Bangladesh's Overall Balance (% of GDP): Net Lending/Borrowing Trends and Forecasts (1990-2029)

Bangladesh's fiscal trends show moderate deficits, reflective of its developmental priorities. The balance remained below -3% of GDP for much of the 1990s and early 2000s, but increasing public investments have pushed deficits higher, particularly since 2017 (-4.2%).

The pandemic created fiscal strain, with the deficit reaching -4.8% in 2020. Forecasts suggest a widening gap to -5% by 2029, underscoring the challenges of balancing growth ambitions with fiscal sustainability. Addressing structural inefficiencies and enhancing revenue collection will be critical for long-term fiscal health.