DHAKA, April 9, 2023 (BSS) - The country's total population stood at 
16,98,28,911, according to the adjusted population in light of the PEC report 
of the sixth Population and Housing Census, 2022.

Considering the 2.75 percent Net Coverage Error (NCE), some 46,70,295 people 
have been added to the initially enumerated population and thus the total 
number of population stood at 16,98,28,911. 

Out of the total population, some 68.34 percent or 11,60,66,925 people live 
in the rural areas while 31.66 percent or 5,37,61,986 people live in the 
urban areas. 

The adjusted population figure in light of the PEC survey of the Census was 
published today at a function held at the NEC Conference Room in the city's 
Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

Planning Minister MA Mannan spoke on the occasion as the chief guest while 
State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam spoke as special guest.

Statistics and Informatics Division Secretary Dr Shahnaz Arefin, Bangladesh 
Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Director General Dr Binayek Sen and 
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Director General Md Matiar Rahman spoke 
on the occasion while Population and Housing Census project director Md 
Dilder Hossain made a power-point presentation.

Considering the adjusted division-wise population, it was found that Dhaka 
Division hosts the highest number of 4,56,43,915 population which is also 
26.88 percent of the total adjusted population. 

On the other hand, Barishal Division hosts the minimum number of 93,25,818 
population which is also 5.49 percent of the total adjusted population.

Besides, out of the total adjusted population, some 20.13 percent or 
3,41,78,581 people live in Chattogram Division, some 10.49 percent or 
1,78,13,957 people live in Khulna Division, Some 7.44 percent or 1,26,37,524 
people live in Mymensingh Division, some 12.24 percent or 2,07,94,023 people 
live in Rajshahi Division, some 10.61 percent or 1,80,20,073 people live in 
Rangpur Division and 6.72 percent or 1,14,15,021 people live in Sylhet 
Division.

If the total enumerated and adjusted population is adjusted by sex, then it 
was found that some 49.51 percent or 8,40,77,203 people are male while 50.43 
percent or 8,56,53,120 people are female. Besides, there is 0.01 percent or 
12,629 Hijra people in the country.

Considering the total enumerated and adjusted population by religion, it was 
found that some 91 percent or 15,45,42,078 people are Muslims while some 8.95 
percent or 1,52,00,876 people are non-Muslims.

Analyzing the total enumerated and adjusted population by age group, it was 
shown that the highest number of 10.10 percent population belongs to the 15-
19 age group followed by 9.92 percent people to 10-14 years age group, 9.58 
percent people to 0-4 age group, 9.31 percent people to 5-9 age group, 9.17 
percent people to 20-24 years age group and 8.69 percent people to 25-29 
years age group.

Earlier on October 10-16, 2022 the post enumeration check (PEC) survey on the 
Census was conducted by BIDS in some 378 sample areas and in some 39,003 
households. The PEC report was published on February 6 this year where the 
net coverage error was found at 2.75 percent which is the lowest in the 
Census history of Bangladesh.

Speaking on the occasion, Planning Minister MA Mannan said that from now on, 
16,98,28,921 would be the official figure of the last population Census.

He also opined for not holding the population census in every 10 years, 
rather to convert the total Census operation in a real-time manner to save 
time and cost.

State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said that there is no doubt about 
the capacity of BBS as its capacity and skills have increased over the years 
while the Bureau has been discharging its duties as a team despite various 
limitations.

Noting that some 56.77 percent of the total adjusted population are aged 
between 0-29 years, Dr Alam said that the figure is really encouraging 
showing the strength of youth force as well as indicating that Bangladesh is 
moving towards the right direction.

As Bangladesh is eying to move towards as 'Smart Bangladesh', he said that 
the BBS now should think of providing population, birth and death related 
data every year through taking necessary steps.

Dr Alam said that due to various steps of the government, the urban and rural 
divide has decreased significantly while the rural population are now 
enjoying the facilities of urban people. He also informed that some 133 
reports would be published by June 2024 centering the population Census.

Statistics and Informatics Division Secretary Dr Shahnaz Arefin said that the 
BBS would be able to deliver more accurate and pure data in the coming days.

Director General of BBS Md Matiar Rahman said that they have a plan to roll 
out population register to update population in real time and once it is 
materialized, there would be no need for holding the population and housing 
Census in every 10 years.

Answering to a question, he said that usually 5 percent net coverage error 
takes places in population census across the globe, but in case of the last 
population census in Bangladesh, it was only 2.75 percent which was also the 
lowest compared to the previous five population census.

Replying to another question, Matiar said that out of some 4 lakh tabs used 
for the Census, the BBS kept 2 lakh tabs for its future operations while the 
remaining 2 lakh tabs are being distributed among students across the 
country.

The country's population was 144,043,697 in 2011, according to the previous 
census in 2011.

The country's first Population and Housing Census was held in 1974
followed by the second census in 1981, the third one in 1991, the fourth
census in 2001 while the fifth one in 2011.

On 15 June 2022, the sixth census and house enumeration activities started 
simultaneously across the country. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina
launched the week-long census at a ceremony at her official residence
Ganabhaban in the capital.

The census was scheduled to end on June 21, but due to floods in the
northeastern districts, the census continued till June 28.
The BBS conducted the census after more than 11 years.

Under the census operations, demographic and socio-economic data like
number of households and their nature, ownership of homes, main source
of drinking water, toilet facilities, power facilities, main source of
fire for cooking, economic operations, inward remittance, age of
household members, gender, marital status, religion, obstacles,
education, work, training, mobile phone and internet usage,
bank/mobile banking accounts, small ethnic groups, nationality and
various district-wise information have been collected.