President: Zillur Rahman Prime minister: Sheikh Hasina Wajed
Chairman of the General National Congress: Mohamed Magarief
Population
161,083,804
5,613,380
Life Expectancy
70.060 years
77.830 years
Capital City
Dhaka
Tripoli (Tarabulus)
Largest city
Dhaka (population: 10,356,500)
Tripoli (population: 1,150,990)
Human Development Index
0.524
0.84
GDP per capita
$1,700 US
$14,100 US
Literacy Rate
43.1%
82.6%
Corruption Perception Index
2.1
2.6
Percentage of Women in Parliament
0%
7.7%
Wealthiest Citizens
Unemployment Rate
5.000%
30.000%
Death Penalty
Legal
Legal
Political System
parliamentary democracy
Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace through local councils; in practice, an authoritarian state
Independence date
16 December 1971 (from West Pakistan); note - 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is known as Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)
Religions
Muslim 83%, Hindu 16%, other 1% (1998)
Sunni Muslim 97%, other 3%
Languages
Bangla (official, also known as Bengali), English
Arabic, Italian, English, all are widely understood in the major cities
Exports
garments, jute and jute goods, leather, frozen fish and seafood
