Pakistan vs Bangladesh
Pakistan
Bangladesh
| Metric | Pakistan | Bangladesh |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Islamabad | Dhaka |
| Population | 255,219,554 | 175,686,899 |
| Area (km²) | 881,912 | 148,460 |
| Population density (/km²) | 289 | 1,183 |
| GDP per capita (USD) | $1,600 | $2,600 |
| Region | Southern Asia | Southern Asia |
| Currency | PKR | BDT |
| Languages | Urdu, English | Bengali |
| Main religions | Islam | Islam, Hinduism |
| Time zone | UTC+5 | UTC+6 |
Green highlights the higher value (or higher GDP per capita). Figures are approximate.
At a glance
Pakistan and Bangladesh are both located in Asia (both in Southern Asia). Pakistan has the larger population — about 1.5× the population of Bangladesh, while Pakistan covers more land area.
For full geographic detail, see the Pakistan map and the Bangladesh map.
Two wings, 1,600 km apart
When British India was partitioned in 1947, Pakistan was created in two parts: West Pakistan (today's Pakistan) and East Pakistan (today's Bangladesh), separated by about 1,600 km of Indian territory. The eastern wing had the larger population, but political, military and economic power was concentrated in the west.
Language and the road to 1971
The first major rupture came over language. When Urdu was promoted as the sole national language, Bengali speakers in the east protested; on 21 February 1952 police fired on student demonstrators in Dhaka. That date is now marked worldwide as International Mother Language Day, and Bengali was later accepted as a national language of Pakistan.
Tensions grew through the 1960s and peaked after the 1970 election, which an East Pakistani party won outright but was not allowed to form a government. In March 1971 the army launched a crackdown in the east, and a nine-month war followed. Bangladesh declared independence and, with Indian military intervention, Pakistani forces surrendered in December 1971. The scale of the killings during the war, and whether Pakistan should formally apologise, remain sensitive issues between the two states. Pakistan recognised Bangladesh in 1974.
How they compare today
Pakistan has the larger population and more than five times the land area, ranging from Arabian Sea coast to the Karakoram and Hindu Kush. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries on Earth, mostly flat delta land built by the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers. Over recent decades Bangladesh's export-led garment industry helped it overtake Pakistan in GDP per capita and in several human development measures.
Both are Muslim-majority, and both are cricket-mad, but their main languages are different: Urdu (with regional languages like Punjabi, Sindhi and Pashto) in Pakistan, Bengali in Bangladesh.
A thaw since 2024
Relations were distant for most of the period after 1971. Since Bangladesh's change of government in 2024, the two countries have moved to ease visas and expand direct trade, though as of 2026 the relationship is still developing.
Frequently asked questions
- Was Bangladesh part of Pakistan?
- Yes. From 1947 to 1971 Bangladesh was East Pakistan, the eastern wing of Pakistan. It became independent after the 1971 war.
- Why is 21 February important for Bangladesh?
- On 21 February 1952, students in Dhaka protesting for Bengali to be recognised as a national language of Pakistan were shot by police. The day is now International Mother Language Day.