Unlocking the potential of rural informal entrepreneurship for poverty reduction in Bangladesh: A sustainable livelihoods perspective

This study examines the current landscape of rural entrepreneurship in Bangladesh, a sector engaging 75% of the workforce, utilizing the Sustainable Livelihood Framework. Employing a quantitative approach, the research conducts face-to-face interviews with selected entrepreneurs. The findings reveal that 46% of entrepreneurs hold positive perspectives on five key livelihood indicators, with social capital ranking highest at 62% and physical capital lowest at 34%. Analysis of 20 indicators unveils that merely 50% of entrepreneurs express positive opinions for 12 indicators, with many responses hovering around 40%. These results paint a challenging picture of entrepreneurs' outlook on their lives and livelihoods, providing valuable insights for policymakers, poverty experts, and development practitioners in shaping effective interventions.