2012 Edition

Background

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), won independence for Bangladesh in 1971, with India's assistance and after the death of at least 300,000 civilians. 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 alternated in 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.

Area

143,998 sq km 130,168 sq km 13,830 sq km

total

143,998 sq km

water

13,830 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Iowa

Climate

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

Coastline

580 km

Elevation extremes

Indian Ocean 0 m Keokradong 1,230 m

highest point

Keokradong 1,230 m

lowest point

Indian Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

79.4 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%) 560 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

560 cu m/yr (2000)

total

79.4 cu km/yr (3%/1%/96%)

Geographic coordinates

24 00 N, 90 00 E

Geography - note

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

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

Irrigated land

50,500 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

4,246 km Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km

border countries

Burma 193 km, India 4,053 km

total

4,246 km

Land use

55.39% 3.08% 41.53% (2005)

arable land

55.39%

other

41.53% (2005)

permanent crops

3.08%

Location

Southern Asia, bordering the Bay of Bengal, between Burma and India

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 18 nm 200 nm up to the outer limits of the continental margin

contiguous zone

18 nm

continental shelf

up to the outer limits of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

droughts; cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season

Natural resources

natural gas, arable land, timber, coal

Terrain

mostly flat alluvial plain; hilly in southeast

Total renewable water resources

1,210.6 cu km (1999)

Age structure

33.6% (male 27,489,425/ female 26,705,051) 61.6% (male 47,035,450/ female 52,164,097) 4.8% (male 3,763,528/ female 3,926,253) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

33.6% (male 27,489,425/ female 26,705,051)

15-64 years

61.6% (male 47,035,450/ female 52,164,097)

65 years and over

4.8% (male 3,763,528/ female 3,926,253) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

22.53 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

41.3% (2007)

Death rate

5.71 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

2.4% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Bengali 98%, other 2% (includes tribal groups, non-Bengali Muslims) (1998)

Health expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

less than 0.1% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 200 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

6,300 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.4 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

48.99 deaths/1,000 live births 51.48 deaths/1,000 live births 46.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

46.39 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

48.99 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English

Life expectancy at birth

70.06 years 68.21 years 71.98 years (2012 est.)

female

71.98 years (2012 est.)

total population

70.06 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 56.8% 61.3% 52.2% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

52.2% (2010 est.)

male

61.3%

total population

56.8%

Major cities - population

DHAKA (capital) 14.251 million; Chittagong 4.816 million; Khulna 1.636 million; Rajshahi 853,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever dengue fever and malaria are high risks in some locations leptospirosis rabies 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 (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies

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

Maternal mortality rate

240 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

23.6 years 23.1 years 24.1 years (2012 est.)

female

24.1 years (2012 est.)

male

23.1 years

total

23.6 years

Nationality

Bangladeshi(s) Bangladeshi

adjective

Bangladeshi

noun

Bangladeshi(s)

Net migration rate

-1.04 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.295 physicians/1,000 population (2007)

Population

161,083,804 (July 2012 est.)

Population growth rate

1.579% (2012 est.)

Religions

Muslim 89.5%, Hindu 9.6%, other 0.9% (2004)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 56% of population rural: 52% of population total: 53% of population urban: 44% of population rural: 48% of population total: 47% of population

rural

48% of population

total

47% of population

urban

44% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

8 years 8 years 8 years (2007)

female

8 years (2007)

male

8 years

total

8 years

Sex ratio

1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.9 male(s)/female 0.96 male(s)/female 0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.9 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.96 male(s)/female

at birth

1.04 male(s)/female

total population

0.95 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

2.55 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

9.3% 8% 13.6% (2006)

female

13.6% (2006)

total

9.3%

Urbanization

28% of total population (2010) 3.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.1% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

28% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

7 divisions; Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet

Capital

Dhaka 23 43 N, 90 24 E UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

23 43 N, 90 24 E

name

Dhaka

time difference

UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

enacted 4 November 1972; effective 16 December 1972; suspended following coup of 24 March 1982; restored 10 November 1986; amended many times

Country name

People's Republic of Bangladesh Bangladesh Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh Bangladesh East Bengal, East Pakistan

conventional long form

People's Republic of Bangladesh

conventional short form

Bangladesh

former

East Bengal, East Pakistan

local long form

Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh

local short form

Bangladesh

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Dan W. MOZENA Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212 G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000 [880] (2) 885-5500 [880] (2) 882-3744

chief of mission

Ambassador Dan W. MOZENA

embassy

Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212

FAX

[880] (2) 882-3744

mailing address

G. P. O. Box 323, Dhaka 1000

telephone

[880] (2) 885-5500

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Akramul QADER 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 244-0183 [1] (202) 244-7830/2771 Los Angeles, New York

chancery

3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Akramul QADER

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 244-7830/2771

telephone

[1] (202) 244-0183

Executive branch

President Zillur RAHMAN (since 12 February 2009) Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed (since 6 January 2009) Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 11 February 2009 (next must be held by 2014) Zillur RAHMAN declared president-elect by the Election Commission on 11 February 2009 (sworn in on 12 February); he ran unopposed as president

cabinet

Cabinet selected by the prime minister and appointed by the president

chief of state

President Zillur RAHMAN (since 12 February 2009)

election results

Zillur RAHMAN declared president-elect by the Election Commission on 11 February 2009 (sworn in on 12 February); he ran unopposed as president

elections

president elected by National Parliament for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last election held on 11 February 2009 (next must be held by 2014)

head of government

Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wajed (since 6 January 2009)

Flag description

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

Government type

parliamentary democracy

Independence

16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (the chief justices and other judges are appointed by the president)

Legal system

mixed legal system of mostly English common law and Islamic law

Legislative branch

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 last held on 29 December 2008; note - general elections must be held within 90 days of the expiration of the Parliament or by 24 January 2014 or earlier if Parliament is dissolved before its term expires 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

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

elections

last held on 29 December 2008; note - general elections must be held within 90 days of the expiration of the Parliament or by 24 January 2014 or earlier if Parliament is dissolved before its term expires

National anthem

"Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal) Rabindranath TAGORE adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem

lyrics/music

Rabindranath TAGORE

name

"Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal)

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

Bengal tiger

Political parties and leaders

Awami League or AL [Sheikh HASINA]; Communist Party of Bangladesh or CPB [Manjurul A. KHAN]; Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP [Khaleda ZIA]; Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh or BDB [Badrudozza CHOWDHURY]; Islami Oikya Jote or IOJ [multiple leaders]; Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh or JIB [Matiur Rahman NIZAMI]; Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) [Hussain Mohammad ERSHAD]; Liberal Democratic Party or LDP [Oli AHMED]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Advocacy to End Gender-based Violence through the MoWCA (Ministry of Women's and Children's Affairs); Ain o Salish Kendro (Law and Order Center); Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee or BRAC; Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity; Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry; Odikhar (Human Rights) 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

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds, spices, fruit; beef, milk, poultry

Budget

$13.98 billion $19.62 billion (2012 est.)

expenditures

$19.62 billion (2012 est.)

revenues

$13.98 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-4.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5% (31 December 2010 est.) 5% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.3% (31 December 2012 est.) 13.25% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$941.9 million (2012 est.) $243.6 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$36.21 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $33.84 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

33.2 (2005) 33.6 (1996)

Economy - overview

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.

Exchange rates

taka (BDT) per US dollar - 82.17 (2012 est.) 74.152 (2011 est.) 69.649 (2010 est.) 69.04 (2009) 68.554 (2008)

Exports

$25.79 billion (2012 est.) $24.56 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

garments, knitwear, agricultural products, frozen food (fish and seafood), jute and jute goods, leather

Exports - partners

US 19.4%, Germany 16.5%, UK 10%, France 7.3%, Italy 4.4%, Spain 4.2%, Netherlands 4.2% (2011)

Fiscal year

1 July - 30 June

GDP - composition by sector

17.3% 28.6% 54.1% (2012 est.)

agriculture

17.3%

industry

28.6%

services

54.1% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2012 est.) $1,900 (2011 est.) $1,800 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.1% (2012 est.) 6.5% (2011 est.) 6.4% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$118.7 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$305.5 billion (2012 est.) $288.1 billion (2011 est.) $270.5 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4% 27% (2010 est.)

highest 10%

27% (2010 est.)

lowest 10%

4%

Imports

$35.06 billion (2012 est.) $32.58 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, chemicals, iron and steel, textiles, foodstuffs, petroleum products, cement

Imports - partners

China 18.2%, India 13.5%, Malaysia 4.9% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

7.4% (2011 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.8% (2012 est.) 10.7% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

25.1% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

77 million 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

45% 30% 25% (2008)

agriculture

45%

industry

30%

services

25% (2008)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$23.55 billion (31 December 2011) $15.68 billion (31 December 2010) $7.068 billion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line

31.51% (2010 est.)

Public debt

32% of GDP (2012 est.) 33.9% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$10.19 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $9.192 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$66.84 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $66.14 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$93.9 million (31 December 2012 est.) $92.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$7.849 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $6.85 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$80.81 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $68.57 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$14.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $13.19 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

11.8% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

5% (2012 est.) 5% (2011 est.) about 40% of the population is underemployed; many participants in the labor force work only a few hours a week, at low wages

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

56.74 million Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

26,460 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

5,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

28 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

34.83 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

95.8% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

4% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.3% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

5.819 million kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

35.7 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

20.13 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

20.13 billion cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

183.7 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

108,900 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

2,928 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

77,340 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

24,790 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.bd

Internet hosts

71,164 (2012)

Internet users

617,300 (2009)

Telephone system

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 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 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)

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

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

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)

Telephones - main lines in use

977,700 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

84.369 million (2011)

Airports

18 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

2

total

16

under 914 m

4 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

total

2

under 914 m

1 (2012)

Heliports

3 (2012)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 25, cargo 28, chemical tanker 1, container 5, petroleum tanker 3 8 (China 1, Singapore 7) 10 (Comoros 1, Hong Kong 1, Panama 5, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1, Sierra Leone 1, Singapore 1) (2010)

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)

total

62

Pipelines

gas 2,714 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Chittagong, Mongla Port

Railways

2,622 km 946 km 1.676-m gauge 1,676 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

narrow gauge

1,676 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

total

2,622 km

Roadways

21,269 km 1,063 km 20,206 km (2010)

total

21,269 km

unpaved

20,206 km (2010)

Transportation - note

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial waters of Bangladesh remain a high risk for armed robbery against ships; attacks against vessels increased in 2010 for the second consecutive year; 23 commercial vessels were attacked both at anchor and while underway; crews were robbed and stores or cargoes stolen

Waterways

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)

Manpower available for military service

36,520,491 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

36,520,491 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

30,486,086 35,616,093 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

35,616,093 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

30,486,086

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

1,606,963 1,689,442 (2010 est.)

female

1,689,442 (2010 est.)

male

1,606,963

Military branches

Bangladesh Defense Force: Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF) (2010)

Bangladesh Defense Force

Bangladesh Army (Sena Bahini), Bangladesh Navy (Noh Bahini, BN), Bangladesh Air Force (Biman Bahini, BAF) (2010)

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

17-19 years of age for voluntary enlisted military service; Bangladeshi birth and 10th grade education required; intial obligation 15 years (2012)

Disputes - international

Bangladesh referred its maritime boundary claims with Burma and India to the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea; 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

Illicit drugs

transit country for illegal drugs produced in neighboring countries

Refugees and internally displaced persons

229,644 (Burma) (2011) undetermined (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2012)

IDPs

undetermined (land conflicts, religious persecution) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

229,644 (Burma) (2011)