The government is set to redefine Bangladesh’s social safety net in the upcoming FY27 budget.
Moving beyond traditional allowance-based aid, the BNP-led administration aims to build an integrated welfare framework.
This strategy consolidates family-based protection, agricultural support, stipends for religious workers, food security, and cash transfers under a single umbrella.
According to government plans, the number of beneficiaries under social security programs will surge to approximately 36.3 million.
The proposed allocation for this sector is nearly Tk35,708 crore—a significant jump from the current fiscal, where Tk21,701 crore is spent on 26 million people.
This represents a massive expansion in both reach and funding within a single year.
Ministry of Finance sources indicate that this sector will serve as the centerpiece for the government’s political and economic vision of a "Welfare State."
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to present the approximately Tk930,000 crore budget in the National Parliament on June 11.
The "Family Card" is the government’s flagship initiative, designed to bring poor and vulnerable households under a single identification system for cash assistance.
In the upcoming fiscal year, the government plans to significantly scale its "Family Card" initiative by increasing the number of beneficiary families to 4.1 million.
Although the monthly allowance will remain steady at Tk2,500 per household, the expanded reach will drive the total program allocation to Tk12,384 crore.
To ensure the inclusion of the "niche poor"—those who often fall through the cracks of traditional aid—a policy of exclusivity will be enforced, making cardholders ineligible for other social allowances like old-age or widow benefits to prevent "double-dipping."
Looking further ahead, the government has set an ambitious long-term goal to cover 16.1 million families by FY30, with a projected total expenditure of Tk133,000 crore over the next five years.
To bolster the rural economy, the government is expanding the Farmer Card system.
To support the rural economy, the government plans to include 4.25 million farmers under the Farmer Card program, with each cardholder receiving annual assistance of Tk2,500.
This initiative will incur a total cost of Tk1,062 crore.
Beyond immediate financial aid, the core strategy involves developing a digital database to eventually streamline the direct distribution of essential resources, such as seeds, fertilizers, and agricultural loans, ensuring they reach farmers more efficiently.
Increase in traditional allowances
The government is introducing significant updates to the three traditional pillars of social security. For the old-age allowance, the number of beneficiaries will rise from 6.1 million to 6.2 million, with the monthly stipend increasing from Tk650 to Tk700.
Notably, a new tier is being introduced for seniors aged 90 and above, who will now receive a specialized monthly rate of Tk1,000.
Additionally, the monthly allowance for widows and deserted women is set to increase from Tk650 to Tk700, while the disability allowance will expand its reach to cover 3.6 million people, up from the current 3.45 million, while maintaining the existing rate of Tk900.
Food security and support for religious workers are also seeing a major boost.
The government’s food assistance program, which provides rice at Tk15 per kilogram, is expanding its coverage from 5.5 million families to 6 million.
Simultaneously, the religious stipend program is undergoing a massive transformation; the number of beneficiaries—including Imams, Muazzins, and priests—will leap from 18,000 to over 256,000.
To support this growth, the budget allocation for religious workers will skyrocket from a modest Tk27 crore to Tk1,081 crore.
Efforts to link social protection with environmental sustainability and healthcare are also being intensified.
Employment-generating "green jobs," such as canal excavation and tree plantation projects, will be expanded to benefit 3.4 million and 80,000 people respectively, aiming to combat climate change and waterlogging.
In the health sector, the government is doubling its financial aid for patients suffering from critical illnesses like cancer and kidney disease, increasing the one-time grant from Tk50,000 to Tk100,000 per person.
Finally, the budget reinforces support for national heroes and those affected by recent political movements. Allowances for the families of decorated freedom fighters are being increased, with Bir Shrestha families receiving Tk40,000 and Bir Uttam families receiving Tk30,000 per month.
Furthermore, the government is expanding the scope of its support coverage to include a greater number of individuals and families injured during the July Mass Uprising.
While politically popular, experts warn of significant hurdles. Towfiqul Islam Khan, additional director at CPD, noted that while the shift toward a "life-cycle based social security framework" is positive, success depends on transparent beneficiary selection and robust revenue collection.