Dhaka Population
The current population of the city of Dhaka, Bangladesh is estimated to be about 7,001,000, which is about equal to the last record of the population. Dhaka is actually the capital city of Bangladesh and is considered to be one of the major cities of all of South Asia. The city is considered the largest in all of Bangladesh and the overall metropolitan area is the 9th largest city in the entire world. Based on the total land area and the total population of the city, the population density of Dhaka is about 50,001 people per square mile.
Demographics of Dhaka
The literacy rate of the city has been increasing at a very high rate over the past few years. In 2001, about 62% of the city could read and write. Now, about 73% of the population is considered literate and can read and write. This is compared to the national literacy average of 57%.
The ethnic makeup of the city is very diverse overall. There are many native tribal people that make up the city, including Rohingya, Santal, Khasi, Garo, Chakma, and Mandi. However, the larger populations from more prominent countries come from countries like China, Korea, India, and Burma.
The national language of the country is Bengali, so a good portion of the city residents speaks the language. However, there are also many regional dialects and other languages that the population speaks.
Religion in Dhaka
The largest religious affiliation in the city of Dhaka is the Islamic religion, which makes up about 83% of the population. Also, about 16% of the population practices Hinduism. Despite the high proportion of Muslims, though, the population also practices many folk traditions that predate Islam. Music, dance, and literature are all important aspects of the religious culture of the city.
Economy of Dhaka
The city of Dhaka is considered the commercial heart of the country. The middle class is growing in a market where consumer purchasing is very thriving. Migrant workers are very populous in the city as well. A majority of the workforce works in household and unorganized labor opportunities. Finance, banking, tourism, and hotels are large parts of the economy.
Sports in Dhaka
The two most popular sports in the city are cricket and football (American soccer). The two most famous football teams in the city and in the country are the Mohammedan Sports Club and Abahani. These two teams competitively participate in the Bangladesh Premier League. The Dhaka Metropolis cricket team, which represents Dhaka city, participates in the National Cricket League.
Festivals in Dhaka
Due to the highly Islamic and Hindu cultures, both religions have significant influences on the culture, especially festivals. Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha are two Muslim festivals that are prominent in the culture. Eid ul-Fitr is celebrated on August 7th and celebrates the purification that Muslims achieve during Ramadan. Eid ul-Adha is celebrated on October 14 and celebrates the willingness of Abraham to respond to God’s call.
Other popular national festivals and holidays include Independence Day on March 26, Language Martyr’s Day on February 21, Victory Day on December 16, Bengali New Year on April 14, Ekushey Book Fair during the month of February, and the Hindu festivals of Durga Puha and Kali Puja.
Dhaka the Megacity
Other Resources
Check out this link for more information on Dhaka population statistics.