Per capita revised down

The per capita income stood at US$1,465 in FY 2015-16, up 11.32% from $1,316 recorded in FY2014-15, according to the final reading of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. However, it was down from provisional estimate of $1,466. The per capita income was cut by $1 compared to the provisional estimate because of falling exchange rate of US dollar against Taka, said Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal after the meeting of Executive body of National Economic Committee held in Dhaka yesterday. According to the WB criteria, Bangladesh will be recognised as a middle-income nation if it achieves at least an average per capita income of $1,045 for three consecutive years. Bangladesh’s per capita income was $1,190 in FY14 and $1,154 in FY13. As per WB’s 2012 classification, the income thresholds are: low income $1,035 or less, lower middle-income $1,036 to $4,085, upper middle-income $4,086 to $12,615, and high income $12,616 or more.