World Factbook
Bangladesh
Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: green field with a large red disk shifted slightly to the left meaning: the red disk represents the rising sun and the sacrifice to achieve independence; the green field symbolizes the lush vegetation of Bangladesh
Capital
name
Dhaka
etymology
the origins of the name are unclear, but it may be derived from either the dhak tree or Dhakeshwari, a goddess with a shrine in the city
time difference
UTC+6 (11 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
23 43 N, 90 24 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Bangladesh
dual citizenship recognized
yes, but limited to select countries
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previous 1935, 1956, 1962 (pre-independence); latest enacted 4 November 1972, effective 16 December 1972, suspended March 1982, restored November 1986
amendment process
proposed by the House of the Nation; approval requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the House membership and assent of the president of the republic
Country name
former
East Bengal, East Pakistan
etymology
the name is a compound of the Bengali words Bangla (Bengali) and desh (country)
local long form
Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh
local short form
Bangladesh
conventional long form
People's Republic of Bangladesh
conventional short form
Bangladesh
Independence
16 December 1971 (from Pakistan)
Legal system
common law, incorporating elements of English common law; since independence, statutory law has been the primary form of legislation; Islamic law applies to Muslims in family and inheritance laws, with Hindu personal law applying to Hindus and Buddhists
Government type
parliamentary republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court of Bangladesh (organized into the Appellate Division with 7 justices and the High Court Division with 99 justices)
subordinate courts
civil courts include: Assistant Judge's Court; Joint District Judge's Court; Additional District Judge's Court; District Judge's Court; criminal courts include: Court of Sessions; Court of Metropolitan Sessions; Metropolitan Magistrate Courts; Magistrate Court; special courts/tribunals
judge selection and term of office
chief justice and justices appointed by the president; justices serve until retirement at age 67
Executive branch
note
note: On August 5, 2024, former prime minister Sheikh HASINA fled the country as protesters stormed her official residence, and army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman announced that an interim government would be formed to run Bangladesh; the President dissolved Parliament on 6 August and swore in Nobel laureate Muhammad YUNUS as interim prime minister on 8 August
cabinet
Cabinet selected by the prime minister, appointed by the president
chief of state
President Mohammad SHAHABUDDIN Chuppi (since 24 April 2023)
election results
President Mohammad SHAHABUDDIN Chuppi (AL) elected unopposed by the National Parliament; Sheikh HASINA reappointed prime minister for a fifth term following the 7 January 2024 parliamentary election but fled the country on 5 August 2024 following mass protests against her government in July and August 2024; Mohammad YUNIS was appointed as interim Prime Minister on 8 August 2024
head of government
Interim Prime Minister Muhammad YUNUS (since 8 August 2024)
most recent election date
13 February 2023
election/appointment process
president indirectly elected by the National Parliament for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); the president appoints as prime minister the majority party leader in the National Parliament
expected date of next election
2028
National holiday
Independence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day, 16 December (1971)
note: 26 March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December (Victory Day) memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
National color(s)
green, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Bagerhat Historic Mosque (c); Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur (c); Sundarbans (n)
Political parties
Awami League or AL Bangladesh Jamaat-i-Islami or JIB Bangladesh Nationalist Party or BNP Islami Andolan Bangladesh Jatiya Party or JP (Ershad faction) Jatiya Party or JP (Manju faction) National Socialist Party (Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal) or JSD Workers Party or WP
Legislative branch
note
note: the Parliament (House of the Nation) was dissolved on 6 August 2024 by President Mohammad SHAHABUDDIN Chuppi following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh HASINA Wazed on 5 August 2024; new national elections will be held in February 2026
expected date of next election
February 2026
National anthem(s)
title
"Amar Shonar Bangla" (My Golden Bengal)
history
adopted 1971; Rabindranath TAGORE, a Nobel laureate, also wrote India's national anthem
lyrics/music
Rabindranath TAGORE
National symbol(s)
Bengal tiger, water lily
National coat of arms
the water lily is the national flower and symbolizes promise, aesthetics, and elegance; the water under the lily, the rice sheaves on the sides, and the jute leaves at the top represent the Bangladeshi landscape and economy; the four stars represent the aims and ambition of the nation
Administrative divisions
8 divisions; Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 244-2771
chancery
3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 244-0183
chief of mission
Ambassador Tareq Md Ariful ISLAM (since 5 September 2025)
consulate(s) general
Los Angeles, Miami, New York
email address and website
mission.washington@mofa.gov.bd Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Washington, DC (mofa.gov.bd)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[880] (2) 5566-2907
embassy
Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka - 1212
telephone
[880] (2) 5566-2000
mailing address
6120 Dhaka Place, Washington DC 20521-6120
chief of mission
Ambassador-designate Brent CHRISTENSEN (since 12 January 2026)
email address and website
DhakaACS@state.gov https://bd.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ADB, ARF, BIMSTEC, C, CD, CICA (observer), CP, D-8, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, PCA, SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNIFIL, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction