Bangladesh vs Maldives
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Bangladesh has 334.5 times as many people as Maldives (178 million vs 532 thousand in 2026). Bangladesh is 436.8 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Maldives ($14,615 vs $2,597). People live longer on average in Maldives (81.3 vs 74.9 years).
| Bangladesh | Maldives | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 177,818,044 | 531,517 |
| Yearly population change | +1.21% | +0.35% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 215 million | 590 thousand |
| Land area | 130,170 km² | 298 km² |
| Density | 1,366/km² | 1,784/km² |
| GDP | $456 billion (2025) | $7.7 billion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 (2025) | $14,615 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 years | 81.3 years |
| Births per woman | 2.14 | 1.56 |
| Urban population | 33% | 43% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Malé |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | Maldivian rufiyaa (MVR) |
| Calling code | +880 | +960 |
Share of world population: Bangladesh 2.15%, Maldives 0.01%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Bangladesh or Maldives?
Bangladesh: about 178 million people versus 532 thousand in Maldives (2026).
Is Bangladesh bigger than Maldives?
By land area, Bangladesh is larger: 130,170 km² versus 298 km².
Which economy is bigger, Bangladesh or Maldives?
Bangladesh, with a GDP of $456 billion versus $7.7 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).