Socio- Economic Condition of Barisal Division

KALAPARA UPAZILLA
Barisal is one of the oldest divisions of Bangladesh. This division is almost surrounded by the
rivers. Megna, Kirtonkhola, Arialkha, Tatulia, Bishkhali, Kalabodor all are the rivers which are
flowing over the Barisal Division. Because of the surroundings of river, here communication
conditions very poor than the other division of our country. Kalapara upazilla is one of the
biggest upazilla of Patuakhali district. This upazilla surrounded by the river of Andermanik.
More than 35 thousand people are living in this upazilla with its nine unions.
Economic condition of this upazilla is not satisfactory. Most of the people are living below the
poverty line because of their backward inefficiency in business, agriculture, fishing and other
professions.
Most of the peoples common profession is fishing. They use the traditional boat and net for
fishing. Paddy is produced here as the first crop and a good number of farmers are related with
this profession. The condition of business in this upazilla is relatively poor, because of the poor
living conditions of the people.
After those problems, new crisis is arisen in November 15, 2007 named SIDR. It destroyed all
hope and prospect of future for this upazilla to increasing their development. After SIDR most of
the fishermen lost their boat and net, businessmen lost their only grocery shop, farmers lost their
crops. Mostly affected union is Mithagange, Lalua, Khapra bazaar, Dhulashar, Nilgange. From
all of those union Nilgange and Mithagange is most primly affected. Government and NGO have
been taken some necessary steps to reduce the measurable conditions of the people as quickly as
possible.
SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILES OF THE SIDR AFFECTED PEOPLE
The Socio-Economic Background
The socio-economic background discuss with the socio-economic conditions. Particularly in
regards to age, sex, family size, occupation, monthly income and education qualification of the
sampled people. These aspects have influence on changes the socio-economic conditions of the
SIDR affected people. These factors bring out changes among the societys people regarded as
conditions of before SIDR and conditions of the people after SIDR. There are numerous
interrelated and constituent attributes those characteristics on person and profoundly influence
development of his or her behavior and personality. These interrelate and constituent attributes
which are explained below
Sex-Wise Classification of the Sample People

We made our survey over 25 SIDR affected people on Kalapara Upazilla under Patuakhali
District. From this sample people, 19 people are male and the rest are female.
Table 4.1: Sex-Wise Classification of the Sample People
The sex-wise classification of these people are shown belowSex

No. of People

Percentage
(%)

Male

1
9

76%

Femal
e

24%

Total

2
5

100
%

In this evident from the table that the sample is taken from 76% male and 24% female. In our
survey most of people are male because it is easy to collect date form male, and female are want
to avoid information. We try to collect date form such person, who are really affected by the
cyclone
SIDR
Age-Wise Classification
To describe the socio-economic conditions of the SIDR affected people it is necessary to
describe the people as age-wise classification from whom the data are collected. The
classification the sample people according to various is groups according to various age groups
in important to identify the major are group that has been affected by the cyclone SIDR. In the
present study, sample people were classified into 5 age group such as from 15 years to 25
years, from 26 years to 35 years, from 36 to 45 years, from 46 years to 55 years, and above of
55years.
4.2 Table: Age-Wise Classification of the Sample People
Age
Range No.
of Percentage
(years)
Consumer
15 year 25 0
year
9

36
%

26 years 35 0
year
5

20
%

36 years 45 0

24

year

46 years 55 0
year
3

12
%

56 years
Above

0
2

8%

2
5

100
%

Total

Classification of the Sample People According to Family Size

SIDR affected peoples are largely influence by its family size. So, it is necessary to see the effect
of SIDR on affected peoples family size. The family size of the respondents was classified into 3
categories such as small (2- 3 person), medium (4 5 person), and large (5+persons).
4.3 Table: Classification of the Sample People According to Family Size
Family size

Range
(people)

No. of Percentag
Sampl e
e

Small

23

24%

Mediu
m

17

68%

Large

5
+

08%

25

100%

Total

Table 1.3 shows that 24% respondents had small family size, 68% respondents had medium
family size while 8% respondents had large family size. In our survey area most of the families
are medium then small family due to modernization and small number are large family due to
urban
area.
Classification of the Sample People According to Occupation Status
A persons occupation affects his or her choice of goods and services. The type of occupation
depends on the level of education of the individual and also defines his or her social status.
Occupation of the respondent who provide data are shown in given below table and graph.

4.4. Table: Classification of the Sample People According to Occupation

Occupation

No.
of Percenta
consume ge
r

Service

8%

Business

16%

Agricult
ure

12%

Fishing

20%

Other

11

44%

Total

25

100%

The sample people are divided into 5 types such as - service holder; business, Agriculture,
fishing and others which are respectively 8%, 16%, 12%, 20% and 44% of total occupation
mainly include student and housewife. Others column includes the student and the housewife as
the occupation as a result its percentage is higher than the all others.
Classification of the Sample People According to Educational Qualification
One of the most significant parts of socio-economic conditions of the people is the educational
qualification. In our surveyed people we classified them in five categories. These are illiterate,
primary, secondary, higher secondary, and higher education. In our surveyed most of the people
are involved in the range of secondary education, there are 36%. 28% people are qualified as
primary education, 8% are illiterate, 16% are higher secondary, and 12% are involved in higher
education.