As Bangladesh accelerates its journey toward digital governance, the digitalization of the Old Age Allowance (OAA) stands out as a critical reform. Regardless, an important question remains: 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 𝘦𝘮𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘳𝘺?
We are pleased to share our latest report, “𝐀 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐠𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐲𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥-𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞”, which explores both the promise and the gaps within this transition. The report highlights key insights on transparency, efficiency, and financial inclusion, while also identifying critical areas where vulnerable populations, especially rural beneficiaries may still be left behind.
Learn more via our digital artefact based on this report:
English: https://oaa.datasense.com.bd/
Bangla: https://oaa.datasense.com.bd/bn/
To ensure relevance and grounded perspectives, a dissemination event hosted by the DataSense research unit of iSocial in October 2025 brought together policymakers, practitioners, researchers, and sector experts. Their valuable feedback and insights have been incorporated into this report, strengthening its practical and policy relevance.
At this pivotal moment, following the formation of a newly elected government in Bangladesh, this report serves as a timely call to action. It aims to inform and encourage policymakers to:
✅ Build on the positive gains of digitalization
✅ Address existing barriers and exclusion risks
✅ Act on evidence-based recommendations
✅ Strengthen systems that ensure both access and agency
While digital systems can enhance delivery, inclusive design determines the ultimate impact.
We invite policymakers, development partners, stakeholders, and all of our readers to engage with the findings and bring forth a more inclusive, accountable, and human-centered approach to social protection in Bangladesh.
Download the report here (Google Drive)
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