challenges faced in the implementation of the Old Age Allowance program in Bangladesh and explores its alignment with the SDGs. It employs qualitative approach, including literature review, and qualitative interviews with stakeholders involved in program implementation. The findings of the study highlight several constraints and challenges, including insufficient funding and resources, administrative inefficiencies, and lack of awareness among eligible beneficiaries. Moreover, the study examines the extent to which the OAA program addresses the broader objectives of the SDGs, particularly in terms of poverty reduction and reduce inequality. Based on the findings, the study offers recommendations for enhancing the effectiveness and impact of the Old Age Allowance program in Bangladesh. These recommendations include revising eligibility criteria, increasing funding for the beneficiaries’ levels, strengthening institutional capacity for program implementation and monitoring, and raising awareness among eligible beneficiaries. By addressing the constraints identified and aligning the Old Age Allowance program with the SDGs, Bangladesh can strengthen its social protection system, poverty eradication and social equality strategies and contribute to the achievement of sustainable development objectives