Every day, thousands of people arrive in Dhaka in search of survival and opportunity. They come from different parts of the country, including landless rural families, victims of river erosion, disaster affected communities, and unemployed agricultural workers. For most of them, migration is not a choice but a necessity shaped by poverty and vulnerability. Over time, this continuous movement has transformed the capital into one of the most densely populated cities in the world. With a population exceeding 18 million, Dhaka is now under extreme pressure that affects nearly every aspect of urban life.
Scale and Drivers of Migration: Rural to urban migration is the central driver of Dhaka's rapid and often unplanned expansion. Research shows that nearly 60 percent of urban growth in Bangladesh comes from migration from rural areas. At present, around 65 million people live in urban areas across the country, and a significant proportion is concentrated in Dhaka, making it one of the fastest growing megacities globally.
The causes of this movement are deeply rooted in both economic hardship and environmental stress. Rural poverty, lack of employment opportunities, river erosion, and frequent natural disasters force people to leave their homes. Many families lose land and livelihoods due to flooding or erosion, leaving them with no stable source of income. At the same time, Dhaka acts as a strong pull factor, offering employment in construction, transport, domestic work, and informal small businesses.
However, this continuous inflow of people has created a mismatch between population growth and urban capacity. Housing, transport, water supply, sanitation, and healthcare systems are all under severe strain. As a result, informal settlements and slums have expanded rapidly, becoming a dominant feature of the city's landscape.
In Dhaka, many migrants are engaged in low paid informal jobs such as
rickshaw pulling, construction work, street vending, and domestic
service. These jobs often lack security, benefits, or stable income.
This traps many families in persistent urban poverty. At the same
time,congestion, pollution, and infrastructure stress increase the cost
of doing business, affecting national competitiveness.
Urban Crisis and Human Economic Impact: The rapid population growth has created a deep urban crisis. One of the most serious challenges is the shortage of affordable housing. A large portion of migrants are forced to live in slums and informal settlements where living conditions are extremely poor. Studies indicate that nearly half of Dhaka's urban population lives in such conditions, often without reliable access to safe drinking water, sanitation, healthcare, or education.
Overcrowding has intensified traffic congestion, making daily movement slow and inefficient. Air pollution and water pollution have also reached dangerous levels, increasing public health risks. Poor waste management and unplanned urban expansion further worsen the environmental situation. For many migrants, the hope of a better life turns into a daily struggle for survival in unsafe and unhealthy conditions with unstable income and limited social protection.
The impact of this migration is not limited to the city alone but affects the entire national economy. While migration may improve income opportunities for individuals, unplanned urbanization reduces overall productivity. Urban systems expand faster than institutions can provide services, leading to inequality, inefficiency, and reduced economic output.
In Dhaka, many migrants are engaged in low paid informal jobs such as rickshaw pulling, construction work, street vending, and domestic service. These jobs often lack security, benefits, or stable income. This traps many families in persistent urban poverty. At the same time, congestion, pollution, and infrastructure stress increase the cost of doing business, affecting national competitiveness.
At the same time, development must be distributed beyond Dhaka. Secondary cities such as Chattogram, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet should be developed as strong regional hubs. Expanding industries, higher education institutions, healthcare facilities, and administrative services in these cities can help distribute population more evenly across the country.
Decentralization is another essential solution. Bangladesh remains highly centralized, with most administrative, economic, and institutional power concentrated in the capital. This naturally encourages migration toward Dhaka. International experiences show that decentralization can significantly reduce pressure on major cities. Indonesia's decision to move its capital from Jakarta to Nusantara is one of the most ambitious urban restructuring efforts in recent decades. Jakarta has long suffered from extreme congestion, air pollution, land subsidence, and flooding, making it one of the most climate vulnerable megacities in the world. By shifting administrative functions to Nusantara, the government aims to reduce pressure on Jakarta while promoting balanced national development in Borneo. This move is not only administrative but also strategic, designed to redistribute population growth, stimulate investment in new regions, and reduce long term environmental risks in the old capital.
China offers another powerful example of planned regional development. Instead of concentrating all economic activity in Beijing or Shanghai, China created Special Economic Zones such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, and Chengdu. Shenzhen transformed from a small fishing town into a global technology and manufacturing hub within a few decades. Chengdu has become a major center for finance, logistics, and innovation in western China. These cities now absorb millions of workers, significantly reducing migration pressure on coastal megacities and creating more balanced national growth.
South Korea has also successfully implemented regional development strategies. While Seoul remains the political and economic center, the government has invested heavily in cities such as Busan and Incheon. Busan has developed into a major port and industrial city, while Incheon has become a logistics and aviation hub. Policies encouraging relocation of public institutions and industries outside Seoul have helped reduce regional inequality and improve living standards across the country.
These international experiences clearly demonstrate that when governments actively invest in decentralization and regional development, migration pressure on capital cities declines significantly. At the same time, economic opportunities become more evenly distributed, creating inclusive growth, reducing urban congestion, and improving national resilience.
Migration to Dhaka will continue because it reflects people's desire for better livelihoods and improved living standards. However, without proper planning, it will continue to create severe urban pressure and long term instability. The solution lies in creating opportunities where people live rather than forcing them to migrate for survival. A balanced development strategy that combines rural investment, regional city development, and decentralization can gradually reduce pressure on Dhaka. Only through such an approach can Bangladesh achieve sustainable urbanization, reduce inequality, and ensure inclusive national development.
The writer is Editor and CEO, News Network
