Selim Jahan

Selim Jahan is former director of the Human Development Report Office under the United Nations Development Programme and lead author of the Human Development Report.

Reading his diaries and understanding the man

I do not remember who gave me the book—it may have been a friend, colleague, or a student of mine.

1w ago

Having their say: Well-being, choice and voice of Bangladeshi women

Development is all about enlarging freedoms for all so that every human being can pursue the choices they value and raise their voices in support of those choices.

2w ago

Strategies we can employ in tariff talks with the US

We must realise that the US has started the tariff war with a political agenda.

2w ago

Let’s not forget the silent emergencies of the world

In Gaza, the risk of famine is increasing due to protracted military operations. Humanitarian efforts are constrained both by inadequate relief materials and inaccessibility to the most affected areas.

3w ago

The cost of marrying off girls too soon

Child marriage is closely linked to high adolescent pregnancy rates.

1m ago

Sustaining the oceans as they sustain us

The importance of oceans in human lives can hardly be overemphasised.

1m ago

Tackling joblessness requires thinking out of the box

The issue of joblessness should be at the centre of the growth strategy.

2m ago

What the development philosophy should be for the FY2026 budget

The philosophical focus of the upcoming budget should be pro-poor and pro-people.

2m ago
August 17, 2024
August 17, 2024

The tasks ahead for Bangladesh

What needs to be done in today’s Bangladesh, as the country is trying to move forward?

July 11, 2024
July 11, 2024

Has poverty-alleviation spending made any difference?

Inequalities occur not only in income, but also in non-income dimensions

July 7, 2024
July 7, 2024

Labour's challenge after landslide election win

According to latest reports, the Labour Party has won a landslide victory with 412 seats.

April 21, 2024
April 21, 2024

Bank mergers: All dimensions must be considered

In general, five issues need to be borne in mind when it comes to bank mergers in Bangladesh.

February 28, 2024
February 28, 2024

Improving the Human Development Index: The Bangladesh perspective

People are the real wealth of a nation. The fundamental objective of development is to create an enabling environment for people to enjoy a long, healthy, and creative life. Human development is simply defined as a process of enlarging choices and creating opportunities for everyone.

May 12, 2022
May 12, 2022

Should Bangladesh be worried about debt financing?

Dr Selim Jahan lays out all the facts about Bangladesh's debt financing situation.

May 9, 2022
May 9, 2022

Should Bangladesh worry about debt servicing?

Debt servicing has become a rising concern for developing countries in recent times.

March 29, 2022
March 29, 2022

Bangladesh can stay ahead of global inflation, if it acts now

“Inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber, and as deadly as a hitman”—these were the words of Ronald Reagan during his campaign for the US presidency at the beginning of 1980s.

February 13, 2022
February 13, 2022

An action agenda for fostering inclusive growth in Bangladesh

Analytically speaking, if economic growth is to be inclusive, it must fulfil three mutually synergetic criteria: it must be sustained and pro-poor; it must ensure equity in resource availability, access to basic social services and income distribution; and it must be accompanied by productive employment.

December 1, 2021
December 1, 2021

Bijoyphool: A symbol of our struggle and victory

It was a bright sunny morning in Vientiane, where I was visiting during the first week of December 2017.