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BANGLADESH
Population

Population

Bangladesh WomenBangladesh WomenPhoto: Ashraf Siddiqui CC2.0 Generic no changes made

An estimated 158 million people live in Bangladesh (2017). Although one of the smallest countries in the region, Bangladesh is the ninth country in the world in terms of population. Birth control is of paramount importance to the government; around 1970 women had seven or more children, now that is around three children.

Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with approximately 1,069 inhabitants per km2. Most people live in ribbon-shaped towns along the river banks, the largest cities of which are Dhaka, Chittagong and Khulna.

The natural population growth is 1.04%. (2017)

Birth rate per 1000 inhabitants is 18.8 (2017)

Mortality rate per 1000 inhabitants is 5.4 (2017)

Life expectancy is 71.3 years for men and 75.6 years for women (2017)

Bangladesh has a very young population: about 28% of the population is less than 15 years old.

Bangladesh consists of approx. 98% Bangladeshis, who form an ethnic and language unit.

Minorities are Rohingyas, Muslim Biharis and Jummas from India, thirteen ethnic groups, of which the Chakmas and Santals are the most important.

Home of the Khasia tribe in Jaflong Sylhet, BangladeshHome of the Khasia tribe in Jaflong Sylhet, BangladeshPhoto: Shahnoor Habib Munmun CC 3.0 Unported no changes made

The tribal population of Bangladesh consists of approximately 1 million people. Most of the tribes live in the hilly north of Mymensingh, the Sylhet region and the wooded Chittagong Hill Tracts. Other tribes live in urbanized areas such as Chittagong and Cox's Bazar. The tribes of Mymensingh were originally nomads from Eastern India, those from the Chittagong Hill Tracts come from Myanmar (Burma).

Chakma, Mogh, Mru, Murung, Mizo, Kuki, Bam, Tripura, Sak, Tangchangya, Shandu, Banjugi and Pankhar live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

The Chakmas and the Mogh are the largest groups and belong to the Jummas, a collection of tribes who work the land according to the "slash and burn" principle.

The Sylhet region is home to the Kashias, Pangous and Manipuris. The Garos (or Mandi as they call themselves), Hanjongis, Hadis, Dahuis, Palais and Buna's live in northern Mymensingh, Haluaghat, Sreebardi, Kalkamanda and the Garo Hills.

Many workers on the tea plantations are from the Santal and Oraon tribes.

Other tribes such as the Kochis, Hus, Mundus and the Rajbansis live in urban areas in Rangpur, Dinajpur, Bogra, Rajshahi, Noakhali, Comilla and Bakerganj.


Sources

Beurden, J. van / Bangladesh : mensen, politiek, economie, cultuur, milieu
Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen

Brace, S. / Bangladesh
Thomson Learning

McAdam, M. / Bangladesh
Lonely Planet

Whyte, M. / Bangladesh
Marshall Cavendish

CIA - World Factbook

BBC - Country Profiles

Last updated February 2024
Copyright: Team The World of Info