Dhaka, June 19 -- Despite increased government investment, the effectiveness of Bangladesh's social protection programmes continues to be undermined by persistent inefficiencies in targeting, a recent budget document has revealed.

The Finance Ministry's Social Security Budget Report 2025-26 reveals that a significant portion of social transfers still fails to reach the poorest and most vulnerable, raising concerns over mistargeting and inequitable access.

"More importantly, mistargeting and inequitable access to social protection programmes further limit their efficacy," the report states, adding, "Evidence suggests that social transfers are not adequately targeted to the poorest segments of the population."

Noted economists see the pr...