New Delhi, Feb 16 (NationPress) In the latest assembly of lawmakers in the Bangladesh Parliament, businesspersons represent the largest demographic, with the average age standing at approximately 59 years, as reported by various Bangladeshi media outlets on Monday.

The Daily Star highlighted that more than half of the newly formed parliament consists of business professionals, as indicated by affidavits submitted to the Election Commission during the electoral process.

A total of 178 lawmakers listed business as their occupation in their affidavits, with all but two disclosing their income, which averages around Tk 1 crore (over Rs 74 lakh).

The second most represented group, according to the publication, is comprised of lawyers, with 40 members elected to the parliament. Their average annual income is reported to be Tk 26.8 lakh (nearly Rs 20 lakh).

Additionally, 14 members identified themselves as farmers or engaged in agricultural activities, earning an average of Tk 11.7 lakh (approximately Rs 8.7 lakh) annually.

The lowest-earning farmer mentioned is Md Golam Rabbani from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, who earns Tk 40,000 (less than Rs 30,000) yearly. Despite this, he possesses movable assets valued at Tk 22.9 lakh, alongside his wife's assets amounting to Tk 16.5 lakh.

The parliament also welcomed at least 28 educators, primarily from the Jamaat party, while there were at least 10 physicians—three from the Jamaat and the remainder from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The highest-earning physician is Md Moselehuddin Farid from Jamaat, who reportedly practices abroad, with the average income of physician lawmakers being Tk 18 lakh (over Rs 13 lakh) annually.

Other parliament members include retired professionals, private sector employees, and scientists.

Among the parliament's top earners is Zakaria Taher from BNP, who boasts an annual income of Tk 59.1 crore and holds the highest movable assets at Tk 172.3 crore.

However, Zakaria is considered an outlier, as the second-highest earner, Mirza Abbas from Dhaka-8, reports an income of Tk 9.26 crore.

Conversely, the lawmaker with the least income is Md Shahjahan from BNP, earning just Tk 32,822 from share investments.

Only nine individuals identified as politicians, including BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman, who is viewed as a potential future Prime Minister.

The Business Standard cited a Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) report indicating that the average age of the winners in the 13th general election is 59, classifying this parliament as comparatively young.

The TIB's report, titled "13th National Parliamentary Election Process and Affidavit-Based Observation," revealed that among the elected MPs, 3.03% are aged between 25-34, 6.73% between 35-44, 18.86% aged 45-54, 33.67% between 55-64, and 36.03% are over 65 years old.

A total of 209 members were elected to the parliament, which has a total capacity of 300, marking a first in this election, where both the prospective Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition are newcomers.