Country Profile: Bangladesh

Bangladesh, located in Southern Asia at the delta of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems, has a rich history influenced by various empires and cultures. The nation has a population of approximately 174 million, predominantly Bengali, and is known for its diverse cultural heritage and significant economic growth, particularly in the textile industry. Governed as a parliamentary republic, Bangladesh continues to develop its governance structures while facing challenges such as poverty alleviation and environmental sustainability.

Geography

Bangladesh is situated in Southern Asia, bordered by the Bay of Bengal, India, and Burma. The country covers an area of approximately 148,460 square kilometers, featuring a mostly flat terrain with hilly regions in the southeast. Its climate is tropical, with distinct seasons including a mild winter and a rainy monsoon period.

Land boundaries: 4,413 km with India and Burma
Area: 148,460 sq km
Coastline: 580 km
Natural resources: Natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Major rivers: Brahmaputra and Ganges
Elevation: Highest point at 1,060 m (Mowdok Taung)

People and Society

Bangladesh has a total population of approximately 174 million, with a diverse demographic structure. The majority are Bengali (over 99%), with a small percentage of indigenous ethnic groups. The country is predominantly Muslim, with significant Hindu and other religious communities. Life expectancy stands at 75.2 years, indicative of improving health conditions.

Population (2025 est.): 174,370,536
Urban population: 40.5% of total
Literacy rate: 79% (2022)
Median age: 27.8 years
Birth rate: 19.45 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 115 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Economy

Bangladesh’s economy is one of the fastest-growing in the emerging markets, driven largely by its textile industry. After recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, the nation continues to face challenges such as declining foreign exchange reserves and inflation. The GDP per capita is estimated to be around $8,500, reflecting a significant improvement in economic conditions.

GDP (PPP): $1.473 trillion (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate: 5.8% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate: 4.7% (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 18.7% (2022 est.)
Exports: $53.848 billion (2024 est.)
Imports: $74.96 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Bangladesh operates under a parliamentary republic framework, with Dhaka as its capital. The political landscape has been shaped by its history of military coups and democratic transitions. Recent events have highlighted political instability, culminating in the appointment of an interim Prime Minister after mass protests against the previous administration.

Government type: Parliamentary republic
Capital: Dhaka
Independence: 16 December 1971
Voting age: 18 years
Political parties: Awami League (AL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), among others

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Bangladesh, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force, are crucial for both external defense and internal security. The country has been active in international military missions, particularly as part of UN peacekeeping forces. Military expenditures are around 0.9% of GDP.

Active military personnel: Approximately 170,000 (2025)
Military expenditures: 0.9% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military deployments: Approximately 4,200 personnel in various international missions

Energy

Bangladesh has made significant strides in electrification, with nearly universal access to electricity. The energy sector is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, though there are initiatives to increase renewable energy sources. Natural gas is a critical component of the energy mix.

Electricity access: 99.4% of the population (2022 est.)
Installed generating capacity: 22.699 million kW (2023 est.)
Natural gas production: 22.334 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Coal consumption: 14.05 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Environment

The country faces several environmental challenges, including flooding, water pollution, and soil degradation. As a low-lying delta region, it is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts. Bangladesh is a participant in multiple international environmental agreements.

Annual CO2 emissions: 125.956 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Urbanization rate: 2.88% annual change (2020-2025)
Major environmental issues: Flooding, groundwater pollution, deforestation

Transportation

Transportation in Bangladesh includes a network of railways, roads, and waterways. The country has several airports and heliports, though the infrastructure remains underdeveloped in many areas.

Railways: 2,460 km (2014)
Airports: 17 (2025)
Merchant marine: 558 vessels (2023)

Communications

Bangladesh has seen rapid growth in mobile telecommunications, with a high percentage of the population using mobile devices. Internet penetration is improving, though broadband remains limited.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 188 million (2024 est.)
Internet users: 45% of the population (2023 est.)
Broadband subscriptions: 12.9 million (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	174,370,536 (2025 est.)
Area	148,460 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.473 trillion (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	11.472 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	19.45 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment rate	4.7% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	75.2 years (2024 est.)