Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is one of the world’s most populous megacities. The scale of its population is a defining characteristic of the urban center. Recent estimates place the population of the wider Dhaka metropolitan area at over 23.9 million people, establishing it as a significant hub of human activity.
Population Growth and Density
Dhaka’s population is characterized by rapid growth and high density. The number of residents expanded in recent decades, doubling from 6 million to 12 million between 1990 and 2005. This expansion is a result of an average growth rate of around 3% annually, with much of the increase coming from people moving into the city.
This growth is reflected in its population density, which is among the highest globally. Within the city’s core, some estimates are as high as 79,667 people per square kilometer. The city’s physical expansion is also limited by surrounding rivers, which forces growth to occur within the existing urban footprint and further concentrates the population.
Primary Drivers of Migration to Dhaka
The primary engine behind Dhaka’s population is rural-to-urban migration. For decades, up to 60% of the city’s growth has been attributed to people moving from the countryside. This migration is fueled by factors that push people from their rural homes and pull them toward the opportunities the city represents.
Economic prospects are the most significant pull factor. Dhaka is the economic heart of Bangladesh, hosting many of the nation’s jobs, particularly in the ready-made garment industry. This sector, along with construction and services, attracts workers seeking employment they cannot find in rural areas. Better educational institutions and more accessible healthcare also act as a powerful incentive for relocation.
Conditions in rural areas also compel people to leave. Rural poverty and a lack of diverse employment options make subsistence difficult. Environmental pressures linked to climate change play a role, as issues like river erosion and frequent flooding displace families, leaving them little choice but to seek a new livelihood in the city.
Effects on Urban Infrastructure
The constant influx of new residents places considerable strain on Dhaka’s urban infrastructure, which struggles to keep pace with the rapid growth. This pressure is most visible in the transportation network, where traffic congestion has become a daily reality for its inhabitants.
Housing is another area under immense pressure. The demand for affordable shelter far outstrips the available supply, leading to the proliferation of informal settlements and slums across the city. These areas often lack basic amenities and are built in precarious locations.
Public utilities are similarly stretched to their limits. Ensuring a consistent supply of clean water, managing sanitation systems, and collecting waste for a population of this magnitude are significant logistical challenges. Extending these services to all residents is a major difficulty.