The largest city in Bangladesh is Dhaka, the capital, with a population of around 10.3 million in the city proper, followed by Gazipur (3.6 million), Chittagong (2.9 million), Narayanganj (0.71 million), and Khulna (0.66 million). Together with Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Comilla, and Rangpur, these ten cities form the urban backbone of one of the most densely populated nations on Earth, home to roughly 165 million people packed into an area smaller than the U.S. state of Iowa.
The Top 10 Largest Cities Ranked
Bangladesh's cities are overwhelmingly clustered in and around the central Dhaka region, with the port of Chittagong anchoring the southeast. The country's urban geography is shaped by its great rivers — the Padma, Jamuna, Meghna, and Buriganga — which historically made riverside locations natural sites for trade, administration, and population growth. Ranked by population of the city proper, the ten largest are:
- Dhaka — approximately 10.3 million (capital, Dhaka Division)
- Gazipur — approximately 3.6 million (Dhaka Division)
- Chittagong (Chattogram) — approximately 2.9 million (Chittagong Division)
- Narayanganj — approximately 0.71 million (Dhaka Division)
- Khulna — approximately 0.66 million (Khulna Division)
- Sylhet — approximately 0.53 million (Sylhet Division)
- Mymensingh — approximately 0.47 million (Mymensingh Division)
- Rajshahi — approximately 0.45 million (Rajshahi Division)
- Comilla (Cumilla) — approximately 0.41 million (Chittagong Division)
- Rangpur — approximately 0.35 million (Rangpur Division)
These figures reflect city-proper populations within official municipal boundaries; metropolitan totals are far higher. Greater Dhaka, for instance, is one of the most populous urban areas in the world, with well over 20 million people when surrounding districts like Gazipur and Narayanganj are folded in. Notably, four of the ten largest cities — Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Comilla — lie within just two divisions, underlining how heavily Bangladesh's urban population concentrates in the country's center and southeast.
Dhaka: The Megacity Capital
Dhaka is the political, economic, and cultural heart of Bangladesh, and one of the fastest-growing megacities in the world. Founded as a Mughal provincial capital in the early 17th century, it grew from a riverside trading town on the Buriganga River into a sprawling metropolis. Today it concentrates the nation's government, finance, universities, media, and a vast ready-made-garment industry that drives Bangladesh's export economy. Dhaka is famous for its dense traffic, its hundreds of thousands of cycle rickshaws, and historic landmarks such as Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil (the "Pink Palace"), and the Star Mosque. Its extreme population density — among the highest of any city on Earth — makes it both an economic engine and a city under constant pressure for housing, transport, drainage, and clean water. The recently expanded Dhaka Metro Rail is one of several megaprojects aimed at easing the strain.
The Industrial Belt Around the Capital
Two cities flanking the capital have surged thanks to industry. Gazipur, just north of Dhaka, is a major hub for textiles and ready-made garments, and its rapid, factory-driven growth has pushed it past Chittagong in city-proper population to become the country's second-largest city. Narayanganj, to the south, is a historic trading and jute-processing center on the Shitalakshya River, sometimes called the "Dundee of Bangladesh" after the Scottish jute capital. Both cities function as satellites of Dhaka, absorbing overflow population and offering manufacturing jobs that draw migrants from across the country.
Chittagong: The Port City
Chittagong (officially Chattogram), on the Bay of Bengal coast, is the nation's principal seaport and second economic center. Roughly 90 percent of Bangladesh's international maritime trade passes through its harbor, making it the country's commercial lifeline. The city hosts shipbuilding, steel, oil refining, and one of the world's largest ship-breaking industries along its northern shoreline at Sitakunda. Set against the green hills of the Chittagong Hill Tracts and ringed by beaches, Chittagong combines heavy industry with striking natural surroundings, and serves as the gateway to Cox's Bazar, home to one of the longest natural sea beaches on the planet.
Regional Centers Across the Country
Beyond the central corridor, several cities serve as divisional capitals and regional hubs, each with a distinct character:
- Khulna, in the southwest, is the gateway to the Sundarbans mangrove forest and a center for shrimp farming, jute, and newsprint.
- Sylhet, in the northeast, is known for its terraced tea gardens, Sufi shrines such as that of Hazrat Shah Jalal, and strong ties to the Bangladeshi diaspora in the United Kingdom.
- Mymensingh, on the old Brahmaputra River, is a historic educational center and home to Bangladesh Agricultural University.
- Rajshahi, on the Padma River near the Indian border, is celebrated for silk production (the "Silk City"), mangoes, and its leafy, low-pollution streets.
- Comilla (Cumilla), near the eastern border, is an ancient settlement linked to the Buddhist ruins of Mainamati and famous for its rasmalai sweets.
- Rangpur anchors the agricultural north and is a key center for rice, tobacco, and jute cultivation.
A Nation Defined by Density
Bangladesh is the most densely populated large country in the world, and its cities reflect that intensity. Urbanization is accelerating rapidly: rural migrants flow toward Dhaka, Gazipur, and Chittagong in search of factory and service work, fueling continued growth in the largest urban areas. While only around 40 percent of Bangladesh's population currently lives in cities, that share is climbing every year. This concentration powers the economy but also strains infrastructure, contributing to flooding, congestion, and air-quality challenges, especially in the capital. To explore more about the country's geography, demographics, and culture, see our Bangladesh country guide.
Key Facts
- Largest city: Dhaka, the capital (~10.3 million in the city proper)
- Second largest: Gazipur (~3.6 million), a garment-manufacturing hub
- Main seaport: Chittagong (Chattogram), handling ~90% of foreign trade
- Largest metro area: Greater Dhaka, with over 20 million people
- National population: approximately 165 million
- Administrative divisions: 8 divisions, each anchored by a major city
- Urbanization rate: roughly 40% of the population and rising
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest city in Bangladesh?
Dhaka, the capital, is by far the largest city, with roughly 10.3 million people in the city proper and more than 20 million across its wider metropolitan area, making it one of the most populous urban regions on Earth.
Is Chittagong bigger than Dhaka?
No. Chittagong (Chattogram), with about 2.9 million people in the city proper, is Bangladesh's main seaport and second-largest economic center, but it is much smaller than Dhaka. In city-proper terms it now ranks third, behind both Dhaka and Gazipur.
How many people live in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has a population of approximately 165 million, making it one of the most populous countries in the world despite its relatively small land area — it is the most densely populated large nation on the planet.
Why is Gazipur so large?
Gazipur sits just north of Dhaka and has grown explosively as a center for garment factories and other manufacturing, drawing large numbers of workers and pushing its city-proper population above 3.6 million, ahead of the older port city of Chittagong.