Bangladesh advances GDP rebasing and forensic audit as statistics overhaul moves ahead

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Bangladesh GDP stats overhaul

Highlights

Bangladesh's National Advisory Council for Statistics reviewed GDP rebasing progress, forensic audit, and modernization of the statistical system on 11 November, chaired by Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.
An expert committee is finalising proposed amendments to the Statistics Act 2013 to integrate big data, administrative data, United Nations standards, and establish new statistical governance structures.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics launched digital data collection, finalised a central data warehouse, and enhanced CPI accuracy, while warning that irregular budget allocations risk undermining data continuity and quality.

Statistical reform plan and GDP update

As reported by The Business Standard, the updates are presented at the first meeting of the National Advisory Council for Statistics for FY27 on 11 November, chaired by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury at the NEC Conference Room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar.

The meeting reviews progress on modernising the statistical system, amending the Statistics Act 2013 and carrying out the GDP forensic audit. Officials say the rebasing exercise is intended to deliver updated national accounts data and improve estimates of how different sectors contribute to the economy.

An expert committee recommends changes to the Statistics Act 2013 to incorporate the National Statistical System, the National Statistical Office, administrative data, big data and the United Nations' Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. A final amendment proposal is being prepared.

The meeting also reviews the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics 2026-30, with the final draft being aligned with the government's five-year strategic framework for July 2026 to June 2031, the election manifesto and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Digital systems, surveys and budget implications

The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics is using Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing through tablets and computers for digital data collection, while field activities are monitored through the Network Operations Centre dashboard. The master plan for an Integrated Statistical Data Warehouse has also been finalised to centrally preserve census and survey data for research and policymaking.

A Microdata Analysis Lab has been established at the bureau, and the draft Data and Microdata Dissemination and Access Policy 2026 has been completed to improve access for researchers and other users. A technical committee with university statistics faculty and representatives from the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and the General Economics Division is also reviewing sample sizes and market coverage to improve Consumer Price Index accuracy.

The bureau has begun joint work with the Department of Food to monitor rice prices and verify market data, while fieldwork is under way for the Ethnic Communities Survey 2026, Passenger Water Transport Census 2026 and an assessment of the tourism sector's economic contribution. The meeting also stresses the need for regular and secure revenue budget allocations for major statistical exercises, warning that irregular funding could weaken continuity and data quality, and decides to implement BBS Reform Task Force recommendations to strengthen administrative and staffing structures.

Earlier, we looked at Malaysia’s post-election budget growth and how allocations were expected to rise after the next general election.

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