An Empirical Study on the Poverty and Socio-economic Condition of the People Living in the Southern Area of Bangladesh

Abstract: Bangladesh is a developing country where poverty is still a significant concern. The Southern area of Bangladesh is quite different from other parts of the country in terms of climate and topography. This study investigated the poverty and the socio-economic condition of the people living in the southern area of Bangladesh from October 2023 to May 2024. The study used a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research methods. Data was collected from questionnaire surveys, direct observations, interviews, and focused group discussions with the respondents, and the data was analyzed using SPSS. About 45% of respondents had 6-8 family members, which had a significantly negative impact on the poverty level. Most of the people (about 59%) were totally illiterate to below SSC, which also has a strong negative significance on the poverty level. The profession category, safe food, sanitation and water supply status, monthly income, and expenditures of the respondents were also significantly related to the poverty level. The relationship between the overall indebtedness rate of the respondents and the poverty level was positive. However, the relationship between the social and economic improvements of the respondents and the poverty level, as well as the relationship between the GDP growth of the respondents and the poverty level, was negative. This study may help evaluate tactics and policies at the national level to alleviate poverty in the region. Keywords: Poverty, education, profession, expenditure, indebtedness, GDP