Capital of Bangladesh: Dhaka
The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka. Bangladesh sits in Asia, has a population of 171,186,372, and uses the BDT. Official languages include Bengali.
Quick facts
- Capital: Dhaka
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~171,186,372
- Area: 147,570 km²
- Population density: 1,160 people per km²
- Official language: Bengali
- Currency: BDT
- ISO code: BD
How big is Bangladesh?
By population, Bangladesh ranks 8th in the world, holding roughly 2.15% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 92nd.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Bangladesh has 1,160 people per square kilometre, which is about 20 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Bangladesh is the 5th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Bangladesh in population are Russia (144,713,314) and Mexico (127,504,125).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Nepal (147,181 km²) and Tajikistan (143,100 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Bengali is listed as an official language of Bangladesh alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Bangladesh uses the BDT, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
Bangladesh in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Bangladesh belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Bangladesh and a page on the flag of Bangladesh.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Bangladesh?
The capital of Bangladesh is Dhaka.
What is the population of Bangladesh?
About 171,186,372, making it the 8th most populous country in the world.
How big is Bangladesh?
147,570 square kilometres, ranking 92nd by land area, at a density of 1,160 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Bangladesh use?
The BDT, which no other country uses.