158
FAHTHAI
TEXT: JESS MUDDITT;
ILLUSTRATION: BEA CRESPO AT ILLUSTRATIONROOM.COM.AU
Facts and stats behind the
megacity of Dhaka, the world’s
most densely populated city
The
final call:
Dhaka
44,000
people, on average, are packed into every 1km
2
in
this megacity. Dhaka’s population of more than
15 million people occupies an area of just 140km
2
,
making it the world’s most densely populated city.
400,000
colourful cycle-
rickshaws ply
Dhaka’s streets
every day. The
city is known as
the “Rickshaw
Capital of the
World.”
5,400
tonnes of
waste is
generated
each day in
Dhaka.
10
income-
tax-
free years are
given as a perk
to companies
completing
building projects
outside the city.
The measure
aims to curb rapid
urbanisation.
7
The
number
of hours
daily
when traffic is
at a standstill,
according to a
2011 government
report. Dhaka has
the world’s worst
traffic – it can be
faster to walk.
34 million
Dhaka inhabitants are
economic migrants who
moved to the capital in
search of work. However,
about 34% of Dhaka’s
population lives below
the poverty line.
2
The municipality of
Dhaka was divided
into two parts in
2011: Dhaka City
Corporation South and
Dhaka City Corporation
North. The initiative was
designed to improve the
quality of public services but
it remains controversial.
4.5%
Dhaka’s growth
rate makes it
one of the
fastest growing
cities in Asia.
72.7%
Dhaka’s literacy
rate is much higher
than the national
average of 56.5%.
It’s considered the
nation’s cultural
hub as well as
its economic
powerhouse.
of Dhaka residents are
members of the Islamic faith.
The second largest religion is
Hinduism, whose adherents
account for all but the remaining
one per cent of the population.
Dhaka is often described as
“The City of Mosques”.
33%
percent of Dhaka
households
lack access to
the city’s water
supply. Rainwater
harvesting for
new homes is
mandatory.
83%
