Key information about Bangladesh population

• The Bangladesh population reached 169.3 million people in Jun 2021, compared with the previously reported figure of 167.4 million people in Jun 2020
• The data reached an all-time high of 169.3 million people in Jun 2021 and a record low of 108.7 million people in Jun 1990

The share of rural population in Bangladesh saw no significant changes in 2023 in comparison to the previous year 2022 and remained at around 59.53 percent. But still, the share reached its lowest value of the observation period in 2023. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between the total population and urban population.Find more key insights for the share of rural population in countries like Nepal and Bhutan.

Bangladesh BD: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data was reported at 47.214 % in 2022. This records a decrease from the previous number of 49.000 % for 2017. Bangladesh BD: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 51.060 % from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2022, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 65.320 % in 2006 and a record low of 47.214 % in 2022. Bangladesh BD: Employment To Population Ratio: National Estimate: Aged 15-24: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15-24 are generally considered the youth population.;International Labour Organization. “Labour Force Statistics database (LFS)” ILOSTAT. Accessed January 07, 2025. https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/.;Weighted average;The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

The share of urban population in Bangladesh increased by 0.8 percentage points (+2.01 percent) in 2023 in comparison to the previous year. With 40.47 percent, the share thereby reached its highest value in the observed period. Notably, the share continuously increased over the last years.A population may be defined as urban depending on the size (population or area) or population density of the village, town, or city. The urbanization rate then refers to the share of the total population who live in an urban setting. International comparisons may be inconsistent due to differing parameters for what constitutes an urban center.

Bangladesh: Rural population, percent of total population: The latest value from 2023 is 59.53 percent, a decline from 60.29 percent in 2022. In comparison, the world average is 38.64 percent, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Bangladesh from 1960 to 2023 is 79.52 percent. The minimum value, 59.53 percent, was reached in 2023 while the maximum of 94.86 percent was recorded in 1960.

Bangladesh BD: Rural Population Growth data was reported at -0.245 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of -0.186 % for 2022. Bangladesh BD: Rural Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 1.307 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2023, with 63 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.765 % in 1962 and a record low of -0.245 % in 2023. Bangladesh BD: Rural Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.;World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

Historical chart and dataset showing total population for Bangladesh by year from 1950 to 2025.

The annual population growth in Bangladesh increased by 0.2 percentage points (+19.61 percent) compared to the previous year. With 1.22 percent, the population growth thereby reached its highest value in the observed period. Annual population growth refers to the change in the population over time, and is affected by factors such as fertility, mortality, and migration.Find more key insights for the annual population growth in countries like Bhutan and India.

Bangladesh: Buddhists as percent of the total population: The latest value from 2013 is 0.6 percent, unchanged from 0.6 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 36.4 percent, based on data from 21 countries. Historically, the average for Bangladesh from 1971 to 2013 is 0.6 percent. The minimum value, 0.6 percent, was reached in 1971 while the maximum of 0.6 percent was recorded in 1971.

Bangladesh BD: Rural Population data was reported at 102,069,155.000 Person in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 102,120,461.000 Person for 2022. Bangladesh BD: Rural Population data is updated yearly, averaging 91,395,849.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 106,201,546.000 Person in 2007 and a record low of 49,167,258.000 Person in 1960. Bangladesh BD: Rural Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population. Aggregation of urban and rural population may not add up to total population because of different country coverages.;World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Sum;

Rural population (% of total population) in Bangladesh was reported at 58.77 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Bangladesh - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Bangladesh BD: Rural Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 59.527 % in 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 60.289 % for 2022. Bangladesh BD: Rural Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 79.566 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2023, with 64 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 94.865 % in 1960 and a record low of 59.527 % in 2023. Bangladesh BD: Rural Population: % of Total Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.;World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.;Weighted average;

The fertility rate of a married woman can be measured by the length of the first birth interval (FBI). This length is influenced by some significant factors. Better knowledge about the factors affecting the birth interval can help in controlling population growth and fertility progress. The main focus of this study was to compare the performance of Cox-Proportional Hazard (Cox-PH) and the parametric Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) model in assessing the impact of significant factors affecting the time to FBI of ever-married Bangladeshi women. Information of 14941 women having at least one birth was included in this study from the most recent nationally representative data 2017–18 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). We used the Cox-PH model and AFT model under various parametric forms of survival time distributions (Weibull, Exponential, and Log-normal distribution) to measure the effect of factors influencing FBI. And then, a respective Akaike information criterion (AIC) was calculated for selecting the best-fitted model. According to the AIC and BIC values, the log-normal model fitted better than other AFT models. Based on the log-normal model, women’s age and age at first marriage, maternal and paternal education, contraceptive use status, used anything to avoid pregnancy, sex of household head, and spousal age difference had a significant association with FBI of ever married Bangladeshi women. The parametric AFT model (log-normal distribution) was a better fitted model in evaluating the covariates associated with FBI of ever-married Bangladeshi Women. Higher education, the right age at marriage, and proper knowledge about family planning (i.e., contraception use) should be ensured for every married person to control the gap of the first birth.

Bangladesh Market Outlook

The Bangladesh market size is projected to grow significantly, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2023 to 2032. The global market size for 2023 is $411 billion, and it is forecasted to reach approximately $685 billion by 2032. This growth is driven primarily by an expanding industrial base, increased foreign investment, and a burgeoning middle class with rising disposable incomes.

One of the key growth factors for the Bangladesh market is the robust expansion of the textiles and garments industry. As one of the largest sectors in the country, it accounts for a significant portion of export revenue and employment. Favorable government policies, such as tax incentives and the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs), have spurred further investment and production capacity in this sector. Additionally, the global shift towards sustainable and ethical fashion has created opportunities for Bangladeshi manufacturers to capture new market shares by adhering to international standards and certification.

Another critical factor contributing to the market growth is the rapid development of the pharmaceutical industry. Bangladesh has emerged as a significant player in the global pharmaceutical landscape, primarily due to its ability to produce generic drugs at competitive prices. The industry has benefited from consistent government support, including relaxed regulatory frameworks and incentives for research and development. Furthermore, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for robust healthcare infrastructure, leading to increased investment in medical facilities and pharmaceutical production capabilities.

The burgeoning Information Technology (IT) sector is also a major growth driver. With a young, tech-savvy population, Bangladesh has seen a surge in IT-related activities, including software development, IT services, and business process outsourcing (BPO). Government initiatives such as the Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021 have played a pivotal role in fostering an environment conducive to IT growth. This push towards digital transformation has also attracted significant foreign direct investment (FDI), further bolstering the sector.

Regionally, Dhaka remains the economic powerhouse of Bangladesh, contributing a substantial portion to the country's GDP. The city has seen significant infrastructure development, including the construction of metro lines and expressways, which facilitate business operations and attract investments. Chittagong, as a major port city, also plays a crucial role in the country's trade dynamics, handling a large volume of imports and exports. Khulna and Rajshahi, while smaller in comparison, are growing economic centers with increasing industrial activities and investment opportunities.

Industry Analysis

Textiles and Garments Analysis

The textiles and garments industry is the cornerstone of Bangladesh's economy, accounting for about 84% of the country’s total exports. This sector has experienced exponential growth due to several favorable conditions, including abundant labor supply, competitive labor costs, and supportive government policies. The establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) has provided a controlled environment for businesses to operate efficiently, thereby attracting foreign investors. Additionally, the global trend towards sustainable and ethical production practices has led Bangladeshi manufacturers to adopt international standards, thereby opening new export markets.

Bangladesh's comparative advantage in this sector lies in its ability to produce garments at a lower cost compared to other countries. The availability of a large, skilled, and semi-skilled workforce has made it possible for manufacturers to produce high volumes at competitive prices. Moreover, government incentives such as tax holidays, subsidies, and reduced import duties on raw materials have further fueled growth in this sector. The implementation of advanced technologies like automated sewing machines and cutting-edge design software has also enhanced production efficiency and quality.

The industry's growth is not without its challenges. Issues such as poor labor conditions, safety concerns, and environmental impacts have drawn international scrutiny. However, significant strides have been made to address these issues through initiatives like the Bangladesh Accord and the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, which aim to improve factory safety and workers' rights. Additionally, th

In 2023, the number of refugees residing in Bangladesh increased by 19.6 thousand refugees (+2.06 percent) compared to 2022. While the growth is slowing down, with 971.98 thousand refugees, the number of refugees residing is at its peak in the observed period. Refugee population includes people who are outside of their country of origin for reasons of feared persecution, conflict, generalized violence, or other circumstances that have seriously disturbed public order and, therefore, require international protection. Country or territory of asylum is the country or territory where an asylum claim was filed and granted.Find more statistics on other topics about Bangladesh with key insights such as health expenditure as a share of gross domestic product, death rate, share of children aged 12-23 months immunized against diphtheria, and pertussis and tetanus (DPT).

In 1800, the population of the area of modern-day Bangladesh was estimated to be just over 19 million, a figure which would rise steadily throughout the 19th century, reaching over 26 million by 1900. At the time, Bangladesh was the eastern part of the Bengal region in the British Raj, and had the most-concentrated Muslim population in the subcontinent's east. At the turn of the 20th century, the British colonial administration believed that east Bengal was economically lagging behind the west, and Bengal was partitioned in 1905 as a means of improving the region's development. East Bengal then became the only Muslim-majority state in the eastern Raj, which led to socioeconomic tensions between the Hindu upper classes and the general population. Bengal Famine During the Second World War, over 2.5 million men from across the British Raj enlisted in the British Army and their involvement was fundamental to the war effort. The war, however, had devastating consequences for the Bengal region, as the famine of 1943-1944 resulted in the deaths of up to three million people (with over two thirds thought to have been in the east) due to starvation and malnutrition-related disease. As the population boomed in the 1930s, East Bengal's mismanaged and underdeveloped agricultural sector could not sustain this growth; by 1942, food shortages spread across the region, millions began migrating in search of food and work, and colonial mismanagement exacerbated this further. On the brink of famine in early-1943, authorities in India called for aid and permission to redirect their own resources from the war effort to combat the famine, however these were mostly rejected by authorities in London. While the exact extent of each of these factors on causing the famine remains a topic of debate, the general consensus is that the British War Cabinet's refusal to send food or aid was the most decisive. Food shortages did not dissipate until late 1943, however famine deaths persisted for another year. Partition to independence Following the war, the movement for Indian independence reached its final stages as the process of British decolonization began. Unrest between the Raj's Muslim and Hindu populations led to the creation of two separate states in1947; the Muslim-majority regions became East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) and West Pakistan (now Pakistan), separated by the Hindu-majority India. Although East Pakistan's population was larger, power lay with the military in the west, and authorities grew increasingly suppressive and neglectful of the eastern province in the following years. This reached a tipping point when authorities failed to respond adequately to the Bhola cyclone in 1970, which claimed over half a million lives in the Bengal region, and again when they failed to respect the results of the 1970 election, in which the Bengal party Awami League won the majority of seats. Bangladeshi independence was claimed the following March, leading to a brutal war between East and West Pakistan that claimed between 1.5 and three million deaths in just nine months. The war also saw over half of the country displaced, widespread atrocities, and the systematic rape of hundreds of thousands of women. As the war spilled over into India, their forces joined on the side of Bangladesh, and Pakistan was defeated two weeks later. An additional famine in 1974 claimed the lives of several hundred thousand people, meaning that the early 1970s was one of the most devastating periods in the country's history. Independent Bangladesh In the first decades of independence, Bangladesh's political hierarchy was particularly unstable and two of its presidents were assassinated in military coups. Since transitioning to parliamentary democracy in the 1990s, things have become comparatively stable, although political turmoil, violence, and corruption are persistent challenges. As Bangladesh continues to modernize and industrialize, living standards have increased and individual wealth has risen. Service industries have emerged to facilitate the demands of Bangladesh's developing economy, while manufacturing industries, particularly textiles, remain strong. Declining fertility rates have seen natural population growth fall in recent years, although the influx of Myanmar's Rohingya population due to the displacement crisis has seen upwards of one million refugees arrive in the country since 2017. In 2020, it is estimated that Bangladesh has a population of approximately 165 million people.

Bangladesh BD: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data was reported at 77.439 % in 2024. This records a decrease from the previous number of 77.631 % for 2023. Bangladesh BD: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 82.403 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2024, with 34 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 85.524 % in 1991 and a record low of 76.634 % in 2020. Bangladesh BD: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15 and older are generally considered the working-age population.;International Labour Organization. “ILO Modelled Estimates and Projections database (ILOEST)” ILOSTAT. Accessed January 07, 2025. https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/.;Weighted average;National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

In 2022, India overtook China as the world's most populous country and now has almost 1.46 billion people. China now has the second-largest population in the world, still with just over 1.4 billion inhabitants, however, its population went into decline in 2023. Global population As of 2025, the world's population stands at almost 8.2 billion people and is expected to reach around 10.3 billion people in the 2080s, when it will then go into decline. Due to improved healthcare, sanitation, and general living conditions, the global population continues to increase; mortality rates (particularly among infants and children) are decreasing and the median age of the world population has steadily increased for decades. As for the average life expectancy in industrial and developing countries, the gap has narrowed significantly since the mid-20th century. Asia is the most populous continent on Earth; 11 of the 20 largest countries are located there. It leads the ranking of the global population by continent by far, reporting four times as many inhabitants as Africa. The Demographic Transition The population explosion over the past two centuries is part of a phenomenon known as the demographic transition. Simply put, this transition results from a drastic reduction in mortality, which then leads to a reduction in fertility, and increase in life expectancy; this interim period where death rates are low and birth rates are high is where this population explosion occurs, and population growth can remain high as the population ages. In today's most-developed countries, the transition generally began with industrialization in the 1800s, and growth has now stabilized as birth and mortality rates have re-balanced. Across less-developed countries, the stage of this transition varies; for example, China is at a later stage than India, which accounts for the change in which country is more populous - understanding the demographic transition can help understand the reason why China's population is now going into decline. The least-developed region is Sub-Saharan Africa, where fertility rates remain close to pre-industrial levels in some countries. As these countries transition, they will undergo significant rates of population growth

Bangladesh BD: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data was reported at 1.350 % in 2016. Bangladesh BD: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 1.350 % from Dec 2016 (Median) to 2016, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.350 % in 2016 and a record low of 1.350 % in 2016. Bangladesh BD: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The growth rate in the welfare aggregate of the bottom 40% is computed as the annualized average growth rate in per capita real consumption or income of the bottom 40% of the population in the income distribution in a country from household surveys over a roughly 5-year period. Mean per capita real consumption or income is measured at 2017 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) using the Poverty and Inequality Platform (http://www.pip.worldbank.org). For some countries means are not reported due to grouped and/or confidential data. The annualized growth rate is computed as (Mean in final year/Mean in initial year)^(1/(Final year - Initial year)) - 1. The reference year is the year in which the underlying household survey data was collected. In cases for which the data collection period bridged two calendar years, the first year in which data were collected is reported. The initial year refers to the nearest survey collected 5 years before the most recent survey available, only surveys collected between 3 and 7 years before the most recent survey are considered. The coverage and quality of the 2017 PPP price data for Iraq and most other North African and Middle Eastern countries were hindered by the exceptional period of instability they faced at the time of the 2017 exercise of the International Comparison Program. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform for detailed explanations.;World Bank, Global Database of Shared Prosperity (GDSP) (http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/brief/global-database-of-shared-prosperity).;;The comparability of welfare aggregates (consumption or income) for the chosen years T0 and T1 is assessed for every country. If comparability across the two surveys is a major concern for a country, the selection criteria are re-applied to select the next best survey year(s). Annualized growth rates are calculated between the survey years, using a compound growth formula. The survey years defining the period for which growth rates are calculated and the type of welfare aggregate used to calculate the growth rates are noted in the footnotes.

Abstract

Chakaria Health and Demographic Surveillance System (CHDSS), located on the south-eastern coast of the Bay of Bengal, is one of the field sites of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDRB). The HDSS was established in 1999 covering 183 villages of 166,405 individuals living in 26,979 households.

In CHDSS since 2004 data on socio-demographic and health indicators including birth, death, migration, marriage, maternal health, education and employment have been systematically collected and recorded from 7,042 households, randomly chosen from the total of 26,979 households through quarterly household visits by a team of surveillance workers (SWs) with supervision from a team of two supervisors. In 2011 data collection system was modified choosing 49 villages randomly from a total of 183 which were divided into 14 work areas and 14 SWs were recruited from their residing areas. Most of the households included in the system prior to this modification were also included in the new system. The modification of the system has resulted the visit by SWs almost double the number of households, saving time spent on travel in comparison with the previous system. In addition, the modification allowed the possibility of estimating migration as the system includes complete villages.

Currently, surveillance covers 82,160 individuals (16,272 households). The primary objective of CHDSS is to monitor the changes in socio-demographic indicators, inequalities in health and impact of public health interventions. This dataset contains rounds 1 to 26 of demographic surveillance data covering the period from 2 Feb 2004 to 31 December 2014.

Geographic coverage

Chakaria is one of the 500 upazilas (sub-districts) in Bangladesh. It is located between latitudes 21o34' and 21o55' North and longitudes 91o54' and 92o13' East in the southeastern coast of the Bay of Bengal. Administratively, it is under Cox's Bazar district with an estimated population of 511,861 in 2013. The highway from Chittagong to Cox's Bazar passes through Chakaria. The east side of Chakaria is hilly, while on the west side towards the Bay of Bengal is lowland. The Chakaria HDSS covered 11 unions: Baraitali, Kaiarbil, Bheola Manik Char, Paschim Boro Bheola, Shaharbil, Kakara, Harbang, Purba Boro Bheola, Surajpur Manikpur, Konakhali, and Dhemoshia.

Analysis unit

Individual

Universe

Currently, the study covers 82,029 individuals (16,624 households) in Chakaria HDSS area.

Kind of data

Event history data

Frequency of data collection

Collection of data from households on a quarterly basis

Sampling procedure

This dataset is related to the demographic surveillance population as a whole

Sampling deviation

Not applicable

Mode of data collection

Proxy Respondent [proxy]

Research instrument

• Child Health Profile form
• Death form
• Household Characteristics form
• DSS data collection blank form
• Abolished form
• Correction form
• Listing form
• Migration form

Cleaning operations

All the filled questionnaires were manually checked for completeness and for any inconsistencies. Subsequently, computer-based data editing procedures were applied to ensure the quality of data.

Response rate

On an average the response rate is 99.99% in all rounds over the years.

Sampling error estimates

Not applicable

Data appraisal

CentreId MetricTable QMetric Illegal Legal Total Metric RunDate
BD013 MicroDataCleaned Starts 135810 2017-06-29 12:12 BD013 MicroDataCleaned Transitions 0 339739 339739 0. 2017-06-29 12:12 BD013 MicroDataCleaned Ends 135810 2017-06-29 12:12 BD013 MicroDataCleaned SexValues 339739 2017-06-29 12:12 BD013 MicroDataCleaned DoBValues 339739 2017-06-29 12:13