Number of crorepatis rises by 4,954 in 3 months

Following the July uprising, many influential figures, including millionaire account holders, fled Bangladesh amid political unrest. Widespread withdrawals from banks led to a decline in the number of crorepatis—individuals or entities with deposits exceeding one crore taka. 

However, as stability has begun to return, deposits have surged, increasing the number of such accounts. In the last three months, Bangladesh Bank reports that crorepatis grew by approximately 4,954.  

According to the latest Bangladesh Bank report, as of December 2024, the banking sector had 1,63,247,532 accounts with a total deposit balance of Tk 1,88,37,111 crore. 

In comparison, at the end of September 2024, there were 162,028,255 accounts with deposits totalling 1Tk ,82,53,483 crore. Over three months, the number of accounts rose by 12,19,277, and deposits increased by Tk 5,83,628 crore.  

Banking officials clarify that a crore taka account does not necessarily indicate an individual millionaire. Many accounts belong to institutions, and both individuals and organizations can hold multiple accounts without restriction. This includes government bodies and organizations with crore-level deposits.  

The report specifies that by December 2024, accounts with deposits over one crore taka totalled 1,22,081, up from 1,17,127 in September—a rise of 4,954 in three months.  

Historical data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics highlights the growth of crorepatis since independence. 

In 1972, there were just 5 such depositors. This number grew to 47 by 1975, 98 by 1980, 943 by 1990, 2,594 by 1996, 5,162 by 2001, 8,887 by 2006, and 19,163 by 2008. 

By December 2020, it reached 93,890, but a sharp drop followed, with only 1,176 recorded by December 2021—possibly a reporting anomaly. 

The figure rebounded to 109,946 by December 2022, 1,16,908 by December 2023, and 1,18,784 by June 2024. 

A dip to 1,17,127 occurred in September 2024, before climbing to 1,22,081 by December 2024.