BANGLADESH OVERVIEW

(Download Bangladesh overview as a PDF)

 

BASIC STATISTICS

• Total population: 131,269,860 (Ranked 8^th in the world by the US Census Bureau).

National GDP: US $187 billion (1999 est.). GDP per capita: US $1,470 (1999 est.). Median Age: 20.7 years old. Infant Mortality: 67.13 per 1,000 people.

 

GEOGRAPHY

• Location: South Asia bordering the Bay of Bengal.

Borders: India and Myanmar. Area: 55,600 square miles. Topography: Majority of the land is a flat alluvial plain, where in the north and southeast one can find hills. Climate: Tropical climate with 3 seasons: the rainy from June to October, the dry from October to March and the summer from March to June. One of the rainiest climates in the world. Capital: Dhaka. Major cities and population: Dhaka, 12,317,000; Chittagong, 3,581,000; and Khulna, 1,426,000. 5 administrative divisions: Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, and Rajshahi.

 

DEMOGRAPHY

• Population density: 2,324 people per square mile.

Children 0-14: 35%—46,001,613. Teenage 10-19: 27.1%—35,564,600. Youth between 15-24: 23.4%—30,702,658. Seniors Over 70: 2%—2,608,619. Male to female ratio: 105.4 males per 100 females. Birth rate: 25.44 births per 1,000 people. Life expectancy at birth: 61.17 for males and 61.1 for females. Infant mortality rate: 67.13 per 1,000 people. Official language: Bangla. Principal language: English. Ethnic Groups: Bengali, Bihari, and other tribal groups. Religious group representation: 85.8% (110,848,684) and 12.4% (15,994,593). The following groups represent less than one percent of the total: Christians, Buddhists, Ethno-religionists, and Nonreligious. Education: Free and compulsory from 6-11. Literacy rate: 38%.

 

ECONOMY

• Currency: Taka.

GDP per capita: US $1,470 (1999 est.). National GDP: US $187 billion (1999 est.). Major Industries: Food processing, jute, textiles, fertilizers, steel. Chief crops: Jute, rice, tea. Electricity production: 11.870 bil kWh (1998). TV Sets: 5 per 1,000 people. Radios: 63 per 1,000 people. Telephones: 378,000 mainlines. Daily newspaper circulation: 9 per 1,000 people.

 

POLITICS

• Government type: Parlimentary democracy.

Head of state: President Shahabuddin Ahmed. Head of government: Prime Minister Hasina Wazed. International organization memberships: United Nations (UN) and the Commonwealth. Historical Background: Prior to Muslim invasion of the 12th century, the area was primarily Hindu. British rule lasted from the 18^th century until 1947, when East Bengal was annexed by Pakistan. The East declared itself independent from Pakistan in 1971, after Pakistani troops attacked to subdue anti-Pakistan protests. This marks the beginning of the Bangladesh nation. During the civil war, at least 1 million people perished and 10 million fled to India. Pakistan surrendered on December 16,1971. In world politics, Bangladesh sought India and the Soviet Union as allies instead of the United States, because it had allied itself with Pakistan. After a time of instability and political coups, General H.M. Ershad declared Bangladesh an Islamic republic in March of 1982. After a tumultuous eight-year rule of his military regime, he resigned in 1990. He was subsequently imprisoned on charges of corruption and possession of illegal weapons. In 1991, Begum Khaleda Zia was elected prime minister, and a parliamentary form of government was adopted. The 1996 election riddled with protests eventually caused the resignation of Zia. In subsequent elections, power shifted to the Awami League and the Jatiya Party. Zia’s political opponent, Sheik Hasina Wajed, was named prime minister. The new government is faced with a country devastated by natural disasters and economic depression. In 1991, a cyclone killed over 131,000 people. Another in 1997 left 800,000 people homeless. In 1998, floods covered most of the country, killing over 1,400 and stranding over 30 million. In addition, the decline of the world’s demand for jute has devastated an industry, which had employed large percentages of the population.

 

TRENDS AND SOCIAL ISSUES

Understanding the trends and social issues of a particular country should always take into consideration the opinions of persons within the country. The Center for Youth Studies is looking for contributors from each country to add to our appreciation and understanding of its culture, potential, trends and critical issues. If you have insight as to what is important to Bangladesh, please contact us.

We look forward to hearing the insights on what insiders consider the most important issues facing them. From an outsider’s perspective current issues would include rebuilding after the devastation of the floods, economic rejuvenation, and government stability. What are the most important issues for Bangladeshis today? This will be added as we receive this information.

 

SOURCES

ARTICLES

 

Barrett, D., Kurian, G., & Johnson, T. (2001). World Christian Encyclopedia 2^nd Edition: A Comparative Survey of Churches and Religions in the Modern World. Oxford: University Press.

 

McGeveran, Jr., W. (Ed.). (2001). The World Almanac and Book of Facts. Mahwah, NJ: World Almanac Books.

 

Turner, B. (2000). The World Today: Essential Facts in an Ever Changing World 2000. New York, NY: St. Marten’s Press.

WEB

"Bangladesh," Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001  © 1997-2001 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

US Census Bureau, International Database.

US Central Intelligence Agency. World Factbook.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. How important do you see Bangladesh’s role in Asia and in the world?
2. What most impresses you about the above information?
3. Do you take issue with any of the above? If so, how would you express it differently?
4. What strikes you most about the population density of Bangladesh? Why?
5. What do you see as the historical and cultural contributions of Bangladesh to the world?
6. How has Bangladesh recovered from the recent flood damage?
7. What can we learn from Bangladesh and the Bangladeshi people?