Bangladesh
Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Challenging Fit — strongest in affordability and healthcare.
- Monthly cost
- $745/moEstimated
- 79% less than US · standard 11-category basket
- Safety
- 31/100
- Watch · high confidence
- Healthcare
- 49/100
- Watch · medium confidence
- Schools
- lowest of 95
- education index · medium confidence
- Climate
- 26°C avg
- 1489mm/yr rain
- Infrastructure
- 12/100
- Mixed · medium confidence
83% data coverage·175.7M population·Institutional data
Per-field freshness (5 dimensions)
Bangladesh at a glance
- Cost$745/moEstimatedsingle person · standard 11-category basket
- Safety2.3 per 100Kintentional homicides (UNODC)
- Healthcare54/100 UHCWHO universal health coverage
- Tax wedge—single, no kids (OECD)
- Population175.7MWorld Bank 2024
Quick answer
Quick answer
Cost-of-living estimate is a 2026 single-person model based on the WhereNext cost index. Use the Cost of Living tool for city-level detail.
Key facts
- Rank #87 of 95 composite score 26/100 across the WhereNext 7-dimension framework.
- ~$745/moEstimated single-person cost of living, including rent, utilities, food, and transport.
- Strongest: Affordability 95/100 normalized — top strength out of 7 dimensions.
- Watch area: Education lowest of 95 — lowest dimension; verify against your priorities.
- Coverage: 83% of dimensions population 175.7M · official and institutional sources (World Bank, UNDP, IEP, OECD, EF EPI).
Composite score
On par with peers
- Bangladesh
- 26/100
- South Asia avg
- 27/100
- Global avg
- 49/100
Compared against 3 regional neighbors and 95 indexed countries globally.
Source: WhereNext 7-dimension composite (World Bank ICP, UNDP HDI, IEP GPI, OECD PISA, EF EPI, Eurostat) · updated
Will you find your people in Bangladesh?
Expat density
Medium1.3% foreign-born
English proficiency
8/100 (EF EPI)
Coworking density
Low
Top nomad hubs
—
Safety reality in Bangladesh
Per Global Peace Index + WHO + national crime statistics.
GPI 2026Institute for Economics & Peace · Verified HDR 2025 (HDI 2023 data)United Nations Development Programme · Verified- Moderate
Overall public safety
Extremely flood-prone (delta geography); severe gender-based violence; LGBTQ+ acts criminalized.
- Serious
Political stability22/100
Material political instability — track-record of policy reversals or civil unrest. Verify residency rights are durable before committing.
- Serious
Natural disaster resilience20/100
High exposure (flood, typhoon, earthquake). The score reflects raw frequency — countries with strong infrastructure (e.g. Japan) handle this well, but plan for periodic disruption.
- Serious
Women's safety28/100
Elevated harassment / personal-safety reports — research neighbourhoods and apply additional precautions.
- Serious
LGBTQ+ safety10/100
Hostile legal regime — same-sex relationships may be criminalised or unrecognised. Do not relocate without legal advice.
- Serious
Emergency healthcare quality32/100
Limited emergency capacity — international medical evacuation insurance strongly advised. Avoid relocation without local-network research if managing chronic conditions.
- Moderate
Terrorism risk
Periodic incidents; standard urban awareness advised.
National averages only. Cross-reference at the city / neighbourhood level before relocating.
Verify with current government advisories
Static-data signals don’t reflect this week’s situation. Cross-check your home government’s current travel advisory before any irreversible commitment.
What life in Bangladesh is actually like
Daily rhythm and cultural texture
Dhaka is sensory overload distilled into a city of 22 million. Your rickshaw ride from Banani to Gulshan traverses a universe — hawkers selling jilapi through car windows, CNG auto-rickshaws belching blue smoke, construction workers balanced on bamboo scaffolding twelve stories up, all while your driver threads gaps that don't appear to exist. The expat universe concentrates in Gulshan, Banani, and Baridhara — diplomatic zones where international restaurants, air-conditioned cafes, and gated apartment compounds create a parallel reality. Step outside that zone and Dhaka's raw energy engulfs you: Old Dhaka's Shankhari Bazaar where Hindu metalworkers have operated for centuries, Sadarghat's chaotic ferry terminal on the Buriganga River, and street food stalls serving fuchka (puffed shells with tamarind water) that will recalibrate your spice tolerance. The garment industry's presence is everywhere — trucks loaded with fabric bolts, workers streaming from factories at shift change, showrooms displaying next season's Western fashion brands at production prices. Monsoon season (June-October) brings flooding that paralyzes entire neighborhoods; waterlogged streets become rivers and commutes triple in duration. The Bangladeshi weekend is Friday-Saturday, and Friday afternoons carry a peaceful lull rare in this city. Chittagong offers port-city grit and hill tract access, while Sylhet's tea gardens provide a green escape. Bengali culture runs deep — Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year) transforms the city with processions, music, and the fierce pride of a culture that fought a war for its language.
Who thrives here — and who struggles
Development and humanitarian professionals — Bangladesh is a global hub for climate adaptation, microfinance, and poverty alleviation work, with organizations like BRAC, Grameen, and hundreds of international NGOs headquartered here. Garment industry executives and supply chain managers. Journalists and researchers focused on climate change, urbanization, or South Asian politics. Adventurous expats who thrive in high-intensity environments and want an experience no one else in their social circle has had. Bangladesh is emphatically not for comfort-seekers, anyone with respiratory sensitivities (air quality in Dhaka is severe), or professionals expecting Western-standard infrastructure. Remote workers will struggle with power reliability and internet consistency outside premium buildings.
Reality check: the first 6 months
Traffic in Dhaka is not a complaint — it's the defining feature of daily existence. A 5km journey can take 90 minutes, and there's no reliable way to predict it. Most expats hire a driver, which is affordable but doesn't eliminate the time lost. Work permits require approval from the Board of Investment and involve a medical exam, security clearance, and documentation that moves through multiple ministries at varying speeds. Bank accounts for foreigners require employer letters, tax identification numbers, and patience measured in weeks. The gap between Gulshan apartment prices (aimed at diplomats and NGO managers) and local rates is enormous — you're paying for generators, water purification, and security guards that are non-negotiable in your compound. Bengalis are extraordinarily generous hosts but Bangla is essential for anything beyond the expat bubble — government offices, local markets, and domestic staff all operate in Bangla. Flooding readiness is not optional: know your building's history, store drinking water, and keep a charged phone.
Bangladesh at a glance
What works well here
- ✓Extremely low cost of living
- ✓One of the fastest-growing economies globally
- ✓Incredibly warm and hospitable culture
- ✓Rich textile and cultural heritage
Friction to expect
- !Extreme traffic congestion in Dhaka
- !Vulnerable to climate change and flooding
- !Infrastructure is strained and developing
Practical nuances
- LGBTQ+ safety
- Homosexuality is criminalized under Section 377 with potential life imprisonment, though prosecutions are rare. Social attitudes are deeply conservative. Extreme discretion is essential.
- Driving & licensing
- Drives on the left. Traffic in Dhaka is notoriously chaotic with rickshaws, buses, and pedestrians sharing space. Most expats rely on chauffeured cars or ride-hailing services rather than driving themselves.
- Healthcare system
- A government system exists but is severely overburdened. Middle-class and expat residents rely entirely on private hospitals. Insurance is strongly recommended as out-of-pocket costs, while low, add up.
- Walkability & transit
- Dhaka is gridlocked and walkability is poor due to broken sidewalks and extreme congestion. A metro rail system is under construction. Cycle rickshaws and ride-hailing apps are the primary transport modes.
Healthcare-system facts · Source: WHO Global Health Observatory + national health-ministry publications · Source review pending · last checked Apr 18, 2026 · Verify coverage and eligibility with the public-system administrator or a licensed health insurer before relying on it.
Tax overview
- Personal income tax
- 5% - 30%
- Corporate tax
- 27.5%
- Sales / VAT
- 15%
- Wealth & crypto
- A surcharge applies to net wealth above certain thresholds. Crypto is not legally recognized by Bangladesh Bank; trading is technically prohibited.
Tax rates and special regimes · Source: OECD Tax Database + national tax authority publications + treaty texts · Source review pending · last checked Apr 18, 2026 · Verify against your own circumstances with a licensed cross-border tax advisor before filing.
See our tax calculator to model your specific situation.
Where expats settle in Bangladesh
Decision Snapshot
The numbers that matter most for your relocation decision.
Scored 0–100 using data from credited organisations: World Bank (cost, governance), WHO (healthcare), OECD PISA (education), Global Peace Index (safety), Open-Meteo (climate), and other credited organisations, plus our own curated data — scoring never uses crowdsourced surveys; crowd-market price indexes appear only as labeled city-cost calibration. See the full methodology.
$745
High Value · standard 11-category basket
2.3 homicides per 100k
UHC index: 54
3 pathways
Work Permit / Employment Visa
Avg 26°C / 80°F
GDP/capita PPP: $10,154
Monthly cost-of-living basket · Source: World Bank + OECD + national statistical agencies + WhereNext research — standard 11-category single-person basket · Source review pending · last checked Apr 21, 2026 · Verify with a recent local listing or in-person check before committing.
This cost is shown as estimated — extrapolated from regional averages because we do not yet ship per-category multipliers for Bangladesh.
Key Caution
Infrastructure scores 12/100, which is 55 points below the global average. Research this area carefully before committing.
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The honest take
What's great
- Affordability — scored 95/100(well above average)
- Healthcare — scored 49/100
- Career — scored 36/100
Watch out for
- Education — scored lowest of 95(52 below average)
- Infrastructure — scored 12/100(55 below average)
Is this place viable for you?
Quick decision check — Bangladesh
Strengths
- Affordability95/100
- Healthcare49/100
- Career36/100
Likely blockers
School options may be limited
Run the free School Cost CalculatorInfrastructure trails comparable destinations
Re-rank destinations against your priorities
How Bangladesh Scores
Seven dimensions, weighted by what matters to relocators.
Best Cities in Bangladesh
Flagship cities first, then researched, then modeled — sorted by cost.
Dhaka
city price-index model
Chittagong
city price-index model
Sylhet
city price-index model
Khulna
city price-index model
All 4 Cities in Bangladesh
Tradeoffs and Risks
Every country has tradeoffs. Here is what the data shows.
What works well
Areas to research
Regional comparison
Get the free Bangladesh Relocation Snapshot (2026)
A one-page, source-cited PDF — cost of living, visa routes, tax & healthcare for Bangladesh, each figure cited to its source. The weekly relocation brief: dated rule, cost and ranking changes with primary sources. One email a week — unsubscribe in one click.
Similar Countries
Countries with a similar data profile across all seven dimensions.
Relocation Checklist — Bangladesh
Checklist is for guidance only. Requirements may vary based on nationality, visa type, and personal circumstances. Consult an immigration professional.
Make Bangladesh real
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Two minutes of context — origin, household, budget, timeline — and every WhereNext tool inherits it.
- institutional data
- free to start
Bangladesh advisor intro
Get a free Bangladesh adviser intro
Tell us what you are trying to solve in Bangladesh and a human will review it for one adviser we are vetting for that destination.
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About Bangladesh
Bangladesh is one of the world's fastest-growing economies, powered by its massive garment industry and a young, ambitious population, offering an immersive cultural experience for adventurous expats in a rapidly transforming nation.
Deep Research
Detailed data for thorough due diligence. Expand any section below.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
Capital
Dhaka
Population
175.7M
Region
South Asia
Languages
Bengali
Currency
Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)
Timezone
BST (UTC+6)
GDP per capita (PPP)
$10,154
Unemployment
3.8%
Healthcare System
Healthcare System
UHC Coverage Index
54
Physicians per 1,000
0.7
Life expectancy
74.9 years
Homicide rate
2.3 per 100k
If your visa or residency application requires proof of health cover, compare the exact requirement with a comprehensive resident plan before you apply. International Citizens Insurance can compare resident plans from multiple insurers; a travel-medical policy may not meet that requirement.
Climate & Environment
Climate & Environment
Average temperature
26.4°C / 80°F
Annual rainfall
1489 mm
Visa Pathways
Visa Pathways
Work Permit / Employment Visa
Requires employer sponsorship and approval from the Board of Investment or relevant authority. Renewable annually.
Investment Visa
For foreign investors establishing businesses or making significant capital contributions to the Bangladeshi economy.
NGO/Development Visa
For international NGO and development workers, processed through the NGO Affairs Bureau.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bangladesh a good country to move to?
Bangladesh scores 26/100 overall and ranks #87 out of 95 countries in our data-driven analysis. Its strongest dimensions are affordability and healthcare. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use our free personalization quiz to see how it ranks for your specific profile.
What is the cost of living in Bangladesh?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Bangladesh is approximately $745 on WhereNext's standard 11-category single-person basket. GDP per capita (PPP) is $10,154. Cost inputs draw on World Bank, OECD, national statistical agencies, and WhereNext research.
Is Bangladesh safe to live in?
Bangladesh has notable safety concerns, scoring 31/100 on our safety index (normalized within our 95-country field; inputs: Global Peace Index, World Bank political stability, and homicide statistics). The homicide rate is 2.3 per 100,000 people.
How is healthcare in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has adequate healthcare, scoring 49/100 on our healthcare index (normalized within our 95-country field). The WHO Universal Health Coverage index is 54. There are 0.7 physicians per 1,000 people. Healthcare quality can vary significantly between cities and rural areas.
Do I need a visa to move to Bangladesh?
Requirements depend on your citizenship and intended length of stay. Common pathways include Work Permit / Employment Visa, Investment Visa, NGO/Development Visa. Always check with the official embassy or consulate for current requirements.
Bangladesh Guides & Articles
Download the data for Bangladesh
Suggested citation
CC BY 4.0This dataset is free to redistribute, quote, and embed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. The composite form below preserves source lineage so AI assistants can cite both WhereNext and the underlying institutional publishers.
WhereNext composite — WhereNext Bangladesh Relocation Profile 2026 (2026-04-21). Derived from: World Bank ICP (cost of living); WHO Global Health Observatory (healthcare quality); OECD PISA + UNESCO UIS (education); Yale EPI (environment); IEP Global Peace Index (safety); EF EPI (English proficiency); World Bank internet penetration + fixed broadband (digital infrastructure); WGI (governance). Available at https://getwherenext.com/country/bd?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. (2026). WhereNext Bangladesh Relocation Profile 2026. Retrieved from https://getwherenext.com/country/bd?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. "WhereNext Bangladesh Relocation Profile 2026." WhereNext, 21 Apr 2026, https://getwherenext.com/country/bd?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. Accessed via https://getwherenext.com/country/bd?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
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}<a href="https://getwherenext.com/country/bd?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation">WhereNext — WhereNext Bangladesh Relocation Profile 2026</a>
Next step
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Important Notice
WhereNext provides data-driven insights for informational purposes only. Scores and rankings are algorithmically generated from public institutional data and may not reflect your individual circumstances. This tool does not replace professional advice for immigration, legal, tax, or financial matters.