Spatial Inequality in Socio-economic Development in Bangladesh: An Analysis

This study aims to analyze the disparities in socio-economic development in the North-Western region of Bangladesh from a micro-spatial perspective, as well as to uncover the underlying factors that generate disparities. Both quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used in this study. Secondary data from Government organizations was compiled for 67 spatial units (upazila) to regionalize the study area based on 22 indicators from seven socio-economic sectors, and to identify the underlying factors, a structured questionnaire survey was conducted, followed by a literature review, group discussion, interviews, and field observation methods. According to the results, severe disparity in socio-economic development in the study area has been identified. Almost half of the study area, 46 percent (27 upazilas), has been classified as a very low-developed region, while the remaining 29 percent (19 upazilas), 22 percent (18 upazilas), 2 percent (2 upazilas), and 0.6 percent (1 upazilas) have been classified as low, moderate, high, and very high developed regions, respectively. Service and business-oriented professions, high income, easy accessibility to resources, developed transportation system, and technological advancement functions as factors of development, contrariwise, agro-based professions, low income, lack of accessibility to resources, a technological lag, transport system, and low-quality human resources are functioning as constraints of development. Few recommendations to reduce the disparity have been made based on the severity of disparity and underlying factors of different sectors.