Bangladesh has 8 divisions, which serve as the country's highest-level administrative units rather than "states." Many people search for the number of states in Bangladesh, but the correct answer is that Bangladesh has no states at all. As a unitary republic, it is organised into eight divisions, each named after its principal city. Unlike federal countries such as the United States or India, where states wield their own constitutional powers, Bangladesh concentrates authority in the central government in Dhaka and delegates administration down through these divisions to districts, sub-districts, and village councils.
The 8 Divisions of Bangladesh
Each division takes its name from its largest city, which also acts as its administrative seat. Listed alphabetically, the eight divisions are:
- Barishal (formerly Barisal) – a low-lying river delta region in the south, defined by countless waterways, ferry routes, and rice paddies. Created in 1993.
- Chattogram (formerly Chittagong) – home to the country's main seaport and the largest division by land area, stretching to the forested Chittagong Hill Tracts.
- Dhaka – the central division containing the national capital and the largest population of any division.
- Khulna – the southwestern division bordering the Sundarbans mangrove forest, the largest mangrove forest on Earth.
- Mymensingh – the newest division, carved out of Dhaka division in 2015.
- Rajshahi – the western division along the Ganges (Padma) River, famous for silk weaving and mangoes.
- Rangpur – the northernmost division, separated from Rajshahi in 2010 and known for tobacco and potato farming.
- Sylhet – the northeastern division, noted for its terraced tea estates and a large overseas diaspora, especially in the United Kingdom.
Why Divisions Instead of States
Bangladesh is a unitary parliamentary republic, which is the key reason it has divisions rather than states. There is one central government and one national parliament in Dhaka. The divisions do not hold sovereign powers the way states do in a federation: they have no separate legislature, no elected governor, and no independent constitution. Instead, each division is administered by an appointed Divisional Commissioner, a senior civil servant who coordinates the work of the districts beneath it.
This arrangement was inherited largely from the British colonial administrative system and refined after Bangladesh gained independence in 1971. Because the divisions are administrative rather than political units, their boundaries can be redrawn by government decision without amending the constitution, which is why their number has grown over time.
How the Divisions Are Structured Below the Top Level
Beneath the eight divisions, Bangladesh uses a layered hierarchy that allows a densely populated nation to be governed efficiently from a single capital while still delivering local services down to the village level. The tiers are:
- Divisions (8) – the top administrative tier, headed by Divisional Commissioners.
- Districts or zila (64) – each led by a Deputy Commissioner.
- Sub-districts or upazila (around 495) – the main unit of local administration.
- Unions and municipalities – elected local councils serving clusters of villages or towns.
- Villages – the smallest community unit.
This structure means that even though power formally flows from the centre, elected local bodies at the union and municipal level give communities a direct say in everyday governance.
Largest and Most Populated Divisions
The divisions vary widely in size and population. Dhaka division is the most populated, with well over 40 million residents, reflecting the gravitational pull of the capital city and its surrounding industrial belt, which produces much of the country's garment exports. Chattogram is the largest by land area, running from the busy port city in the west to the hilly, forested terrain along the borders with Myanmar and India.
By contrast, Mymensingh and Barishal are among the smaller divisions, both in territory and in number of people. The uneven distribution underscores how concentrated Bangladesh's population is around Dhaka and the central plains, while the hilly margins and coastal delta remain comparatively sparse. Sylhet, with its tea-growing highlands, and Rangpur, in the dry northwest, sit somewhere in between.
How the Divisions Have Changed Over Time
The number of divisions has grown steadily as the country has sought to bring administration closer to its people. For decades after independence, Bangladesh had just four divisions: Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna, and Rajshahi. The expansion then unfolded in stages:
- 1993: Barishal was carved out of Khulna.
- 1995: Sylhet was separated from Chattogram.
- 2010: Rangpur was created from Rajshahi.
- 2015: Mymensingh was split from Dhaka, bringing the total to eight.
There have also been government proposals to create further divisions, such as Faridpur and Cumilla (Comilla), so the administrative map may continue to evolve in the coming years. Several cities and divisions were also officially renamed to better reflect local Bengali pronunciation, which is why "Chittagong" became "Chattogram" and "Barisal" became "Barishal."
Bangladesh by the Numbers
With more than 170 million people packed into roughly 148,000 square kilometres, Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries on Earth, averaging well over 1,000 people per square kilometre. Spreading administration across eight divisions helps the government manage this density, coordinate disaster response in a flood-prone delta crossed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, and deliver education and healthcare across diverse regions. For a fuller picture of the country's geography, history, and culture, see our Bangladesh country guide.
Key Facts
- Number of divisions: 8 (Barishal, Chattogram, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet)
- Number of districts (zila): 64
- Government type: Unitary parliamentary republic (no states or provinces)
- Capital: Dhaka
- Most populated division: Dhaka (over 40 million)
- Largest division by area: Chattogram
- Newest division: Mymensingh (created 2015)
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bangladesh have states or provinces?
No. Bangladesh is a unitary republic with no states or provinces. Its highest-level administrative units are the 8 divisions, which are managed by the central government in Dhaka rather than holding independent legislative powers.
How many districts are in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has 64 districts, locally called zila. These districts sit beneath the eight divisions and are themselves subdivided into upazilas (sub-districts), unions, and villages.
What is the capital of Bangladesh?
Dhaka is the national capital and also the seat of Dhaka division. It is the largest city in the country and one of the most populous urban areas in the world.
Which is the newest division in Bangladesh?
Mymensingh is the newest, established in 2015 when it was separated from Dhaka division. Before that, Rangpur (2010) was the most recently created division.
