Bangladesh has a population of over 157 million.
The first people who inhabited the Bengal region 4000 years ago were the Tibeto-Burmans, Dravidians and Austroasians. Today the overwhelming majority of the country's population are Bengalis.
National composition:
- Bengalis (98%)
- other nations (bihari, santal, mogh, chakma).
Bihari, for the most part, concentrated in the regions of Dhaka and Narayangaja, chakma - in the valley of the Karnaphuli river, mogh - in Mountain Chittagong, garo and dalu - in the north of Maimansingh and Sylhet, tipra, mru, tanchaung, kami, bong - within Chittagong districts and Mountain Chittagong.
873 people live per 1 sq. Km, but the highest population density is typical for the suburban areas of Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna (1550 people live per 1 sq. Km), and the mountains are least populated (Mountain Chittagong district) - here by 1 sq. Km 78 people live.
The official language is Bengali, but English is actively used in educational institutions and business environment.
Major cities: Dhaka, Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, Narayanganj, Maimansingh.
The people of Bangladesh are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian.
Life span
On average, both the male and female population of the country live up to 68 years.
The relatively low rates are due to the fact that in Bangladesh very little funds are allocated for health care, poverty is widespread, and there is a shortage of doctors and nurses. Despite the fact that over the past 10 years, the country has managed to increase the average life expectancy (previously it reached only 61 years), to reduce maternal and child mortality by 70%, there are such problems as constant malnutrition and the spread of tuberculosis (due to poverty, the urban population is relocated to slums, where conditions are favorable for the spread of the disease).
Traditions and customs of the people of Bangladesh
Bengalis, who live mainly in villages, still obey pagan rituals and traditions. For example, to see an empty jug, a bird's carcass or a pussy willow branch on the road is an unfavorable sign for any undertakings (new business, travel).
If a boy is born, this is good luck for Bengalis, which cannot be said about the birth of a daughter, because she needs to collect a dowry and after the wedding she will become subordinate to her husband and his family, while the son will always help his parents.
Wedding traditions are interesting because young people are looking for a partner on their own, but this choice must be approved by the parents. Girls have the right to get married from 18, and guys from 21 (but if a guy does not work or does not earn enough money, his parents have the right not to give him permission to marry). As for the wedding ceremony, a priest or mufti must be present at it.
Going to Bangladesh? Since it is bad form to touch a stranger, you should not extend your hand when greeting women or children. Men, on the other hand, can shake hands, but only if they know each other well. Thanks to this tradition, you should not worry that local merchants will grab you by the elbow or the hem of your clothes, as they do in some neighboring countries.
If you are going to visit a resident of Bangladesh, take with you a small present in the form of souvenirs, sweets, fruits, tobacco (in no case donate money or alcohol).
