Bangladesh: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Bangladesh — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
161,356,039
#8 of 197 countries
Area
148,460 km²
#95 of 248 countries
Density
1086.9 / km²
#12 of 245 countries

Bangladesh has a population of 161,356,039 spread across 148,460 km², giving it an average density of 1086.9 people per km². It ranks among the 20 most populous countries in the world. This is a densely populated country where urban areas dominate the landscape.

Demographics

Median Age
27.8
Life Expectancy
75.2 yrs
Literacy Rate
79.0%
Government
parliamentary republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Bangladesh is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 28% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$2,551
Cost of Living
28% of US
Inflation
9.9%
Inequality
33.4
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$8,500
Unemployment
4.7%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 0.6% of Bangladesh's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$217,899,993
Tourism % of Exports
0.6%
Air Passengers
6,628,497
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Bangladesh has 0.72 physicians per 1,000 people, below the global average. Good travel insurance with medical coverage is advisable.

Physicians
0.72/1k
Hospital Beds
0.92/1k
Health Spend
$53/person
Infant Mortality
24.4/1k
Immunization
96%
Safe Drinking Water
98.8%
Basic Sanitation
67.6%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Bangladesh, 45% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 114 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
44.5%
Mobile Subs
114/100
Broadband
7.9/100
Electricity Access
99.5%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data