With a population of about 130 million people, Bangladesh is the second largest country in South Asia. Population density here is among the highest in the world, though it is not uniform across the country. As in other countries of South Asia region, the most developed regions are the most densely populated one.
In Dhaka and Chittagong, for instance, the population density is 4000 persons per square mile. Chittagong Hill Tract region is sparsely populated, because it is rugged and underdeveloped. About 80 per cent of the population lives in rural areas.
Urbanization has been slow in Bangladesh, though Dhaka, the national capital and the principal seat of culture and Chittagong, the principal sea port and an industrial centre, have registered a high rate of population growth. Other towns with a large urban population are Narayangunj, Khulna, Barisal, Saidpur, Rajshahi, Mymensingh and Comilla.
The rate of population growth in Bangladesh is obviously very high. According to estimates, it was nearly three per cent per annum at the time of its independence. Today it is little above two per cent per annum. At this rate of growth, Bangladesh is by all estimates caught in a vicious cycle of population expansion and poverty. Improving the standard of living very much depends upon control of population growth.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Even political stability depends upon reducing the gap between access to resources and availability of resources. Successive governments have therefore framed policies to induce people to have small families. Foreign and international organizations, including the United Nations are providing assistance to popularize family planning methods.
However, because of high infant mortality rates as well as the perceived social security function of children, that is, their role in serving and supporting the old aged, small family norm has not gained currency.