Bangladesh Country Report

Bangladesh is developing country in South Asia. Civil and labor unrest are frequent and can cause disruptions nationwide. Multiple countries are advising against nonessential travel to Bangladesh as of late July due to ongoing violent unrest over civil service job reservations. The action and related security responses have severely disrupted business, transport, and telecommunications services. Prolonged and/or recurrent curfews, and violent altercations posing a fatal threat to bystanders are likely until protests subside.

Bangladesh has shown economic progress since independence, notably due to its manufacturing sector, although stability has been elusive due a fractious political environment. Antagonism between the Awami League-led government and the opposition has been a recurrent source of tension and outbreaks of violence. Corruption and a weak rule of law have also adversely affected business activity and the investment climate.

Another prominent threat to travelers is from petty and opportunistic crime. Bangladesh has also faced a growing threat from Islamist terrorism in recent years, though significant attacks have not occurred since 2016. Since mid-2017, the Rohingya migrant crisis in the country's southeast has escalated, although concerns over unrest and insecurity have mostly been limited to along the border with Myanmar.

Parts of Bangladesh are prone to powerful earthquakes and storm systems. Weak implementation of safety regulations and an inadequate emergency response capability increase the risk of widespread devastation.

Violent protests are occurring nationwide, especially in Dhaka, since July 14 over civil service job quotas and anti-government sentiment. The movement has resulted in over 100 deaths as well as widespread business, transport, and telecommunications disruptions. The risk of additional demonstrations and related disruptions remains high. Historically, the country faces a high level of civil unrest. Episodes of civil and labor unrest occur with regularity, notably in major cities, with a moderate-to-high risk of violence when security personnel intervene.

There is a moderate risk of conflict due to the presence of home-grown militant and guerrilla groups in various parts of the country as well as prevailing heightened tensions between indigenous groups and the government in the Chittagong Hills Tracts area; the Rohyinga refugee crisis does not pose a major conflict threat as of yet. In addition, there is a high threat of terrorism due to growing Islamist radicalism as well as the presence of transnational terror and militant groups. Similarly, crime rates are high, with foreign travelers facing a credible risk of exposure to petty and opportunistic crime, notably in major cities.

There are safety concerns over air travel.

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Traffic in urban areas is extremely congested and chaotic. Road accidents causing injuries or death are common.

Ferry accidents are common due to poor safety practices or extreme weather conditions. The ports in Bangladesh are considered inefficient.

There is limited access to electricity, and Internet speeds are slow. However, mobile coverage is considered adequate.

Cyber-crime is also growing problem amidst an increase in dependency on online financial transactions.

There is a high likelihood of powerful cyclones from April to May and between October and December, notably in coastal communities, whilst heavy downpours occur with high frequency during the monsoon season. Similarly, there is a credible threat of earthquakes, notably in the northern and southeastern regions, as well as tsunamis along the coastlines. Groundwater from the alluvial Ganges aquifers in southern and southwestern Bangladesh is naturally contaminated with arsenic; exposure is likely to lead to health problems like cancer and skin lesions. Landmines pose a considerable threat, particularly in the areas near the border with Myanmar.

Mosquito-borne diseases present the main health-related threat in the country. Vaccines before travel are also required, for example, for yellow fever. Medical care is minimal and does not meet international standards, while access to medicines is limited to hospitals, clinics, and major pharmacies primarily located in urban centers. Tap water is not considered safe for drinking.

Prime Minister Sheik Hasina of the Awami League (AL)-led government resigned on 5 August 2024, following weeks of violent anti-government unrest sparked by a controversial civil service job quota. Instability is likely to continue despite the formation of an interim government, with additional political violence likely if fresh elections occur. The country faces significant levels of political acrimony between the two main parties, AL and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP). High levels of corruption and weak rule of law are also a concern.