New Record in the Number of Millionaire Depositors in the Country

The number of bank accounts holding deposits of Tk 10 million or more in Bangladesh’s banking sector continues to rise, further highlighting economic inequality and uneven income distribution.

According to a recently published report by Bangladesh Bank, there are now more than 128,000 accounts in banks with deposits of at least Tk 10 million.

Economic analysts say that increasing financial pressure on ordinary people is reducing savings among lower- and middle-income groups, with many even forced to withdraw previously saved money to cover expenses. In contrast, income among the wealthy and large business owners is growing rapidly, leading to higher balances in their bank accounts.

Bangladesh Bank clarified in the report that not every account with Tk 10 million represents an individual millionaire. These accounts also include those of government bodies, private institutions and various business entities. In addition, individuals or organisations may hold multiple bank accounts, meaning several large accounts may belong to the same holder.

By September 2025, the total number of bank deposit accounts in the country stood at 174,596,700, an increase of nearly 5.6 million compared to June. However, despite the rise in the number of millionaire accounts, the total amount deposited in these accounts has declined. At the end of June, deposits stood at Tk 880,772 crore, which fell to Tk 821,562 crore by the end of September, a decrease of nearly Tk 59,000 crore in three months.

Experts say that the persistence of this trend over a long period is a major indicator of unequal income distribution. While one segment of the economy is advancing rapidly, a much larger section of the population is struggling financially, with clear impacts on everyday living standards.

Historical data shows that in 1972, just after independence, Bangladesh had only five millionaire depositors. This number rose to 943 in 1990, 19,163 in 2008, 93,890 in 2020, and 122,081 in 2024. By the end of September 2025, it increased further to 128,000.

Khaborwala/SS