Bangladesh

Researchers » Bangladesh

Bangladesh is the third most populous country in South Asia with its 154.7 million people (in 2014), and is the eighth most populous country on earth. At 144,000 square kilometers, more than 1000 people per square kilometer make it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.

Bangladesh borders Burma and India. It is predominantly low and flat, susceptible to flooding and vulnerable to natural disasters. The average elevation is only 4-5 meters above sea level. The Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers, along with over 200 smaller rivers, crisscross the country and make Bangladesh one large river delta. Nearly 70% of the country floods in heavy monsoons.

The 2014 GDP of Bangladesh was $116.4 billion, and the GNI per capita $840. The economy is historically based on agriculture, forestry, and fishing, but manufacturing has become increasingly important. Of these economic sectors, agriculture supports the largest number of people and manufacturing contributes most to GDP.

Many environmental issues in Bangladesh stem from its flood-prone topography and severe overpopulation. Examples include water pollution, contamination and water-borne diseases. Soil erosion and degradation, and deforestation also occur.

1

Ms. Afsana Haque
Department of Urban and Regional Planning, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET)

2

Mr. Atonu Rabbani
Department of Economics, University of Dhaka

3

Mr. Kazi Iqbal
Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS)

4

Mr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)

5

Mr. M. A. Monayem Miah
Agricultural Economics Division, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI)

6

Mr. M. Jahangir Alam
Department of Economics and Social Sciences (ESS) BRAC University

7

Mr. M. Zakir Hossain Khan
Transparency International Bangladesh

8

Mr. Mahfuz Kabir
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS)

9

Mr. Mainul Haq
Development Policy Group

10

Mr. Md. Ashraful Haque
Department of Public Administration, Jahangirnagar University

11

Mr. Md. Belal Uddin
Department of Forestry and Environmental Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

12

Mr. Md. Imran
Independent University

13

Mr. Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury
Department of Finance, University of Dhaka

14

Ms. Mehruna Islam Chowdhury
Jahangirnagar University

15

Mr. Mohammad Mahfuzur Rahman
Institute of Forestry and Environmental Sciences

16

Mr. Mohammed Ziaul Haider
Economics Discipline, Khulna University

17

Ms. Moshahida Sultana
University of Dhaka

18

Ms. Nasima T. Chowdhury
Economics Department, Gothenburg University

19

Mr. Sakib Mahmud
University of Wisconsin

20

Mr. Tanzir Ahmed Chowdhury
Eunomia Research & Consulting Ltd

21

Mr. Zulfiqar Ali
Research Associate