Introduction :: BANGLADESH
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Muslim conversions and settlement in the region now referred to as Bangladesh began in the 10th century, primarily from Arab and Persian traders and preachers. Europeans began to set up trading posts in the area in the 16th century. Eventually the area known as Bengal, primarily Hindu in the western section and mostly Muslim in the eastern half, became part of British India. Partition in 1947 resulted in an eastern wing of Pakistan in the Muslim-majority area, which became East Pakistan. Calls for greater autonomy and animosity between the eastern and western wings of Pakistan led to a Bengali independence movement. That movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won independence for Bangladesh in a brief war in 1971, during which at least 300,000 civilians died.
The post-independence, AL government faced daunting challenges and in 1975 was overthrown by the military, triggering a series of military coups that resulted in a military-backed government and subsequent creation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). That government also ended in a coup in 1981, followed by military-backed rule until democratic elections in 1991. The BNP and AL alternated in power between 1991 and 2013, with the exception of a military-backed, emergency caretaker regime that suspended parliamentary elections planned for January 2007 in an effort to reform the political system and root out corruption. That government returned the country to fully democratic rule in December 2008 with the election of the AL and Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA. In January 2014, the incumbent AL won the national election by an overwhelming majority after the BNP boycotted, extending HASINA's term as prime minister. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has made great progress in food security since independence, and the economy has grown at an annual average of about 6% over the last two decades.
Geography :: BANGLADESH
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Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
24 00 N, 90 00 E
Asia
total: 148,460 sq km
land: 130,170 sq km
water: 18,290 sq km
country comparison to the world: 95
slightly smaller than Iowa
total: 4,413 km
border countries (2): Burma 271 km, India 4,142 km
580 km
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: to the outer limits of the continental margin
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m
natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
agricultural land: 70.1%
arable land 59%; permanent crops 6.5%; permanent pasture 4.6%
forest: 11.1%
other: 18.8% (2011 est.)
50,500 sq km (2008)
1,227 cu km (2011)
total: 35.87 cu km/yr (10%/2%/88%)
per capita: 238.3 cu m/yr (2008)
droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season
many people are landless and forced to live on and cultivate flood-prone land; waterborne diseases prevalent in surface water; water pollution, especially of fishing areas, results from the use of commercial pesticides; ground water contaminated by naturally occurring arsenic; intermittent water shortages because of falling water tables in the northern and central parts of the country; soil degradation and erosion; deforestation; severe overpopulation
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
most of the country is situated on deltas of large rivers flowing from the Himalayas: the Ganges unites with the Jamuna (main channel of the Brahmaputra) and later joins the Meghna to eventually empty into the Bay of Bengal
People and Society :: BANGLADESH
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noun: Bangladeshi(s)
adjective: Bangladeshi
Bengali at least 98%, ethnic groups 1.1%
note: Bangladesh's goverment recognizes 27 ethnic groups under the 2010 Cultural Institution for Small Anthropological Groups Act; other sources estimate there are about 75 ethnic groups; critics of the 2011 census claim that it underestimates the size of Bangladesh's ethnic population (2011 est.)
Bangla 98.8% (official, also known as Bengali), other 1.2% (2011 est.)
Muslim 89.5%, Hindu 9.6%, other 0.9% (includes Buddhist .5%, Christian .3%) (2004 est.)
168,957,745 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
0-14 years: 31.62% (male 27,115,731/female 26,311,130)
15-24 years: 18.86% (male 14,976,910/female 16,880,807)
25-54 years: 38.27% (male 30,608,224/female 34,053,744)
55-64 years: 6.12% (male 5,196,932/female 5,150,199)
65 years and over: 5.13% (male 4,258,664/female 4,405,404) (2015 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 52.2%
youth dependency ratio: 44.9%
elderly dependency ratio: 7.6%
potential support ratio: 13.2% (2015 est.)
total: 24.7 years
male: 24.2 years
female: 25.1 years (2015 est.)
1.6% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
21.14 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
5.61 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
urban population: 34.3% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 3.55% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
DHAKA (capital) 17.598 million; Chittagong 4.539 million; Khulna 1.022 million; Rajshahi 844,000 (2015)
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.97 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 44.09 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 46.56 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 41.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
total population: 70.94 years
male: 69.02 years
female: 72.94 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
2.4 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
61.2% (2011)
3.7% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world: 169
0.36 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
0.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)
improved:
urban: 86.5% of population
rural: 87% of population
total: 86.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 13.5% of population
rural: 13% of population
total: 13.1% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 57.7% of population
rural: 62.1% of population
total: 60.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 42.3% of population
rural: 37.9% of population
total: 39.4% of population (2015 est.)
0.01% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
8,900 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
700 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
degree of risk: high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations
water contact disease: leptospirosis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
3.3% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 190
35.1% (2013)
country comparison to the world: 5
2.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 161
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 61.5%
male: 64.6%
female: 58.5% (2015 est.)
total: 10 years
male: 10 years
female: 10 years (2011)
total number: 4,485,497
percentage: 13% (2006 est.)
total: 9.3%
male: 8%
female: 13.6% (2005 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Government :: BANGLADESH
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conventional long form: People's Republic of Bangladesh
conventional short form: Bangladesh
local long form: Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh
local short form: Bangladesh
former: East Bengal, East Pakistan
note: the name - a compound of the Bengali words "Bangla" (Bengal) and "desh" (country) - means Country of Bengal
parliamentary democracy
name: Dhaka
geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
7 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet
16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan)
Independence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day, 16 December (1971); note - March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December, known as Victory Day, memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
previous 1935, 1956, 1962 (preindependence); latest enacted 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended March 1982, restored November 1986; amended many times, last in 2011 (2011)
mixed legal system of mostly English common law and Islamic law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Abdul HAMID (since 24 April 2013); note - Abdul HAMID served as acting president following the death of Zillur RAHMAN in March 2013; HAMID was subsequently indirectly elected by the National Parliament and sworn in 24 April 2013
head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 6 January 2009; reappointed 5 January 2014)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister, appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 22 April 2013 (next must be held by 2018); the president appoints as prime minister the majority party leader in the National Parliament
election results: President Abdul HAMID (AL) elected by the National Parliament unopposed; Sheikh HASINA reappointed prime minister as leader of the majority AL party
description: unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad (300 seats including 45 reserved for women; members directly elected in single territorial constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 5 January 2014 (next to be held by January 2019); note - the 5 January 2014 poll was marred by widespread violence, boycotts, general strikes, and low voter turnout
election results: percent of vote by party - AL-led Alliance 79%, JP 34%; seats by party - AL 234, JP 34, other 32
highest court(s): Supreme Court of Bangladesh (organized into the Appellate Division with 7 justices and the High Court Division with 99 justices)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice and justices appointed by the president; justices serve until retirement at age 67
subordinate courts: civil courts include: Assistant Judge's Court; Joint District Judge's Court; Additional District Judge's Court; District Judge's Court; criminal courts include: Court of Sessions; Court of Metropolitan Sessions; special courts/tribunals; Metropolitan Magistrate Courts; Magistrate Court
Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]
Communist Party of Bangladesh or CPB [Manjurul A. KHAN]
Bangladesh Nationalist Front or BNF [Abdul Kalam AZADI]
Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]
Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh or BDB [Badrudozza CHOWDHURY]
Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [multiple leaders]
Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]
Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Oli AHMED]
National Socialist Party or JSD [KHALEQUZZAMAN]
Tarikat Foundation [Syed Nozibul Bashar MAIZBHANDARI]
Workers Party or WP [Rashed Khan MENON]
Ain o Salish Kendro (Centre for Law and Mediation) or ASK (legal aid and civil rights)
Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity
Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee or BRAC
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry
Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs or MoWCA (advocacy group to end gender-based violence)
Odikhar (human rights group)
other: associations of madrassa teachers; business associations, including those intended to promote international trade; development and advocacy NGOs associated with the Grameen Bank; environmentalists; Islamist groups; labor rights advocacy groups; NGOs focused on poverty, alleviation, and socioeconomic international trade; religious leaders; tribal groups and advocacy organizations; union leaders
ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Mohammad ZIAUDDIN (since 18 September 2014)
chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183
FAX: [1] (202) 244-2771
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
chief of mission: Ambassador Marcia BERNICAT (since 12 January 2015)
embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000
telephone: [880] (2) 5566-2000
FAX: [880] (2) 5566-2915
green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the hoist side of center; the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh
Bengal tiger, water lily; national colors: green, red
name: "Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal)
lyrics/music: Rabindranath TAGORE
note: adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem
Economy :: BANGLADESH
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Bangladesh's economy has grown roughly 6% per year since 1996 despite political instability, poor infrastructure, corruption, insufficient power supplies, slow implementation of economic reforms, and the 2008-09 global financial crisis and recession. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, almost half of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector with rice as the single-most-important product. Garment exports, the backbone of Bangladesh’s industrial sector, accounted for more than 80% of total exports and surpassed $18 billion in 2014. The sector has remained resilient in recent years amidst a series of factory accidents that have killed over 1,000 workers and crippling strikes that shut down virtually all economic activity. Steady garment export growth combined with remittances from overseas Bangladeshis - which totaled $14 billion and 8% of GDP in 2014 - are the largest contributors to Bangladesh’s current account surplus and rising foreign exchange holdings.
$533.7 billion (2014 est.)
$503 billion (2013 est.)
$474.2 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world: 36
$185.4 billion (2014 est.)
6.1% (2014 est.)
6.1% (2013 est.)
6.3% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
$3,400 (2014 est.)
$3,200 (2013 est.)
$3,000 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world: 180
30% of GDP (2014 est.)
30.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
30.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
household consumption: 74.1%
government consumption: 5.5%
investment in fixed capital: 26.3%
investment in inventories: 0.4%
exports of goods and services: 22.6%
imports of goods and services: -28.9%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 15.1%
industry: 26.5%
services: 58.3% (2014 est.)
rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry
jute, cotton, garments, paper, leather, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum products, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tea, salt, sugar, edible oils, soap and detergent, fabricated metal products, electricity, natural gas
8.4% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
80.27 million
note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances were $10.9 billion in FY09/10 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 7
agriculture: 47%
industry: 13%
services: 40% (2010 est.)
5% (2014 est.)
5% (2013 est.)
note: about 40% of the population is underemployed; many persons counted as employed work only a few hours a week and at low wages
country comparison to the world: 48
31.5% (2010 est.)
lowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)
32.1 (2010)
33.6 (1996)
country comparison to the world: 107
revenues: $18.09 billion
expenditures: $24.33 billion (2014 est.)
9.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
-3.3% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125
28.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
30.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 131
1 July - 30 June
7% (2014 est.)
7.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 194
5% (31 December 2010)
5% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 76
13% (31 December 2014 est.)
13% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
$19.69 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$16.54 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
$98.43 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$84.11 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$99.59 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$89.32 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
$41.73 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$17.48 billion (31 December 2012)
$23.55 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
-$132 million (2014 est.)
$2.366 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
$31.2 billion (2014 est.)
$28.62 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
garments, knitwear, agricultural products, frozen food (fish and seafood), jute and jute goods, leather
US 14.3%, Germany 13.6%, UK 7.9%, France 5.2%, Spain 4.3%, Italy 4.1% (2014)
$38.5 billion (2014 est.)
$35 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
cotton, machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, foodstuffs
China 18.8%, India 14.8%, Singapore 5.8%, Malaysia 4.2% (2014)
$21.46 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$18.09 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
$33.2 billion (30 June 2014 est.)
$28.26 billion (30 June 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
$8.625 billion (30 June 2014 est.)
$8.593 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
$166.9 million (31 December 2014 est.)
$162.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
taka (BDT) per US dollar -
77.57 (2014 est.)
78.103 (2013 est.)
81.86 (2012 est.)
74.152 (2011 est.)
69.649 (2010 est.)
Energy :: BANGLADESH
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42.41 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
37.88 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 108
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
10.26 million kW (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
97.7% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
2.3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159
4,200 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 90
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
23,620 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
28 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
22,710 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
118,700 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
3,288 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
84,490 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
21.86 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 31
21.86 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 35
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
264.6 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
63.5 million Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Communications :: BANGLADESH
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total subscriptions: 1.09 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
total: 120.4 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 72 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
general assessment: inadequate for a modern country; introducing digital systems; trunk systems include VHF and UHF microwave radio relay links, and some fiber-optic cable in cities
domestic: fixed-line teledensity remains only about 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly and now exceeds 67 telephones per 100 persons
international: country code - 880; landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-4 fiber-optic submarine cable system that provides links to Europe, the Middle East, and Asia; satellite earth stations - 6; international radiotelephone communications and landline service to neighboring countries (2011)
state-owned Bangladesh Television (BTV) operates 1 terrestrial TV station, 3 radio networks, and about 10 local stations; 8 private satellite TV stations and 3 private radio stations also broadcasting; foreign satellite TV stations are gaining audience share in the large cities; several international radio broadcasters are available (2007)
AM 17, FM 19, shortwave 2 (2009)
17 (2009)
.bd
total: 11.4 million
percent of population: 6.9% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Transportation :: BANGLADESH
-
18 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 139
total: 16
over 3,047 m: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 5 (2013)
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m:
1 (2013)
3 (2013)
gas 2,950 km (2013)
total: 2,460 km
broad gauge: 659 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,801 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 60
total: 21,269 km
paved: 1,063 km
unpaved: 20,206 km (2010)
country comparison to the world: 106
8,370 km (includes up to 3,060 km of main cargo routes; network reduced to 5,200 km in the dry season) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 16
total: 62
by type: bulk carrier 25, cargo 28, chemical tanker 1, container 5, petroleum tanker 3
foreign-owned: 8 (China 1, Singapore 7)
registered in other countries: 10 (Comoros 1, Hong Kong 1, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 1) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 64
major seaport(s): Chittagong
river port(s): Mongla Port (Sela River)
container port(s): Chittagong (1,392,104) (2011)
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Bangladesh remain a risk for armed robbery against ships; attacks against vessels have decreased over the last few years in response to improved local security
Military :: BANGLADESH
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Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF) (2013)
16-19 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi birth and 10th grade education required; initial obligation 15 years (2012)
males age 16-49: 36,520,491 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 30,486,086
females age 16-49: 35,616,093 (2010 est.)
male: 1,606,963
female: 1,689,442 (2010 est.)
1.15% of GDP (2013)
1.35% of GDP (2012)
1.44% of GDP (2011)
1.35% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 86
Transnational Issues :: BANGLADESH
-
Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; Indian Prime Minister Singh's September 2011 visit to Bangladesh resulted in the signing of a Protocol to the 1974 Land Boundary Agreement between India and Bangladesh, which had called for the settlement of longstanding boundary disputes over undemarcated areas and the exchange of territorial enclaves, but which had never been implemented; Bangladesh struggles to accommodate 29,000 Rohingya, Burmese Muslim minority from Arakan State, living as refugees in Cox's Bazar; Burmese border authorities are constructing a 200 km (124 mi) wire fence designed to deter illegal cross-border transit and tensions from the military build-up along border
refugees (country of origin): 232,462 (Burma) (2014)
IDPs: at least 431,000 (violence, human rights violations, religious persecution, natural disasters) (2015)
transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries
Central Intelligence Agency
