The number of bank accounts with deposits of Tk 10 million or more in Bangladesh is steadily increasing, reflecting widening economic inequality and imbalanced income distribution.
A recent report published by Bangladesh Bank shows that banks currently hold more than 128,000 accounts with deposits of at least Tk 10 million.
Economists point out that as financial pressure mounts on ordinary citizens, savings among lower- and middle-income groups are declining, with many compelled to spend previously saved funds. Meanwhile, rapid income growth among wealthy individuals and major business owners is pushing up high-value bank deposits.
Bangladesh Bank noted that accounts holding Tk 10 million do not necessarily indicate individual millionaires. The figures also include accounts belonging to government and private institutions as well as business organisations. Furthermore, a single person or organisation may operate multiple bank accounts, meaning several large deposits can belong to the same entity.
As of September 2025, the total number of deposit accounts in the banking sector reached 174,596,700, around 5.6 million more than in June. Despite the increase in millionaire accounts, their total deposit volume has declined, dropping from Tk 880,772 crore at the end of June to Tk 821,562 crore by the end of September, a reduction of about Tk 59,000 crore.
Experts say the long-term continuation of this pattern signals deepening income inequality. While certain sectors of the economy are prospering, the majority of the population remains under financial strain, which is clearly reflected in living conditions.
Data shows that Bangladesh had only five millionaire depositors in 1972. The number rose to 943 in 1990, 19,163 in 2008, 93,890 in 2020 and 122,081 in 2024, before increasing to 128,000 by the end of September 2025.
Glive24/SS