BANGLADESH

In 2025, Bangladesh continues to face a series of major structural challenges, including overpopulation, chronic poverty, political instability, and climate vulnerability. Although the country has demonstrated resilient economic growth, this growth is insufficient to address growing inequality and social tensions.

The January 2024 general elections, won once again by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, were marred by violence and allegations of fraud, further deepening political polarization. The opposition, which has been partially suppressed, continues to denounce an authoritarian regime characterized by the systematic use of security forces to suppress dissent.

Social movements pose a real risk in Bangladesh. On August 5, 2024, they forced Sheila Hassen to resign and flee the country by helicopter as thousands of protesters stormed her official residence in Dhaka. The violent crackdown on these protests resulted in the deaths of more than 300 people and thousands of arrests.

The social climate remains tense, particularly in the textile sector, a mainstay of the Bangladeshi economy. Strikes and regular protests were reported throughout 2024, particularly in Dhaka, Chittagong, and Narayanganj. These protests are sometimes violently suppressed, with arbitrary arrests and social media blackouts.

In terms of security, crime remains high, especially in major urban areas. Theft, sexual assault, and extortion are common. Rural areas are not spared: violent attacks, home burglaries, and kidnappings are regularly reported there, particularly in border regions or isolated areas.

The risk of terrorism, though moderate, remains present. Islamist sleeper cells, sometimes affiliated with the Islamic State, continue to be dismantled. Targeted attacks against religious minorities, diplomats, or expatriates cannot be ruled out, as sporadic incidents in 2024 have shown. Government surveillance of radical Islamist circles remains, however, active and effective.

From a humanitarian perspective, the situation remains concerning: Bangladesh continues to host more than one million Rohingya refugees in overcrowded camps, particularly in Cox’s Bazar. Crime is skyrocketing there, with a surge in human trafficking, drug trafficking, and arms trafficking, amid deteriorating living conditions and growing insecurity. The work of NGOs in the country is also complex. Under Sheikh Hasina’s government, these organizations have often been accused of serving foreign interests. The Foreign Donations Regulation Act of 2016 imposes severe restrictions on foreign funding, registration, and the activities of NGOs. They also risk having their operations suspended in the event of political disagreement with the government. Finally, they are subject to increased surveillance by intelligence agencies. These same NGOs are targeted by disinformation campaigns, suffer from public mistrust, and face competition from local NGOs—supported by the government—that hinder the work of international NGOs. In this context, staff may be threatened, harassed, or attacked, particularly in sensitive rural areas. These NGOs may also find themselves at the center of communal tensions (as some NGOs working with ethnic minorities may be the target of local hostility) or localized terrorism, being viewed as “agents” of the West.

The country also remains extremely vulnerable to climate change. Seasonal flooding, cyclones, and heat waves caused dozens of deaths and displaced millions of people in 2024. These disasters are exacerbating internal migration and putting pressure on urban infrastructure.

For travelers, only travel within the capital and highly secure areas is advisable, provided strict security measures are in place. Travel outside Dhaka or to border areas is strongly discouraged, except for strictly supervised professional or humanitarian purposes.