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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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)

Internet country code [time series]

.bd

Internet users [time series]

total: 11.4 million | percent of population: 6.9% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 17, FM 19, shortwave 2 (2009)

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines [time series]

total subscriptions: 1.09 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 74

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

total: 120.4 million | subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 72 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 12

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

17 (2009)

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry

Budget [time series]

revenues: $18.09 billion | expenditures: $24.33 billion (2014 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-3.3% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 125

Central bank discount rate [time series]

5% (31 December 2010) | 5% (31 December 2009) | country comparison to the world: 76

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

13% (31 December 2014 est.) | 13% (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 58

Current account balance [time series]

-$132 million (2014 est.) | $2.366 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 46

Debt - external [time series]

$33.2 billion (30 June 2014 est.) | $28.26 billion (30 June 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 70

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

32.1 (2010) | 33.6 (1996) | country comparison to the world: 107

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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.

Exchange rates [time series]

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.)

Exports [time series]

$31.2 billion (2014 est.) | $28.62 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 65

Exports - commodities [time series]

garments, knitwear, agricultural products, frozen food (fish and seafood), jute and jute goods, leather

Exports - partners [time series]

US 14.3%, Germany 13.6%, UK 7.9%, France 5.2%, Spain 4.3%, Italy 4.1% (2014)

Fiscal year [time series]

1 July - 30 June

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$185.4 billion (2014 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$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

GDP - composition, by end use [time series]

GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]

agriculture: 15.1% | industry: 26.5% | services: 58.3% (2014 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$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

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

6.1% (2014 est.) | 6.1% (2013 est.) | 6.3% (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 29

Gross national saving [time series]

30% of GDP (2014 est.) | 30.4% of GDP (2013 est.) | 30.1% of GDP (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 30

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 4% | highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)

Imports [time series]

$38.5 billion (2014 est.) | $35 billion (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 64

Imports - commodities [time series]

cotton, machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, foodstuffs

Imports - partners [time series]

China 18.8%, India 14.8%, Singapore 5.8%, Malaysia 4.2% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

8.4% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 19

Industries [time series]

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

7% (2014 est.) | 7.5% (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 194

Labor force [time series]

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

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

agriculture: 47% | industry: 13% | services: 40% (2010 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$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

Population below poverty line [time series]

31.5% (2010 est.)

Public debt [time series]

28.6% of GDP (2014 est.) | 30.3% of GDP (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 131

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$21.46 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $18.09 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Stock of broad money [time series]

$98.43 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $84.11 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$166.9 million (31 December 2014 est.) | $162.9 million (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 89

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$8.625 billion (30 June 2014 est.) | $8.593 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$99.59 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $89.32 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$19.69 billion (31 December 2014 est.) | $16.54 billion (31 December 2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 68

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

9.7% of GDP (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 206

Unemployment rate [time series]

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

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

63.5 million Mt (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 54

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

Crude oil - imports [time series]

23,620 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 67

Crude oil - production [time series]

4,200 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 90

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

28 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 83

Electricity - consumption [time series]

37.88 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 108

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

97.7% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

2.3% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 137

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 49

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

0% of total installed capacity (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 159

Electricity - imports [time series]

0 kWh (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 121

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

10.26 million kW (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity - production [time series]

42.41 billion kWh (2011 est.) | country comparison to the world: 57

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

21.86 billion cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 35

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 62

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 160

Natural gas - production [time series]

21.86 billion cu m (2012 est.) | country comparison to the world: 31

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

264.6 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 42

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

118,700 bbl/day (2013 est.) | country comparison to the world: 73

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

3,288 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 97

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

84,490 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 55

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

22,710 bbl/day (2010 est.) | country comparison to the world: 91

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 148,460 sq km | land: 130,170 sq km | water: 18,290 sq km | country comparison to the world: 95

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Iowa

Climate [time series]

tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)

Coastline [time series]

580 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m | highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 35.87 cu km/yr (10%/2%/88%) | per capita: 238.3 cu m/yr (2008)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

24 00 N, 90 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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

Irrigated land [time series]

50,500 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 4,413 km | border countries (2): Burma 271 km, India 4,142 km

Land use [time series]

agricultural land: 70.1% | arable land 59%; permanent crops 6.5%; permanent pasture 4.6% | forest: 11.1% | other: 18.8% (2011 est.)

Location [time series]

Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India

Map references [time series]

Asia

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 12 nm | contiguous zone: 18 nm | exclusive economic zone: 200 nm | continental shelf: to the outer limits of the continental margin

Natural hazards [time series]

droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season

Natural resources [time series]

natural gas, arable land, timber, coal

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast

Total renewable water resources [time series]

1,227 cu km (2011)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

7 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet

Capital [time series]

name: Dhaka | geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E | time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution [time series]

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)

Country name [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

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

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

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

Executive branch [time series]

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

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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

Government type [time series]

parliamentary democracy

Independence [time series]

16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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

Judicial branch [time series]

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

Legal system [time series]

mixed legal system of mostly English common law and Islamic law

Legislative branch [time series]

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

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

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

National holiday [time series]

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

National symbol(s) [time series]

Bengal tiger, water lily; national colors: green, red

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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]

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

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

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 36,520,491 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 30,486,086 | females age 16-49: 35,616,093 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 1,606,963 | female: 1,689,442 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF) (2013)

Military expenditures [time series]

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

Military service age and obligation [time series]

16-19 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi birth and 10th grade education required; initial obligation 15 years (2012)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

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.)

Birth rate [time series]

21.14 births/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 76

Child labor - children ages 5-14 [time series]

total number: 4,485,497 | percentage: 13% (2006 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

35.1% (2013) | country comparison to the world: 5

Contraceptive prevalence rate [time series]

61.2% (2011)

Death rate [time series]

5.61 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 174

Dependency ratios [time series]

total dependency ratio: 52.2% | youth dependency ratio: 44.9% | elderly dependency ratio: 7.6% | potential support ratio: 13.2% (2015 est.)

Drinking water source [time series]

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

2.2% of GDP (2009) | country comparison to the world: 161

Ethnic groups [time series]

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.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.01% (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 130

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

700 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

8,900 (2014 est.) | country comparison to the world: 96

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

3.7% of GDP (2013) | country comparison to the world: 169

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

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

Languages [time series]

Bangla 98.8% (official, also known as Bengali), other 1.2% (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 70.94 years | male: 69.02 years | female: 72.94 years (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 151

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write | total population: 61.5% | male: 64.6% | female: 58.5% (2015 est.)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

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)

Major urban areas - population [time series]

DHAKA (capital) 17.598 million; Chittagong 4.539 million; Khulna 1.022 million; Rajshahi 844,000 (2015)

Median age [time series]

total: 24.7 years | male: 24.2 years | female: 25.1 years (2015 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Bangladeshi(s) | adjective: Bangladeshi

Net migration rate [time series]

0.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 72

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

3.3% (2014) | country comparison to the world: 190

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.36 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population [time series]

168,957,745 (July 2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 9

Population growth rate [time series]

1.6% (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 75

Religions [time series]

Muslim 89.5%, Hindu 9.6%, other 0.9% (includes Buddhist .5%, Christian .3%) (2004 est.)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 10 years | male: 10 years | female: 10 years (2011)

Sex ratio [time series]

Total fertility rate [time series]

2.4 children born/woman (2015 est.) | country comparison to the world: 82

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 9.3% | male: 8% | female: 13.6% (2005 est.) | country comparison to the world: 105

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 34.3% of total population (2015) | rate of urbanization: 3.55% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

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

Illicit drugs [time series]

transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 232,462 (Burma) (2014) | IDPs: at least 431,000 (violence, human rights violations, religious persecution, natural disasters) (2015)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

18 (2013) | country comparison to the world: 139

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

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)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 2 | 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 | 1 (2013)

Heliports [time series]

3 (2013)

Merchant marine [time series]

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

Pipelines [time series]

gas 2,950 km (2013)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

major seaport(s): Chittagong | river port(s): Mongla Port (Sela River) | container port(s): Chittagong (1,392,104) (2011)

Railways [time series]

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

Roadways [time series]

total: 21,269 km | paved: 1,063 km | unpaved: 20,206 km (2010) | country comparison to the world: 106

Transportation - note [time series]

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

Waterways [time series]

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