Bangladesh is projected to overtake neighbouring India in nominal per capita gross domestic product (GDP) in 2026, with its per capita GDP expected to reach $2,886, compared with $2,749 for India, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
The IMF's October 2026 World Economic Outlook projects Bangladesh's per capita GDP to exceed India's by $137 this year, marking a reversal of the trend in recent years, when India moved ahead of Bangladesh on this measure.
Per capita GDP is calculated by dividing a country's total economic output by its population.
Bangladesh has made significant economic progress over the past two decades, driven largely by the expansion of its readymade garment (RMG) industry, strong remittance inflows and increased participation of women in the labour force.
Why it matters
The IMF projection signals a notable macroeconomic milestone for Bangladesh's economic trajectory compared to its regional peers.