From a war-ravaged nation in 1971 to an emerging economic power today, Bangladesh's budgetary history reflects the country's remarkable economic transformation. According to budget summaries published by the Ministry of Finance, the national budget has expanded dramatically since independence, growing from a modest allocation of Tk 8.62 crore in FY 1971–72 to a proposed size approaching Tk 9.38 lakh crore.

Historical Overview

In 1972, Bangladesh's first Finance Minister, Tajuddin Ahmad, presented the budgets for both FY 1971–72 and FY 1972–73 simultaneously. The FY 1971–72 budget covered the period from 16 December 1971 to 30 June 1972 and proposed expenditure of only Tk 8.62 crore. The following FY 1972–73 budget proposed expenditure of Tk 719.43 crore.

Between FY 1971–72 and FY 2025–26, Bangladesh presented a total of 54 national budgets. Throughout this period, several finance ministers played significant roles in shaping the country's fiscal policy and economic development.

Finance Ministers by Number of Budgets Presented

Joint Record Holders: 12 Budgets Each

M. Saifur Rahman — 12 Budgets

M. Saifur Rahman holds the joint record for presenting the highest number of national budgets. Serving under BNP governments in different terms, he presented a total of 12 budgets, beginning with FY 1980–81 and concluding with his twelfth budget for FY 2006–07.

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith — 12 Budgets

Abul Maal Abdul Muhith also presented 12 budgets. He achieved a unique distinction by presenting ten consecutive budgets from FY 2009–10 to FY 2018–19 during the Awami League government. Earlier, he had also presented the budgets for FY 1982–83 and FY 1983–84.

Other Major Contributors

Shah A. M. S. Kibria — 6 Budgets

Presented six consecutive budgets from FY 1996–97 through FY 2001–02.

A. H. M. Mustafa Kamal — 5 Budgets

Presented five consecutive budgets from FY 2019–20 to FY 2023–24.

Tajuddin Ahmad — 4 Budgets

Presented four consecutive budgets from FY 1971–72 to FY 1974–75. His first presentation covered two fiscal years simultaneously.

M. Saeeduzzaman — 4 Budgets

Presented four consecutive budgets from FY 1984–85 to FY 1987–88.

Other Finance Ministers

• Ziaur Rahman — 3 budgets
• Abdul Momen — 2 budgets
• A. B. Mirza Mohammad Azizul Islam — 2 budgets
• Azizur Rahman Mallik — 1 budget
• Mirza Nurul Huda — 1 budget
• Wahidul Haq — 1 budget

Recent Budget Developments

For FY 2024–25, former Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali presented Bangladesh's 53rd national budget.

On 2 June 2025, Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed presented his first budget under the interim government, which became the country's 54th national budget. As there was no elected parliament at the time, the budget speech was broadcast through Bangladesh Television (BTV) and Bangladesh Betar. The proposed budget size for FY 2025–26 was Tk 7,89,999 crore.

According to the information provided, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury is scheduled to present the FY 2026–27 budget, which would be the first budget of the new government and his first as Finance Minister. He previously served as Commerce Minister in 2001 under a BNP government. The proposed size of the upcoming budget is expected to be around Tk 9.38 lakh crore.

The history of Bangladesh's national budgets from FY 1971–72 to FY 2025–26 demonstrates the country's steady economic progress despite political transitions, global challenges, and structural reforms. Over more than five decades, the budget has evolved from a modest post-independence financial plan into a multi-trillion-taka fiscal framework, reflecting Bangladesh's expanding economy and development ambitions.