Why is Bangladesh's Population Booming?
Summary
TLDRBangladesh, a small country with a population of about 163 million, is one of the world's most densely populated countries. Despite its size, it has more people than Russia. The population boom began in the 1970s due to high fertility rates driven by poverty, cultural values, and agricultural needs. Over 90% of the population are Muslim, with large families being treasured. The fertile Ganges Delta also contributed to this growth. Today, Bangladesh is a South Asian success story, with a thriving garment industry, rising literacy rates, and increasing foreign investment, showcasing the nation's resilience and resourcefulness.
Takeaways
- 🌊 Bangladesh is home to the world's largest delta, the Ganges Delta.
- 🐅 The country is known for its famous Bengali tigers.
- 👗 Bangladesh is the world's second largest garment exporter.
- 🌍 Despite its small size, Bangladesh has a large population of around 163 million people.
- 🏞️ The land area of Bangladesh is 148,000 km², which is smaller than Tunisia and slightly smaller than the state of Iowa.
- 📈 Bangladesh has a very high population density with about 1,200 people per square kilometer, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
- 📜 Bangladesh gained independence from Pakistan in 1971 and was previously known as East Pakistan.
- 🌾 Agriculture, particularly in the fertile Ganges Delta, has historically been a major part of Bangladesh's economy, necessitating large families for labor.
- 🕌 Over 90% of Bangladesh's population is Muslim, and cultural values place a high importance on large families.
- 👨👩👧👦 The country's population growth was influenced by economic needs, cultural values, and agricultural demands, leading to a steady increase from the 1970s to the 1990s.
- 💪 Since independence, Bangladesh has made significant economic progress, reducing poverty and increasing income per capita.
- 🏙️ Urbanization has been on the rise in Bangladesh, yet cultural and religious influences still play a significant role in population growth.
- 📚 Bangladesh has a literacy rate of 74% among adults, with an annual growth rate of around 6%, indicating a focus on education.
- 💼 The garment industry is the most important export sector in Bangladesh, attracting foreign investment and driving economic growth.
Q & A
What is the size of Bangladesh's land area?
-Bangladesh's land area is 148,000 km².
How does the population of Bangladesh compare to that of Russia?
-Bangladesh has a population of about 163 million people, which is more than Russia's population, even though Russia is the world's largest country by land area.
What is the population density of Bangladesh?
-Bangladesh has a population density of around 1,200 people per square kilometer, making it one of the world’s most densely populated countries.
When did Bangladesh gain independence and from whom?
-Bangladesh gained independence in 1971 from Pakistan, after a battle for independence supported by Indian troops.
What percentage of Bangladesh's population is Muslim?
-Over 90% of Bangladesh's population is Muslim.
What are some reasons behind the high fertility rates in Bangladesh?
-High fertility rates in Bangladesh are influenced by poverty, cultural values that treasure large families, and practical needs for labor in agriculture.
How has the fertility rate in Bangladesh changed over time?
-The fertility rate in Bangladesh has gradually slowed down over recent years. At its peak in the 1980s, the average number of births per woman was 5 to 6 children.
Why is the Ganges Delta significant for Bangladesh's population?
-The Ganges Delta is one of the world’s most fertile regions, attracting people for its agricultural opportunities. This has contributed to the population growth in Bangladesh.
What economic shift has Bangladesh experienced in recent years?
-Bangladesh has seen a shift from being heavily dependent on agriculture to becoming a major player in the garment industry, which is now its most important export.
How has Bangladesh's poverty rate changed since its independence?
-Since independence, Bangladesh has reduced its poverty rate from over 90% in 1971 to now having a higher income per capita than Pakistan, with a significant portion of the population no longer living in poverty.
What is the literacy rate in Bangladesh?
-The literacy rate in Bangladesh is 74% among adults, with an annual growth rate of around 6%.
How does the cultural value of family impact population growth in Bangladesh?
-In Muslim culture, which dominates Bangladesh, the family is central, and large families are valued. Children are seen as a joy, asset, and future caregivers, encouraging higher birth rates.
What historical and cultural factors contributed to the rapid population growth in Bangladesh post-independence?
-Post-independence, economic struggles, high fertility rates due to poverty, cultural values, and the need for agricultural labor contributed to the rapid population growth.
Outlines
🌏 Geographic and Cultural Overview of Bangladesh
This paragraph introduces Bangladesh, highlighting its geographical features like the Ganges Delta and its cultural aspects such as the Bengali tigers. It also touches on the country's status as the world's second-largest garment exporter. The focus then shifts to the country's population, emphasizing its high density and comparing it with other countries like Russia and India. The paragraph sets the stage for understanding the factors that contribute to Bangladesh's large and dense population.
📈 Historical and Cultural Factors Driving Population Growth
This paragraph delves into the historical background of Bangladesh, starting from its time as East Pakistan and the struggle for independence in 1971. It discusses the initial economic struggles and the surge in population growth due to poverty and lack of family planning. The cultural influence of Islam is explored, explaining how large families are valued in Muslim culture, which contributes to the high fertility rates. The paragraph also mentions the practical benefits of having many children in terms of labor and old-age support, which has sustained the population growth over the decades.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Ganges Delta
💡Bengali Tigers
💡Garment Exporter
💡Population Density
💡East Pakistan
💡1971 Independence
💡Fertility Rate
💡Muslim Culture
💡Agriculture
💡Urbanization
💡Economic Growth
Highlights
Bangladesh is the world’s second biggest garment exporter.
The population of Bangladesh is about 163 million people, making it more populous than Russia.
Bangladesh has one of the world’s highest population densities, with around 1,200 people per square kilometer.
In 1971, East Pakistan won its independence from Pakistan and became Bangladesh.
The early 1970s saw economic struggles in Bangladesh, leading to a surge in population growth due to high fertility rates.
Over 90% of Bangladesh's population are Muslim, influencing the country's high fertility rates and large family sizes.
In the 1980s, the average number of births per woman in Bangladesh was 5 to 6 children.
The Ganges Delta is one of the world’s most fertile regions, attracting people for its agricultural opportunities.
Agriculture was the backbone of Bangladesh's economy in the 1970s, requiring large families for labor.
From the early 1970s to the early 1990s, Bangladesh's population grew at a steady rate of about 2% per year.
Bangladesh has transitioned from over 90% of its population living in poverty in 1971 to a higher income per capita than Pakistan.
Bangladesh's income per capita has risen to $2,000 USD, compared to Pakistan’s $1,190 USD.
While many Bangladeshis are still employed in agriculture, the garment industry is the most important export sector.
Bangladesh has a literacy rate of 74% with an annual growth rate of around 6%.
The nation’s large population has been a key factor in boosting its economic performance and attracting foreign investment.
Transcripts
Bangladesh. You may think of the Ganges Delta, the world’s largest. Maybe the famous Bengali
tigers that roam throughout the countryside. Or you might even know Bangladesh as the world’s
second biggest garment exporter. How about population? Being in South Asia
you probably assume Bangladesh has a large population, even though it is a small country.
And you’d be right. But first, let’s look at how big Bangladesh
is. The land area is 148,000 km². That’s smaller than Tunisia, which is 163,000 km².
It’s slightly smaller than the state of Iowa.
Here come the big numbers – the Bangladesh population is about 163 million people. That’s
seriously huge. And here’s the thing – there are more people living in Bangladesh than
Russia. Yes Russia, the world’s biggest country,
at 17 million km² has less people than Bangladesh. Which means an incredibly high population
density. Bangladesh is one of the world’s most densely populated countries with around
1,200 people per square kilometer. This is almost three times as dense as its neighbour,
India. Pretty amazing. So how did it get to this?
The best way to fully understand how so many people live in Bangladesh is to take a tour
of the country. To start, we have to go back in time. To 1971,
to be precise. Bangladesh used to be known as East Pakistan.
Although the region shared the same religion as Pakistan, it was culturally different.
They were Bengali people and felt they were often discriminated against.
In 1971 East Pakistan won a battle for independence from Pakistan, with the help of Indian troops.
They were jubilant and renamed the new country Bangladesh. Initially, the new nation faced
economic struggles and in the early 1970s many people were struggling to make ends meet.
This led to the first surge in population growth. Poverty can lead to high fertility
rates as many people may not have access to family planning information. Conversely, many
families want to have large numbers of children in the hope they can find work and contribute
to their family. If you’re living under the poverty line,
more children can earn more money. So – more procreation. Children are also seen as future
carers for their parents and grandparents.
At this stage Bangladesh’s population was about 65 million. It was to grow rapidly.
Time to delve deeper into Bangladesh for more answers. If you look around, it doesn’t
take long to realize there is a significant Muslim population. Very significant in fact.
Over 90% of the population are Muslim. The cultural implications are important and can
give us an even greater insight as to why Bangladesh has such a mighty population.
The family is the center of everything in Muslim culture. And at the center of the family
is the mother, or the child bearer. Children are sacred and so large families are treasured.
Three to four children is to be expected. A large family is seen as healthy and vibrant.
In fact it is said that “wives are a place of sowing of seed for you, so come to your
place of cultivation”. In Bangladesh this has certainly held true.
It is thought that having large numbers of children not only represents a healthy family
but in a practical sense they can also provide old-age support, honour and prestige.
While the fertility rate has gradually slowed down over recent years, Bangladesh Muslims
have never felt the restrictions of strict limits to children per family. Because children
are seen as a joy and an asset, the number of large families in Bangladesh remained consistent
throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s. At its peak in the 1980s, the average number
of births per woman in Bangladesh was 5 to 6 children.
However it isn’t just the influence of Muslim culture that led to such a boom. In order
to fully understand the reasons behind the large Bangladesh population we have to go
south. Let’s head to the Ganges Delta, the world’s
largest river delta. The Ganges Delta is shared by Bangladesh and
the Indian state of Bengal. Around 135 million people live on the Delta and at least 300
million are dependent on it for agriculture. This gives us another hint as to why Bangladesh’s
population boomed. Historically, delta regions have always drawn people from less fertile
areas for the farming and agricultural opportunities. The Ganges Delta is one of the world’s most
fertile regions. From the 1970s, the bulk of the Bangladesh
economy was based around agriculture, with cereal, rice and livestock being the major
sources of industry. To make a living from farming and agriculture,
a healthy labor supply is critical. And it is here that we can see yet another
crucial factor behind the Bangladesh population size. To make a living from farming you need
as many hands as possible. This translates to as many children as possible. A family
of six or seven can produce a lot more than a family of four. Plus, agricultural work
is tough. There are fields to plow, crops to plant,
crops to maintain, livestock to feed, livestock to look after. As soon as they’re able,
children are put to work – whether it be digging, ploughing, picking or planting.
In the 1970s and 1980s, Bangladesh was highly dependent on agricultural exports and income.
Families on the Delta needed plenty of children not just for labor but to then support their
parents in old age. Extra children were also encouraged in case
of disease or illness which can have an effect on family numbers. The pattern was repeated
from generation to generation. If we couple this very real need for children
with a Muslim belief that large families are invaluable then we can start to understand
the patterns leading to Bangladesh’s population size.
Initial spurt due to survival reasons and then sustained, regular growth based on cultural
values and economic needs. From the early 1970s until the early 1990s
the Bangladesh population grew at a steady rate of about 2% per year. Interestingly,
this was roughly the same rate as the urbanization of Bangladesh.
As more and more people flocked to the cities, the population continued to rise at the same
rate. This suggests that religious and cultural factors have been more of an influence than
the those relating to the support of an agricultural economy.
As you might expect from a country that had to fight for its independence, Bangladesh
has become something of a South Asian success story. It has used its healthy population
to boost economic performance and is continuing to grow.
Bangladesh has gone from over 90% of people living in poverty in 1971 to now boasting
a higher income per capita than old rival Pakistan. Bangladesh has now risen to $2,000
USD compared to Pakistan’s 1190 USD. While a large portion of the population are
still heavily employed in agriculture, an equally large number of urbanized Bangladeshis
are contributing to the massive garment industry, which is easily the most important export
in the country. Bangladesh continues to attract foreign investment
and is focusing on more technical industries. A large population can be a good thing, especially
if literate. 74% of adults are literate with an annual growth rate of around 6%.
Bangladesh is a relatively young nation and has shown incredible resourcefulness and tenacity.
The future can only get brighter. A nation’s population is truly its most
valuable resource.
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