Bangladesh - a brief description
In area, Bangladesh is a country about the size of the state of Iowa. Currently it has a population of nearly 165 million (about half the population of the US, compared to less than 3.2 million in Iowa), making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
Population this dense, along with poverty and inequality, causes many problems on top of the arsenic problem. Approximately 63% of the population is considered rural. The economy has improved markedly over the past 15 years, resulting in less overall poverty. Still, in rural areas, 35% of the population fall below the poverty line, and an additional 29% are considered moderately poor.
If you would like to catch a glimpse of rural life in Bangladesh, click on the arrow below.