Bangladesh

A young girl wearing a traditional hat.

The Secretary of State has announced a review of the DFID Bilateral Aid Programme. The information on this page reflects current activity and is not an indication of the direction or possible outcome of the review.

Straddling the Ganges/Brahmaputra delta, Bangladesh is one of the most low-lying and densely populated countries in the world. Almost 20 million of its people are extremely poor and vulnerable to natural disaster.

Bangladesh is striving to become a middle-income country with much reduced poverty. This is a challenge. By 2035, its population could reach 200 million, and the capital Dhaka, the second fastest-growing city in the world, is on track to be home to 50 million by 2050. And with climate change, it’s possible that 40% of the country will flood during the monsoon season, compared with 25% today.

Key facts

 Pie chart showing bilateral aid spend in Bangladesh (2009-10)

(Above) Pie chart showing UK bilateral aid spending in Bangladesh (2009/10)

Total UK bilateral aid received (09/10): £148.8 million
Aid by sector:
Growth: 28%
Education: 25%
Governance: 17%
Health: 15%
Other social services: 11%
Other: 3%
Humanitarian assistance: 1%

Find out more in Key facts: Bangladesh

How We Have Helped

Sowing the seeds of scuba rice

Sowing the seeds of scuba rice

How flood resistant rice is helping South Asian farmers feed their families when the floods come

MDGs in focus - MDG 4: Reduce child mortality

MDGs in focus - MDG 4: Reduce child mortality

How a slum community in Dhaka, Bangladesh has improved water and sanitation and reduced killer diseases

Bangladesh on DFID Bloggers

Many things are taken for granted in the developed world, but I think that clean water must be at the top of the list...

Adam Jackson

by Adam Jacksonopens in a new window
Economic Advisor, DFID Bangladesh