Bangladesh: Population, History, Economy, and Issues

Running head: BANGLADESH
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Bangladesh
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BANGLADESH 2
1.0. Background
1.1. Basic information
1.1.1. Population and Demographics
Bangladesh is a state in southern Asia and is situated on the Bay of Bengal and is
surrounded India on both sides although it has a small border with Burma. As per 2018
estimates, Bangladesh had a population of 159,453,001. Those aged between 25 and 54 form
40.07 percent of this population while those who are 65 years and over form 6.42 percent of the
population (Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), 2019). Approximately 98 percent of
population in this country is Bengalis, and the remaining portion is made up of Biharis and other
groups.
1.1.2. History and Languages
The official language is Bangla, also called Bengali. Before being named Bangladesh,
this country was referred to as East Pakistan. The animosity, as well as the need for greater
independence between the western and eastern wings of Pakistan culminated in Bengali
Independence Movement (Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), 2019). This movement got
support from India and managed to achieve independence in 1971.
The government encountered severe issues and was overthrown by the military in 1975.
This situation instigated a chain of military coups that culminated in military-supported regime
and successive formation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party in 1978. In 1981, the government
was also overthrown, resulting in establishment military-the supported regime until 1991 when
democratic elections were conducted. From this year, Bangladesh experienced democracy except

BANGLADESH 3
in 2007, when parliamentary elections were suspended by military-backed rule in an endeavor to
fight corruption and restructure the political system (Central Intelligence Agency (CIA),
2019). This country returned to democratic rule in 2008, and since then they have been
democratic elections.
1.2. Economic growth
1.2.1. GDP per capita
2008200920102011201220132014201520162017
0
200
400
600
800
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
2000
GDP per capita (constant 2010 US$)
Bangladesh
India
U.S Dollars (Thousand)
Figure 1: Source: The World Bank, 2019.
Real GDP per capita entails the GDP divided by the total population. Therefore, real
GDP per capita represents the output generated by every person in the economy. Changes in the
real GDP per capita depict fluctuations in economic performance as well as the living standards
of people. From the graph above, the real GDP per capita of Bangladesh has been rising since
2008. This scenario implies that this country is growing and also the living standards of citizens
are increasing. However, when compared to its neighbor, India, the GDP per capita in