This study examines the socio-economic conditions of street vendors in Bangladesh, focusing on their demographic characteristics, types of businesses, income patterns, and everyday challenges. It also explores the political and legal context shaping street vending, including interactions and tensions among street vendors, permanent shopkeepers, local residents, and authorities. The study aims to generate evidence to inform more inclusive and effective urban policy and program responses.
Researchers: Narayan C. Das, PhD; James Ward Khakshi; Farah Muneer; Md. Kamruzzaman, Tahasin Tasnim Mohce; Md. Ashikur Rahman; Mohd. Rubayat Ahsan; Nawshiba Arnob
Partner: BRAC Advocacy for Social Change
Timeline: 2025–2026
Status: Ongoing
Contact: James Ward Khakshi, james.wk@bracu.ac.bd
Context
Nearly 85% of Bangladesh’s workforce is engaged in informal employment, with street vendors playing a vital role in urban economies and everyday service provision. In Dhaka city alone, the number of street vendors is estimated at around 300,000. Despite their economic importance, street vendors often operate in precarious conditions shaped by regulatory uncertainty, contested public space, and competing stakeholder interests.
Existing research has largely focused on isolated aspects of vendors’ lives, leaving important gaps in understanding the socio-political dimensions of street vending and how these intersect with vendors’ socio-economic realities. This study addresses these gaps by situating vendors’ livelihoods within broader legal, political, and urban governance contexts to support more informed policy and program planning.
Objective
The study aims to generate a comprehensive socio-economic profile of street vendors in Dhaka by:
- developing demographic profiles of street vendors;
- assessing their socio-economic conditions, challenges, and needs; and
- analyzing the policy and legal environment, including competing and conflicting stakeholder interests.
Methodology
The study adopts a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative inquiry to explore key livelihood dynamics and governance challenges. A structured survey will be conducted with 400 street vendors in Dhaka, focusing on demographics, economic conditions, and coping mechanisms. To complement and deepen the survey findings, qualitative methods will include 10 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 35 in-depth interviews, enabling exploration of lived experiences, stakeholder interactions, and policy-relevant issues. Together, these methods provide a robust evidence base to identify priority areas and potential entry points for intervention.
Findings and Recommendations
Forthcoming.
