Bangladesh Urban Population
Urban population as % of total SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS
Bangladesh's urban population was 32.97% in 2025, ranked 187th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's urban population stood at 32.97% in 2025, a rise of +0.29% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 32.97% by 2025. Bangladesh ranked 187th globally.
Bangladesh’s urban population share has risen from a trough of 5.11 percent in 1960 to an all‑time peak of 32.97 percent in 2025, placing the country at rank 187 globally out of 239 economies. This 66‑year trajectory reflects sustained rural‑to‑urban migration driven by industrialisation, infrastructure expansion and demographic pressure in the countryside. The latest figure of 32.97 percent is marginally higher than Madagascar’s 32.85 percent and slightly below the Channel Islands’ 32.69 percent, underscoring Bangladesh’s position among the higher‑ranking developing nations in terms of urbanisation. The rapid increase has strained city services, prompting policy focus on affordable housing, public transport and urban planning. Continued investment in secondary cities and balanced regional development could moderate the pace of urban growth, while persistent economic pull factors are likely to keep the urban share on an upward path over the next decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Urban Population | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 33.75% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 33.36% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 32.97% | - | - |
| 2025 | 32.97% | +0.29% | #187 |
| 2024 | 32.68% | +0.52% | #29 |
| 2023 | 32.16% | +0.48% | #29 |
| 2022 | 31.67% | +0.27% | #29 |
| 2021 | 31.40% | +0.28% | #28 |
| 2020 | 31.12% | +0.29% | #27 |
| 2019 | 30.82% | +0.31% | #27 |
| 2018 | 30.52% | +0.32% | #27 |
| 2017 | 30.20% | +0.33% | #27 |
| 2016 | 29.88% | +0.34% | #27 |
| 2015 | 29.54% | +0.35% | #26 |
| 2014 | 29.19% | +0.35% | #26 |
| 2013 | 28.84% | +0.36% | #26 |
| 2012 | 28.48% | +0.37% | #26 |
| 2011 | 28.11% | +0.38% | #25 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw urban population improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh's urban population was 32.97% in 2025. Ranked 187th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from the previous year.
Bangladesh's urban population peaked at 32.97% in 2025.
The lowest urban population in Bangladesh was 5.11% in 1960.
Bangladesh ranks 187th globally in urban population as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bangladesh's urban population is projected to reach 32.97% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The urban population of Bangladesh in 2025 was 32.97%. This ranks 187th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_urban-population,
title = {Bangladesh Urban Population},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/urban-population/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}