Bangladesh

World Book Index

Introduction

Background
The huge delta region at the confluence of the Ganges and Brahmaputra River systems - now referred to as Bangladesh - was a loosely incorporated outpost of various empires for much of the first millennium A.D. The Bengali independence movement, led by the Awami League (AL) and supported by India, won independence for Bangladesh in 1971.

Geography

Area
total : 148,460 sq km
land: 130,170 sq km
water: 18,290 sq km

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

Natural resources
natural gas, arable land, timber, coal

People and Society

Population
total: 168,697,184 (2024 est.)

Ethnic groups
Bengali at least 99%, other indigenous ethnic groups 1% (2022 est.)

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

Religions
Muslim 91%, Hindu 8%, other 1% (2022 est.)

Population growth rate
0.89% (2024 est.)

Government

Government type
parliamentary republic

Capital
name: Dhaka

Executive branch
chief of state: President Mohammad SHAHABUDDIN Chuppi (since 24 April 2023)
head of government: Interim Prime Minister Muhammad YUNUS (since 8 August 2024)

Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful ISLAM (since 5 September 2025)

Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d’Affaires Ambassador Tracey Ann JACOBSEN (since 11 January 2025)

Economy

Economic overview
one of the fastest growing emerging market economies; strong economic rebound following COVID-19; significant poverty reduction; exports dominated by textile industry; weakened exports and remittances resulted in declining foreign exchange reserves and 2022 IMF loan request

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.473 trillion (2024 est.)
$1.413 trillion (2023 est.)
$1.336 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$8,500 (2024 est.)
$8,200 (2023 est.)
$7,900 (2022 est.)

Exports
$53.848 billion (2024 est.)
$58.885 billion (2023 est.)
$60.066 billion (2022 est.)

Exports - partners
USA 16%, Germany 15%, UK 8%, Spain 7%, Poland 6% (2023)

Exports - commodities
garments, footwear, fabric, textiles, trunks and cases (2023)

Imports
$74.96 billion (2024 est.)
$73.172 billion (2023 est.)
$93.635 billion (2022 est.)

Imports - partners
China 34%, India 17%, Indonesia 5%, Singapore 5%, Malaysia 4% (2023)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, cotton fabric, natural gas, cotton, fabric (2023)

Human Development Index

The country's Human Development Index (HDI) is 0.685, ranking it 130th out of 193 countries tested. (more information)

World Happiness Report

The World Happiness Report ranked the country 138th out of 158 countries tested with a score of 3.886. (more information)