This statistic shows the biggest cities in Bangladesh in 2022. In 2022, approximately ***** million people lived in Dhaka, making it the biggest city in Bangladesh.

Population in the largest city (% of urban population) in Bangladesh was reported at 33.45 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Bangladesh - Population in the largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Bangladesh BD: Population in Largest City data was reported at 23,935,652.000 Person in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 23,209,616.000 Person for 2023. Bangladesh BD: Population in Largest City data is updated yearly, averaging 7,344,419.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2024, with 65 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23,935,652.000 Person in 2024 and a record low of 507,921.000 Person in 1960. Bangladesh BD: Population in Largest City 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. Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.;United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.;;

Population in largest city in Bangladesh was reported at 23935652 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Bangladesh - Population in largest city - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Geographical Outreach: Number of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in 3 Largest Cities for Bangladesh (BGDFCACLNUM) from 2004 to 2015 about ATM, Bangladesh, banks, and depository institutions.

Bangladesh BD: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data was reported at 33.448 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 33.444 % for 2023. Bangladesh BD: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 30.733 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2024, with 65 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.448 % in 2024 and a record low of 19.085 % in 1960. Bangladesh BD: Population in Largest City: as % of Urban 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. Population in largest city is the percentage of a country's urban population living in that country's largest metropolitan area.;United Nations, World Urbanization Prospects.;Weighted average;

This horizontal bar chart displays population (people) by cities using the aggregation sum in Bangladesh. The data is about cities.

Graph and download economic data for Geographical Outreach: Number of Branches in 3 Largest Cities, Excluding Headquarters, for Commercial Banks for Bangladesh (BGDFCBODCLNUM) from 2004 to 2015 about branches, Bangladesh, banks, and depository institutions.

The population density in Bangladesh reached its highest in 2020, amounting to approximately 1.27 thousand people per square kilometer. The South Asian country was the tenth most densely populated country in the world in 2019. Within the Asia Pacific region, Bangladesh’s population density was only exceeded by Macao, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the Maldives. Overall, Asia had the highest population density in the world in 2018.

Population growth in Bangladesh

In 1971, Bangladesh gained its independence from Pakistan. Bangladesh’s birth rate and mortality rate had declined significantly in the past years with a life expectancy of 72.59 years in 2019. In general, the population in Bangladesh had been growing at a slow pace, slightly fluctuating around an annual rate of one percent. This growth was forecasted to continue, although it was estimated to halve by 2040. As of today, Dhaka is the largest city in Bangladesh.

Population density explained

According to the source, “population density is the mid-year population divided by land area in square kilometers.” Further, “population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents.” Bangladesh’s population reached an estimated number of 164.69 million inhabitants in 2020. In 2018, the country’s land area amounted 130.2 thousand square kilometers.

The main objective of the 2019 Chattogram for Low Income Area Gender, Inclusion, and Poverty (CITY) study is to collect primary data from male and female residents in slum and non-slum poor neighborhoods in Chattogram, the second largest city of Bangladesh, and build the evidence base about their constraints to access more and better jobs. The CITY survey was designed to shed light on poverty, economic empowerment, and livelihood in urban areas of Bangladesh as well as to identify key constraints and solutions for low-income women trying to obtain better jobs.

A broad array of information was collected on issues related to women's economic empowerment, ranging from demographic and socioeconomic characteristics to detailed work history, time use, attitudes about work, and perceptions of work. The key feature of this survey is to collect economic data directly from the main household members, generally the main couples, unlike traditional surveys which only interviewed the heads of households (who tend to be men in most cases); thus, failed to gather valuable information from the female population.

This horizontal bar chart displays net migration (people) by capital city using the aggregation sum in Bangladesh. The data is filtered where the date is 2023. The data is about countries per year.

This horizontal bar chart displays expense (% of GDP) by capital city using the aggregation average, weighted by gdp in Bangladesh. The data is filtered where the date is 2021. The data is about countries per year.

Graph and download economic data for Geographical Outreach: Number of Branches in 3 Largest Cities, Excluding Headquarters, for Deposit Taking Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) for Bangladesh (BGDFCBODMFLNUM) from 2004 to 2015 about microfinance, branches, Bangladesh, and deposits.

Accessibility to regional cities dataset is modeled as raster-based travel time/cost analysis, computed for the largest cities surrounding the country. The following cities are included: City - Population Mandalay - 2 442 763 Kolkata - 16 681 589 Patna - 2 803 131 Asansol - 1 317 369 Dhanbad - 1 210 235 This 500m resolution raster dataset is part of FAO’s Hand-in-Hand Initiative, Geographical Information Systems - Multicriteria Decision Analysis (GIS-MCDA) aimed at the identification of value chain infrastructure sites (or optimal location).

The SHAHAR (Supporting Household Activities for Health, Assets and Revenue) project aims to increase incomes and improve unhygienic environments and sanitation conditions in poor urban communities, including slums, in major selected secondary cities in Bangladesh. Using relevant indicators namely socioeconomic; health and hygiene; nutrition and diet; and governance and social institutions the project provides insight into the livelihood conditions and the livelihood security of these slum households. The SHAHAR baseline survey was conducted in July to August, 2002 in slum (basti) communities in Dinajpur. The SHAHAR census survey suggested that only 52 percent of households had children under 5 years of age; doubling the sample size would ensure that the final sample would have at least this many households with children under 5 years of age. This gave an estimated sample size of 271 * 2 = 542. As slum dwellers are assumed to be highly mobile, and the losses would increase over the year between round I in July – August, 2002 and round III a year later, a substantial reserve was added to the sample, as well as some allowance for refusal or other non-response, for a final total of 614 households. The field survey was carried out by two teams, each consisting of three male and female pairs and a supervisor. One pair interviewed one household at a time, with the female interviewer interviewing the main female member of the household and collecting information on household composition, migration and education; training; savings; loans; food consumption; household food security; health; anthropometry and childcare; environment, water and sanitation; shocks and coping strategies; social capital; crime, violence, physical security; governance; and women’s status. The male interviewer interviewed the main male member of the household asking questions on language, religion, and migration; training; employment; transfers, social assistance and other income; household assets; land own ership and tenure; urban agriculture; savings; loans; housing; non food expenditure; shocks and coping strategies; social capital; crime, violence and physical security; and governance. The pairs on each team worked together to cover three households per day and the 614 households surveyed in approximately 39 days in July to August, 2002 in Dinajpur. The SHAHAR (Supporting Household Activities for Health, Assets and Revenue) Dinajpur baseline survey was conducted in collaboration with Data Analysis and Technical Assistance (DATA), Dhaka, Bangladesh; and CARE-Bangladesh. The questionnaires were developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute. The funding for the survey was provided by CARE-Bangladesh; and US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Mogadishu in Somalia led the ranking of cities with the highest population density in 2023, with ****** residents per square kilometer. When it comes to countries, Monaco is the most densely populated state worldwide.

This horizontal bar chart displays proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%) by capital city using the aggregation average in Bangladesh. The data is filtered where the date is 2023. The data is about countries per year.

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

Bangladesh Instant Noodles Market size was valued at USD 1.2 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.5 Billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031.Will the Rising Urbanization Drive the Bangladesh Instant Noodles Market?Bangladesh's growing urbanization is propelling the instant noodles market with the urban population increasing from 28.1% in 2010 to 39.4% in 2023, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. This urbanization movement has significantly affected food consumption patterns in large cities including Bangladesh Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet where busy lifestyles and dual-income households have raised demand for convenient meal options. According to the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, urban working professionals spend 37% less time preparing meals than a decade ago, and 68% of urban households now eat instant food at least twice a week.The influence of urbanization on the instant noodles market is supported by sales statistics from the Bangladesh Supermarket Owners Association which shows that instant noodles sales in urban areas climbed by 45% between 2019 and 2023 with Dhaka experiencing the greatest growth (52%).

最大城市人口占城市总人口的百分比在12-01-2024达33.448%，相较于12-01-2023的33.444%有所增长。最大城市人口占城市总人口的百分比数据按年更新，12-01-1960至12-01-2024期间平均值为30.733%，共65份观测结果。该数据的历史最高值出现于12-01-2024，达33.448%，而历史最低值则出现于12-01-1960，为19.085%。CEIC提供的最大城市人口占城市总人口的百分比数据处于定期更新的状态，数据来源于World Bank，数据归类于全球数据库的孟加拉 – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics。