Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 1971, although at least 300,000 civilians died in the process. 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 have alternately held power since then, 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. With the help of international development assistance, Bangladesh has made great progress in food security since independence, and the economy has grown at an average of about 6 percent over the last two decades.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
24 00 N, 90 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Asia
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 143,998 sq km
country comparison to the world: 95
land: 130,168 sq km
water: 13,830 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly smaller than Iowa
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4,246 km
border countries: Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
580 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 18 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: up to the outer limits of the continental margin
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical; mild winter (October to March); hot, humid summer (March to June); humid, warm rainy monsoon (June to October)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: Keokradong 1,230 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
natural gas, arable land, timber, coal
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 52.97%
permanent crops: 6.25%
other: 40.78% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
50,500 sq km (2008)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,227 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 35.87 cu km/yr (10%/2%/88%)
per capita: 238.3 cu m/yr (2008)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Bangladeshi(s)
adjective: Bangladeshi
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bengali 98%, other 2% (includes tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims) (1998)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Muslim 89.5%, Hindu 9.6%, other 0.9% (2004)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
163,654,860 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 33% (male 27,393,912/female 26,601,199)
15-24 years: 18.8% (male 14,337,930/female 16,377,785)
25-54 years: 37.6% (male 29,091,046/female 32,455,670)
55-64 years: 5.7% (male 4,775,062/female 4,625,192)
65 years and over: 4.9% (male 3,918,341/female 4,078,723) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 53.3 %
youth dependency ratio: 46 %
elderly dependency ratio: 7.3 %
potential support ratio: 13.6 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 23.9 years
male: 23.4 years
female: 24.4 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.59% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.07 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.67 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.52 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 28.4% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 2.96% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
DHAKA (capital) 15.391 million; Chittagong 4.816 million; Khulna 1.636 million; Rajshahi 853,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.87 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.9 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.96 male(s)/female
total population: 0.95 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.1
note: Median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2011 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
240 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 48
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 47.3 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 45
male: 49.79 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 44.71 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 70.36 years
country comparison to the world: 150
male: 68.48 years
female: 72.31 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.5 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
61.2% (2011/12)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.7% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 174
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.36 physicians/1,000 population (2011)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.6 beds/1,000 population (2011)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
less than 0.1% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6,300 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 200 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.1% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 190
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
41.3% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 4
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 163
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 57.7%
male: 62%
female: 53.4% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8 years
male: 8 years
female: 8 years (2007)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 4,485,497
percentage: 13 % (2006 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9.3%
country comparison to the world: 112
male: 8%
female: 13.6% (2005)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
parliamentary democracy
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Dhaka
geographic coordinates: 23 43 N, 90 24 E
time difference: UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day; 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
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1935, 1956, 1962 (preindependence); latest enacted 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspendedMarch 1982, restored November 1986; amended many times, last in 2011 (2011)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of mostly English common law and Islamic law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 elected by the National Parliament and was sworn in 24 April 2013
head of government: Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA (since 6 January 2009)
cabinet: Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 29 April 2013 (next must be held by 2018)
election results: President Abdul HAMID was elected by the National Parliament unopposed
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Parliament or Jatiya Sangsad; 300 seats (45 reserved for women) elected by popular vote from single territorial constituencies; members serve five-year terms
elections: last held on 29 December 2008 (next to be held on 5 January 2014)
election results: percent of vote by party - AL 49%, BNP 33.2%, JP 7%, JIB 4.6%, other 6.2%; seats by party - AL 230, BNP 30, JP 27, JIB 2, other 11
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Advocacy to End Gender-based Violence through the MoWCA (Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs)
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; nongovernmental organizations focused on poverty, alleviation, and socioeconomic international trade; religious leaders; tribal groups and advocacy organizations; union leaders
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNMIT, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Akramul QADER (since 1 September 2009)
chancery: 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 244-0183
FAX: [1] (202) 244-7830/2771
consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Dan W. MOZENA (since 11 November 2011)
embassy: Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
mailing address: G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000
telephone: [880] (2) 885-5500
FAX: [880] (2) 882-3744
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bengal tiger
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
In real terms Bangladesh's economy has grown 5.8% per year since 1996 despite political instability, poor infrastructure, corruption, insufficient power supplies, and slow implementation of economic reforms. Bangladesh remains a poor, overpopulated, and inefficiently-governed nation. Although more than half of GDP is generated through the service sector, 45% of Bangladeshis are employed in the agriculture sector with rice as the single-most-important product. Bangladesh's growth was resilient during the 2008-09 global financial crisis and recession. Garment exports, totaling $12.3 billion in FY09 and remittances from overseas Bangladeshis, totaling $11 billion in FY10, accounted for almost 12% of GDP.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$302.8 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$121.3 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$2,000 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
27% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 75%
government consumption: 5.7%
investment in fixed capital: 25.4%
investment in inventories: 4.3%
exports of goods and services: 25%
imports of goods and services: -35.3%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 17.7%
industry: 28.5%
services: 53.9% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
jute, cotton, garments, paper, leather, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum products, tobacco, drugs and pharmaceuticals, ceramics, tea, salt, sugar, edible oils, soap and detergent, fabricated metal products, electricity and natural gas
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
77 million
country comparison to the world: 7
note: extensive export of labor to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, UAE, Oman, Qatar, and Malaysia; workers' remittances were $10.9 billion in FY09/10 (2012 est.)
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 45%
industry: 30%
services: 25% (2008)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
note: about 40% of the population is underemployed; many participants in the labor force work only a few hours a week, at low wages
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31.5% (2010 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 4%
highest 10%: 27% (2010 est.)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.2 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 98
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $14.03 billion
expenditures: $19.69 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 204
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-4.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 111
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 July - 30 June
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$14.85 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$66.84 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$79.32 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$23.55 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 66
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.754 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$24.92 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
garments, knitwear, agricultural products, frozen food (fish and seafood), jute and jute goods, leather
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 16.6%, Germany 13.4%, UK 8.6%, France 5.2% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$32.29 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 17.8%, India 13.8%, Malaysia 5%, Singapore 4.6%, South Korea 4.4% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$12.75 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$29.53 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$6.64 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$108.1 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 89
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
taka (BDT) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
40.08 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
38.89 billion kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.673 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 68
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
96% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 126
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.5% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 82
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,452 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 85
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23,620 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
28 million bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 82
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22,710 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
108,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,288 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
84,490 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.11 billion cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19.91 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
183.7 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 47
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
58.81 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
962,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 78
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
97.18 million (2011)
country comparison to the world: 15
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 50 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)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.bd
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
71,164 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 87
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
617,300 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 112
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 139
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 2,950 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,622 km
country comparison to the world: 64
broad gauge: 946 km 1.676-m gauge
narrow gauge: 1,676 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 21,269 km
country comparison to the world: 106
paved: 1,063 km
unpaved: 20,206 km (2010)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8,370 km (includes up to 3,060 km of main cargo routes; the network is reduced to 5,200 km in the dry season) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 17
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 62
country comparison to the world: 64
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)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Chittagong
river port(s): Mongla Port (Sela River)
container port(s): Chittagong (1,392,104) (2011)
Transportation - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16-19 years of age for voluntary military service; Bangladeshi birth and 10th grade education required; initial obligation 15 years (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 36,520,491 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 30,486,086
females age 16-49: 35,616,093 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 1,606,963
female: 1,689,442 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.4% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 106
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 230,674 (Burma) (2012)
IDPs: undetermined (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2012)