The study said one-third of the loan money was spent for food, one-fourth was spent to pay off old debts and one part was used for medical purposes.
It is clear from the latest BBS survey that the trend of taking loans to meet basic needs has not reduced. The amount of loan per family has doubled. About one-third of the families in the country are dependent on debt.
SANEM Executive Director Selim Reyhan said that despite the country's great success in financial growth, a large portion of the common people suffer from food insecurity.
He said, “It's like the shadow under the lamp.”
*This report appeared on the print and online editions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu