Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a densely populated South Asian nation located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent, bordered by India and Myanmar. The country is characterized by its low-lying deltaic landscape, formed by the confluence of major rivers like...
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With a safety index of 39/100, Bangladesh offers below average safety conditions for expats and their families.
Bangladesh requires most international travelers, including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, to obtain a visa prior to arrival or use the visa on arrival (VOA) program at major airports, land ports, and sea ports. There is no visa-free entry for these nationalities; however, VOA is available for tourism, business, or short visits up to 30 days single-entry, extendable once for another 30 days at the Department of Immigration in Dhaka. Eligible travelers must present a...
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52% below EU avg
41% below EU avg
53% below EU avg
49% below EU avg
Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.
Capital
Dhaka
Timezone
UTC+06:00
Area
147,570 km²
Population
164,689,383
Bangladesh shows a purchasing power index of 36/100, indicating below average economic conditions for expats.
GDP
$460.20B
HDI
0.7
Quality of Life
32/100
-11 vs NYC
Purchasing Power
15/100
-27 vs NYC
Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Bangladesh. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.
Cost of Living Index
Very affordable with CPI of 22.8. Groceries index at 27.0 and restaurant prices at 17.0 are among the lowest globally, making Bangladesh extremely budget-friendly for residents.
Housing Market
Property prices average 14.4 years of household income, indicating very expensive housing relative to local incomes. Rent index of 2.5 offers some relief but overall market remains challenging.
Average Income Levels
Purchasing power index of 35.3 indicates very low income levels. Per capita GNI of $2,824 reflects limited earning capacity compared to developed nations, though recent GDP growth of 4.9% shows improvement.
Tax System
Progressive income tax system with rates up to 30%. Tax collection remains low at 7.7% of GDP. System lacks clarity for foreign investors, though recent reforms aim to improve compliance and transparency.
Business Environment
Growing economy with 4.9% GDP growth and vibrant private sector contributing 80% of GDP. Infrastructure investments and digital economy expansion improving conditions, though bureaucratic processes remain challenging for startups.
Social Security
Limited social safety net with unemployment at 3.5% and basic healthcare access. Recent inflation spike to 10.87% and currency devaluation of 43% since 2021 strain social programs and household finances significantly.
Bangladesh features a tropical monsoon climate with high temperatures, extreme humidity, and heavy seasonal rainfall, making it predominantly Aw (tropical savanna with dry winter) in the south and Cwa (humid subtropical with dry winter) in the north. About 80% of rain falls during the June-September monsoon, driven by the Bay of Bengal and Himalayan foothills.
3 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details
Read full guideLife Expectancy
74.0
Population
164,689,383
Religions
Currently under research
Ethnic Composition
Research in Progress
We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Bangladesh. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!
We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.
Bangladesh is governed by an interim administration led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus since August 2024, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid mass protests. Key reforms under the July Charter aim to establish a bicameral legislature and limit executive power ahead of national elections scheduled for February 2026. Political tensions persist among major parties including BNP, Awami League, and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Your Bangladesh Roadmap
40+ page relocation analysis tailored to your profile.
- Custom Tax & Cost Projection
- District Matching for your Lifestyle
- Vetted Local Partner Directory
Population
164,689,383
Currency
BDT
Timezone
UTC+06:00
Calling Code
+880
Week starts on
Sunday
Gini Coefficient
32.4 (2016)
Traffic side
left side
Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.
All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.