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.

Accessibility to major cities dataset is modeled as raster-based travel time/cost analysis, computed for the largest cities (>500k habitants) in the country. 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).

Graph and download economic data for Geographical Outreach: Number of Branches in 3 Largest Cities, Excluding Headquarters, for Other Financial Intermediaries for Bangladesh (BGDFCBMLNUM) from 2004 to 2015 about intermediaries, branches, Bangladesh, and financial.

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).

Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Dhaka, Bangladesh metro area from 1950 to 2025.

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 Bangladesh food service market exhibits robust growth potential, driven by a burgeoning young population, rising disposable incomes, and a shift towards convenience and diverse culinary experiences. The market's segmentation reveals a dynamic landscape, with Quick Service Restaurants (QSRs) like burger joints and pizzerias, and cafes and bars, experiencing significant traction due to their affordability and accessibility. Full-Service Restaurants (FSRs), offering diverse cuisines from Asian to European, cater to a growing middle class seeking higher-quality dining experiences. The increasing popularity of online food delivery platforms and the rise of cloud kitchens are further fueling market expansion. While the chained outlet segment holds a substantial share, independent outlets are also thriving, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit within the food service industry. Geographic location plays a crucial role, with high concentrations in major cities and areas with high foot traffic, such as retail hubs and leisure destinations. Challenges include maintaining food safety standards, managing fluctuating ingredient costs, and navigating the competitive landscape. However, the overall growth trajectory remains positive, indicating a promising future for investors and businesses operating within this sector. The forecast period (2025-2033) is expected to witness sustained growth, propelled by factors such as increasing urbanization, tourism, and the expansion of the middle class. The market's diverse segments offer various opportunities for specialized players. For instance, the increasing health consciousness might lead to higher demand for healthier options in QSRs and cafes. Similarly, the growing preference for international cuisines will provide growth opportunities for FSRs. To capitalize on this potential, businesses must focus on innovation, effective marketing strategies that leverage digital platforms, and a commitment to maintaining high quality and service standards to meet the evolving expectations of Bangladeshi consumers. Understanding the specific preferences of different consumer segments will be critical for successful market penetration. Notable trends are: Local fast-food chains with healthier and high-quality ingredients are gaining popularity in Bangladesh..

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).

Thematic results at a glance.

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%).

Improving the urban environment is an urgent task in the fast-growing mid-sized cities of South Asia. Ambient air pollution is worsened by unplanned urban land use and a lack of green and waterbodies, which combined cause a rapid increase in the urban heat island (UHI) effect. This study focuses on pervasive ambient air pollution in the urban environment, primarily driven by particulate matter (PM), which presents a dire public health threat. An in-situ investigation of 48 sites in a mid-sized but fast-growing city, Mymensingh, Bangladesh, suggested that the PM2.5 concentration (118 ± 64 μg/m3) is about eight times higher than the daily average suggested by WHO (15 μg/m3). Weekdays and weekends do not show significant differences in PM generation. Geospatial analysis suggests that good air quality conditions are not found in the study area, and > 50% of people are exposed to PM10 in very unhealthy conditions (≥151 μg/m3). Traffic and commercial land cover generate the highest PM level. The monsoon climatic events control precipitation and are the most influential factor in diminishing PM concentrations. However, fast-growing mid-sized cities, like Mymensingh in Bangladesh and others throughout South Asia, are facing extreme ambient air pollution that severely impacts public health. Therefore, more action-oriented research initiatives are needed to formulate policies to control air pollution, considering local experiences, indigenous knowledge, logistics capabilities, cultural orientation, transparency, accountability, and strong collaboration, cooperation, and commitment among the public-private partnership.

Bangladesh has sustained robust economic growth, led by industrial development and urbanization, for the past three decades. In tandem with its economic development, country has been increasingly urbanizing led by the massive growth of Dhaka, the nation’s capital. Yet urbanization and industrial growth have come with high environmental costs that are increasingly harming Bangladesh’s prospects for continued strong economic progress. Urban environmental pollution is already imposing a significant cost on the economy. Over the last decade, country has improved its policy regime and systems for environmental and pollution management, yet much more needs to be done to arrest the stark effects of pollution and environmental degradation on people’s health and economic productivity. Given the growing environmental challenges that Bangladesh’s cities face, this assessment focuses on the country’s urban areas. The report analyzes the impacts and causes of pollution levels and natural resource degradation in Dhaka and other rapidly growing cities. It updates the first assessment prepared over a decade ago with the aim of (i) better understanding the environmental challenges, trends, and implications of rapid economic growth in urban areas; and (ii) identifying paths toward cleaner and more climate resilient growth through technological changes and institutional, regulatory, and policy reforms. The analysis includes case studies at the city level, including the Greater Dhaka area and other cities of various sizes. Based on the analysis in this assessment, priorities for reform and investment should include the following: (i) enhancing environmental policy and institutions at the national level; (ii) enhancing environmental management at the local/ city level; (iii) strengthening the enforcement and accountability regime; (iv) leveraging market-based instruments to protect the environment and unlock green financing; (v) promoting resource-efficient and cleaner production as a tool for reconciling environmental performance with competitiveness; (vi) harnessing the power of public pressure.

Distribution of the number of pregnancy complications among the urban women in Bangladesh.

IntroductionA massive outbreak of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) occurred in Bangladesh during the period of April-September 2017, and over two million people were at risk of getting infected by the virus. A prospective cohort of viremic patients was constituted and analyzed to define the clinical, hematological, and long-term aspects of this outbreak.MethodsA 35-day long comprehensive survey was conducted in two major, neighboring cities, Dhaka and Mymensingh. One-hundred and eighty-seven laboratory-confirmed CHIKV cases were enrolled in the cross-sectional cohort study. Additionally, a smaller group of 48 chikungunya patients was monitored for post-infection effects for 12 months.ResultsClinical data revealed that a combination of fever and arthralgia (oligoarthralgia and/or polyarthralgia) was the cardinal hallmark (97.9% of cases) of the infection. Hematological analysis showed that irrespective of age and sex groups, CHIKV patients had a decreased level of hemoglobin (n = 64, p < 0.01) and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (n = 131, p < 0.01). Besides, a significant portion of the patients represented abnormal values for RBC (n = 38, p = 0.0005) and WBC (n = 63, p < 0.01) counts. The post-infection study revealed that children had an early recovery from the infection compared to the adults. Moreover, post-infection weakness, successive relapse of arthralgic pain, and memory problems were the most significant aftereffects, which had an impact on the daily activities of patients.ConclusionsThis study represents a comprehensive overview of clinical and epidemiological features of the 2017 outbreak of CHIKV in Bangladesh as well as its chronic outcomes till the 12th month. It provides insights into the natural history of this disease, which may help to improve the management of CHIKV patients.