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Bangladesh

Let me paint you a familiar picture.

It’s the end of a long workday, and you’re clocking out from your 9-to-5 job. As you step outside, the bustling streets of Dhaka greet you with their usual chaos—gridlocked traffic, the blare of car horns, bicycles weaving through the congestion, and a sea of people, all trying to make their way home.

For the average Bangladeshi, life—the good and the bad—never pauses. Even as news of political unrest and humanitarian challenges fills their screens, the rhythm of daily survival continues. In the midst of it all, will someone send them hope?

How can we use the tools in our hands to make Jesus known in a country where 171.98 million people have never heard the hope of the Gospel?

Faith and Tech by the Numbers

Percentage of people identifying as Christians out of Bangladesh’s total population

Percentage of Unreached population in Bangladesh

In a country of 175 million people, only 0.3% are followers of Jesus. This means that 98.9% of the population has yet to encounter the life-transforming message of the Gospel (Joshua Project, n.d.)

The digital landscape, however, is a wide-open door:

Total internet uses in Bangladesh overtime

Complementing the country’s development, Bangladesh has experienced a continuous and steady increase in the number of internet users.

Internet Access compared to Global Average

While global connectivity continues to improve, this stark contrast indicates that nearly 6 in 10 people in Bangladesh still lack internet access. Limited infrastructure, affordability issues, and digital literacy gaps could be contributing factors.

Most used social media platforms in Bangladesh

Despite this gap, social media usage among connected individuals is vibrant and concentrated. This suggests that while overall internet access is still growing, social media—especially video-centric and Meta-owned platforms—plays a central role in the digital lives of Bangladeshis who are already online.

  • 77.7 million internet users
  • 60 million active social media users
  • 60 million on Facebook
  • 46.5 million on TikTok
  • 185 million mobile connections

These numbers represent not just data, but real people—families, students, workers—each in need of hope.

Trending Topics in Bangladesh in 2024

In 2024, the country’s online space was flooded with conversations about political and social issues.

Protesters climb a public monument as they celebrate after getting the news of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Aug. 5, 2024. To the right of the monument, a portrait of Hasina has been defaced. Photo Credit: The Diplomat.

The Quota Reform Movement

What started as a demand for government job reforms quickly escalated into a nationwide movement calling for political change. Social media became the heartbeat of the movement, as people shared their frustrations and hopes online.

Rohingya refugees in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, mark the fifth anniversary of their flight from Myanmar during a military crackdown. Photo Credit: Aljazeera.

Rohingya Refugee Crisis

With over a million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, the humanitarian crisis deepened when food rations were reduced, and reports surfaced of refugees being recruited to fight in Myanmar’s civil war. The crisis gripped the hearts of many, sparking compassion, outrage, and conversation online.

But in these moments of tension, there’s also an increased hunger for hope. People search for meaning, purpose, and answers—and the message of Jesus can meet them right where they are.

Persecution in Bangladesh

As of 2025, Bangladesh is ranked 24th on Open Door’s Top 50 World Watch List of most persecuted countries. Many converts of different religions are persecuted even to the point of death. The continuing political unrest resulting in riots and armed conflicts subsequently increased persecution of Christian churches.

A Nation Longing for Hope

With millions of people connected daily—believers and non-believers alike, the opportunity to proclaim hope has never been greater.

Pray for Bangladesh, for encouragement and protection for followers of Jesus and for opportunities for people to discover who Jesus is.

Take a Next Step

If you’re interested in reaching people in Bangladesh,
We’d love to hear from you.

    Reference List:

    1. Joshua Project. (n.d.). Bangladesh. Joshua Project. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://joshuaproject.net/countries/BG  
    2. Data Reportal. (n.d). Digital 2025 Bangladesh. Data Reportal. Retrieved March 3, 2025, from https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2025-bangladesh 
    3. Le Monde. (2024, August 31). The origins of Bangladesh’s student protest. Le Monde. Retrieved March 4, 2025 from https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2024/08/31/the-origins-of-bangladesh-s-student-protest_6724184_4.html
    4. The Guardian. (2025, March 6). World Food Programme cuts food rations for Rohingya in Bangladesh. The Guardian. Retrieved March 4, 2025, from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/mar/06/world-food-programme-food-rations-rohingya-bangladesh