Dhaka, now ranked as the fourth largest city in the world with a population surpassing 24 million, is facing mounting challenges as thousands continue to pour into the already congested megacity each year.
Driven by poverty, the search for employment, and societal pressures, rural migrants see Dhaka as a city of opportunity despite its worsening traffic gridlock, housing shortages, and strained infrastructure.
According to the Population and Housing Census 2011, more than 12 million people lived in the Dhaka division at the time. In the years since, that number has nearly doubled, placing unprecedented pressure on public services, transportation networks, and the environment.
Experts warn that without urgent urban planning reforms and investments in regional development, Dhaka risks becoming increasingly unlivable, with pollution, congestion, and overcrowding continuing to rise.
