RESEARCH NOTE - POVERTY ALLEVIATION & MACRO-MICRO LINKAGES: CRITICAL ISSUES

This research note analyzes the linkage between macroeconomic policies and micro-level poverty alleviation in Bangladesh. It explores how growth-oriented macro policies—such as fiscal frameworks, trade liberalization, and financial reforms—affect the poor through employment generation, income distribution, and access to services. The study stresses that without strong micro linkages via targeted safety nets, microfinance, and community development, macro-level gains may bypass vulnerable groups. It argues for a balanced approach combining macro stability with inclusive policies for long-term poverty eradication.

The body first sets out the theoretical framework of macro–micro linkages, referencing global experiences in Latin America and Asia. Section One evaluates Bangladesh’s macroeconomic trajectory—growth, inflation, fiscal discipline—since the 1990s. Section Two examines micro-level programs, including BRAC, Grameen, and other NGO-led initiatives, and their synergies with national policy. Section Three explores structural bottlenecks—inequality in land, gender, and education—that weaken trickle-down effects. Section Four proposes integration mechanisms: fiscal transfers, pro-poor budgeting, and targeted sectoral strategies in health and education. Section Five suggests governance and monitoring reforms to ensure accountability and effective delivery. The conclusion highlights that sustainable poverty alleviation requires embedding micro-interventions into the national macroeconomic policy framework, ensuring growth translates into inclusive outcomes.