Bangladesh's government says the country's poverty level fell to 31.5 percent in 2010 from 40 percent in 2005 — an 8.5 percent drop over five years.

A report issued jointly with the World Bank on Wednesday says poverty in rural areas declined to 35.2 percent in 2010 from 43.8 percent in 2005, while urban poverty fell to 21.3 percent from 28.4 percent in the same period.

More than 70 percent of Bangladesh's 159 million people lives in rural areas.

Money sent back home by migrant workers and improved social programs were credited for the improved economic scene.