World Safety Map

Safest cities in Bangladesh

131 cities with 100k+ population · data updated 2026-09-04

US 3/4 Reconsider travelUK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to parts of this country

Areas the UK FCDO advises against visiting

  • Rangamati
  • Khagrachari
  • Bandarban

In full or in part — the official advisory lists exact boundaries and exceptions.

What official travel advice warns about

Terrorism

  • Terrorism in BangladeshTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Bangladesh.

Political situation

  • Bangladesh held national elections on 12 February 2026. Political rallies and demonstrations can quickly turn violent leading to clashes. During demonstrations and strikes (‘hartals’), there can be arson, violence and vandalism in towns and cities across the country, which can result in fatalities.

Crime

  • Robbery and violenceThere are reports of an increase in violent crime since the popular uprising in Bangladesh in July and August 2024.
  • Protecting yourself and your belongingsBe alert when using and carrying your phone in public and crowded spaces. To reduce your risk, do not carry large quantities of money or wear expensive-looking jewellery or watches.
  • Sexual assaultThere is a risk of sexual assault, including attacks on female foreign national visitors.
  • Methanol poisoningThere have been deaths and cases of serious illness caused by alcoholic drinks containing methanol in Bangladesh.
  • Dhaka and Sylhet airportsDhaka international and Sylhet airports are fully operational. Check with your travel provider for updates.

Laws and cultural differences

  • Personal IDLocal officials may ask you for ID.
  • Dress codeBoth men and women should dress modestly to avoid causing offence. Women should cover their shoulders and legs in public.
  • RamadanRamadan in 2026 is expected to start on the 17/18 February and last until the third week of March.
  • British nationals of Bangladeshi originIf you’re a British national of Bangladeshi origin, the Bangladeshi government will consider you to be a Bangladeshi citizen, even if you:
  • Alcohol lawsYou may need a liquor permit to drink alcohol in Bangladesh. A liquor permit allows you to drink alcohol in government-licensed bars. Check the requirements at your local district office and apply for a permit if necessary.
  • Illegal drugs penaltiesThere are severe penalties for possessing and trafficking illegal drugs. Some drug-related offences are punishable by the death penalty or life imprisonment.
  • Prison sentences and conditionsIf you break local laws, you may get a prison sentence, served in a local prison. Delays and inefficiency in the judicial system can result in long detentions until court hearings eventually take place. Prison conditions are far below UK standards.
  • Family law and property disputesFamily law in Bangladesh is very different from UK law. Always check your legal position when, for example, child custody is an issue.
  • LGBT+ travellersSame-sex sexual activity is illegal in Bangladesh.

Transport risks

  • Road travelIf you are planning to drive in Bangladesh, see information on driving abroad.
  • Driving standardsRoad accidents are common in Bangladesh due to:
  • Cycle rickshaws and taxisCycle rickshaws used on main roads alongside traffic are not safe – they offer little protection if there is an accident.
  • BusesThe risks of travelling by bus include:
  • Air travelDue to the security situation in Bangladesh, there are frequent disruptions to air travel, often at short notice. Stay in touch with your airline. Security checks at the airport can also be slow.
  • Rail travelThe rail network is extensive but old and generally considered slow.
  • Sea and river travelRiver and sea ferry risks include:

Extreme weather and natural disasters

  • Monsoon seasonThe monsoon season runs from June to September and can cause widespread flooding and travel disruption.
  • Tropical cyclonesThere is a risk of tropical cyclones in Bangladesh. Check weather reports from the Bangladesh Meteorological Department and the World Meteorological Organization.
  • EarthquakesAround half of Bangladesh, including the cities of Moulvibazar and Sylhet, is in a high-risk earthquake zone. Other areas, including Dhaka, are at moderate risk. Tremors and earthquakes, usually minor ones, happen occasionally.
  • TsunamisBangladesh can be affected by tsunamis. In some cases the Bangladeshi government will issue tsunami warnings. Monitor local news and follow any advice given by local authorities.

Headings and opening lines from the UK FCDO “Safety and security” travel advice for Bangladesh, updated 2026-07-15 (Open Government Licence v3.0). Read the full advice on gov.uk →

Country figures

Homicide rate
1.76 /100k2023
Income inequality
Gini 30.92022
Human development
HDI 0.6852023
Income
$10,710/yrGNI per capita PPP
Road deaths
15.3 /100kWHO, 2019
Political stability
41/100WGI, 2024 · higher = more stable
Rule of law
40/100WGI, 2024
Corruption perceptions
24/100Transparency Intl, 2025 · higher = cleaner
Natural-hazard risk
5.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Women, Peace & Security
0.53GIWPS, 2025 · 0-1, higher = better
Air quality
69.3 µg/m³PM2.5, 2023 · WHO guideline is 5
Safe drinking water
59%of population, 2024 · WHO/UNICEF JMP
Healthcare capacity
0.7 doctors /1k0.9 hospital beds per 1,000
Malaria
1 /1k at riskWHO, 2024 · endemic countries only

Natural hazards

Flood
9.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Earthquake
8.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Tsunami
8.1/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Cyclone
7.9/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier
Drought
1.5/10EU INFORM, 2026 · higher = riskier

Hazard types scoring under 1 out of 10 are not listed.

Same-sex sexual activity is criminalized in Bangladesh (as of 2025). This describes the law on the books, not necessarily enforcement practice.

How Bangladesh compares

Bangladesh against the median of all 180 countries in the dataset. Green means better than the median.
MeasureBangladeshWorld medianDifference
Homicide rate1.8 /100k2.4 /100k−0.6 /100k — better for Bangladesh
Income inequality (Gini)30.935.2−4.3 — better for Bangladesh
Human development (HDI)0.6850.763−0.078 — better for World median
Road deaths15.3 /100k15.4 /100k−0.1 /100k — better for Bangladesh
Rule of law40/10052/100−12/100 — better for World median
Corruption perceptions24/10039/100−15/100 — better for World median
Air quality (PM2.5)69.3 µg/m³19.7 µg/m³+49.6 µg/m³ — better for World median
Natural-hazard risk5.9/103.8/10+2.1/10 — better for World median
And against its own region — often the more useful comparison, since Asia shares much of the context a global median averages away.
MeasureBangladeshAsia medianDifference
Homicide rate1.8 /100k1.5 /100k+0.2 /100k — better for Asia median
Income inequality (Gini)30.933.6−2.7 — better for Bangladesh
Human development (HDI)0.6850.771−0.086 — better for Asia median
Road deaths15.3 /100k14.9 /100k+0.4 /100k — better for Asia median
Rule of law40/10052/100−12/100 — better for Asia median
Corruption perceptions24/10037/100−13/100 — better for Asia median
Air quality (PM2.5)69.3 µg/m³26.7 µg/m³+42.6 µg/m³ — better for Asia median
Natural-hazard risk5.9/103.6/10+2.3/10 — better for Asia median

Medians, not means, so one extreme country cannot drag the reference value. Each row compares only the countries that have a published figure for that measure, and differences are plain arithmetic between stored values.

All 131 cities, safest first

  1. Chapainawabganj73.7 · #2974 worldwide
  2. Kansat73.7 · #2975 worldwide
  3. Sylhet71.8 · #3190 worldwide
  4. Sunamganj71.8 · #3191 worldwide
  5. Fenchuganj71.8 · #3192 worldwide
  6. Chhatak71.8 · #3193 worldwide
  7. Companyganj71.8 · #3194 worldwide
  8. Moulvibazar71.2 · #3287 worldwide
  9. Sreemangal71.2 · #3288 worldwide
  10. Dirai71.2 · #3289 worldwide
  11. Golapganj70.3 · #3357 worldwide
  12. Barguna70.3 · #3358 worldwide
  13. Rangpur69.9 · #3397 worldwide
  14. Dinajpur69.9 · #3398 worldwide
  15. Thakurgaon69.9 · #3399 worldwide
  16. Saidpur69.9 · #3400 worldwide
  17. Kulaura69.9 · #3401 worldwide
  18. Lalmonirhat69.9 · #3402 worldwide
  19. Gangachara69.9 · #3403 worldwide
  20. Haragach69.9 · #3404 worldwide
  21. Melandaha69.9 · #3405 worldwide
  22. Panchagarh69.9 · #3406 worldwide
  23. Nilphamari69.9 · #3407 worldwide
  24. Koyra69.9 · #3408 worldwide
  25. Naogaon69.3 · #3459 worldwide
  26. Kurigram69.3 · #3460 worldwide
  27. Noapara69.3 · #3461 worldwide
  28. Bogura69.0 · #3529 worldwide
  29. Satkhira69.0 · #3530 worldwide
  30. Bahubal69.0 · #3531 worldwide
  31. Sariakandi69.0 · #3532 worldwide
  32. Jamalpur68.8 · #3560 worldwide
  33. Sherpur68.8 · #3561 worldwide
  34. Beanibazar68.8 · #3562 worldwide
  35. Barlekha68.8 · #3563 worldwide
  36. Khulna68.6 · #3574 worldwide
  37. Gaibandha68.6 · #3575 worldwide
  38. Netrokona68.6 · #3576 worldwide
  39. Chilmari68.6 · #3577 worldwide
  40. Bagerhat68.6 · #3578 worldwide
  41. Joypurhat68.6 · #3579 worldwide
  42. Naldanga68.6 · #3580 worldwide
  43. Gouripur68.6 · #3581 worldwide
  44. Saghatta68.4 · #3589 worldwide
  45. Mollar Char68.4 · #3590 worldwide
  46. Ulipur68.4 · #3591 worldwide
  47. Chuadanga68.4 · #3592 worldwide
  48. Saral68.4 · #3593 worldwide
  49. সুখানপুকুর68.4 · #3594 worldwide
  50. Nazirhat68.2 · #3621 worldwide
  51. Habiganj68.2 · #3622 worldwide
  52. Baniachong68.2 · #3623 worldwide
  53. Rajshahi68.0 · #3641 worldwide
  54. Shaistaganj68.0 · #3642 worldwide
  55. Natore68.0 · #3643 worldwide
  56. Lakhai68.0 · #3644 worldwide
  57. Rangamati67.7 · #3749 worldwide
  58. Chattogram67.6 · #3752 worldwide
  59. Jashore67.6 · #3753 worldwide
  60. Rangunia67.6 · #3754 worldwide
  61. Bheramara67.6 · #3755 worldwide
  62. Chandanaish66.9 · #3784 worldwide
  63. Patuakhali66.9 · #3785 worldwide
  64. Barishal66.6 · #3791 worldwide
  65. Pirojpur66.4 · #3794 worldwide
  66. Jhalokathi66.3 · #3832 worldwide
  67. Swarupkathi66.3 · #3833 worldwide
  68. Sandwip66.0 · #3848 worldwide
  69. Tazumoddin66.0 · #3849 worldwide
  70. Bhola65.9 · #3855 worldwide
  71. Munshir Hat65.9 · #3856 worldwide
  72. Nalgora Char65.9 · #3857 worldwide
  73. Feni65.8 · #3861 worldwide
  74. Baraiyarhat65.8 · #3862 worldwide
  75. Char Badam65.5 · #3868 worldwide
  76. Kutubdia64.8 · #3994 worldwide
  77. Gopalganj64.7 · #3996 worldwide
  78. Madhabpur64.6 · #3997 worldwide
  79. Austagram64.6 · #3998 worldwide
  80. Shibpur64.5 · #4030 worldwide
  81. Akhaura64.4 · #4043 worldwide
  82. Agailjhara63.9 · #4082 worldwide
  83. Chandpur63.5 · #4171 worldwide
  84. Narayanpur63.5 · #4172 worldwide
  85. Shahrasti63.5 · #4173 worldwide
  86. Sherpur60.6 · #4373 worldwide
  87. Dhunat60.6 · #4374 worldwide
  88. Mymensingh60.6 · #4377 worldwide
  89. Jhenaidah60.6 · #4378 worldwide
  90. Kushtia60.6 · #4383 worldwide
  91. Magura60.6 · #4384 worldwide
  92. Pangsha60.6 · #4385 worldwide
  93. Kazipur60.6 · #4386 worldwide
  94. Sarishabari60.6 · #4387 worldwide
  95. Sirajganj60.5 · #4388 worldwide
  96. Gurudaspur60.5 · #4389 worldwide
  97. Muktagacha60.5 · #4397 worldwide
  98. Pabna60.5 · #4398 worldwide
  99. Lalpur60.5 · #4399 worldwide
  100. Bhuapur60.5 · #4400 worldwide
  101. Hatikumrul60.5 · #4401 worldwide
  102. Ullapara60.5 · #4402 worldwide
  103. Kayempur60.4 · #4403 worldwide
  104. Kishoreganj60.1 · #4425 worldwide
  105. Nandail60.1 · #4426 worldwide
  106. Trishal60.1 · #4427 worldwide
  107. Nikli60.1 · #4428 worldwide
  108. Gafargaon60.1 · #4429 worldwide
  109. Dhaka60.1 · #4431 worldwide
  110. Katiadi60.1 · #4432 worldwide
  111. Brahmanbaria60.1 · #4433 worldwide
  112. Rajbari60.1 · #4435 worldwide
  113. Savar60.1 · #4436 worldwide
  114. Belkuchi60.1 · #4437 worldwide
  115. Elenga60.1 · #4438 worldwide
  116. Tangail60.1 · #4439 worldwide
  117. Belkuchi60.1 · #4440 worldwide
  118. Manikganj60.1 · #4441 worldwide
  119. Bera60.1 · #4442 worldwide
  120. Delduar60.0 · #4444 worldwide
  121. Louhajang60.0 · #4445 worldwide
  122. Faridpur60.0 · #4446 worldwide
  123. Rajoir60.0 · #4447 worldwide
  124. Madaripur60.0 · #4449 worldwide
  125. Shariatpur59.9 · #4450 worldwide
  126. Mathbarer Char59.9 · #4452 worldwide
  127. Eidgaon59.9 · #4453 worldwide
  128. Afamolla59.9 · #4454 worldwide
  129. Chengarchar59.8 · #4456 worldwide
  130. Cox's Bazar59.8 · #4459 worldwide
  131. Hakimpara59.3 · #4488 worldwide