South Asia • Updated July 2026

Country Risk Report

Bangladesh

Overall Risk Rating

High

Capital

Dhaka

Languages

Bengali (official), English widely used

Currency

Bangladeshi taka (BDT)

Executive Summary

Bangladesh is classified as a HIGH risk destination, driven principally by political instability and unrest during a fragile democratic transition. After long-serving prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024 by a student-led uprising and fled to India, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus governed until a general election held on 12 February 2026. Hasina’s Awami League was banned and excluded from the vote, and she was convicted in absentia and sentenced to death, calling for her supporters to resist. The election period saw significant political violence, with at least sixteen activists killed after the schedule was announced and a large security deployment, amid contestation between the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, the Jamaat-e-Islami-led alliance and new student-formed parties. Looted weapons from the 2024 uprising remain unaccounted for, and information warfare, including disinformation and deepfakes, has been prominent. Beyond political risk, Bangladesh hosts around a million Rohingya refugees in camps near Cox’s Bazar in the south-east, faces a low-level insurgency and communal tension in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and is highly exposed to flooding and cyclones. Dhaka and the main cities function, but strikes, protests and blockades can disrupt movement at short notice. Cover for Bangladesh is available on a specialist basis. The main cities are manageable with precautions, while periods of unrest, the Rohingya camp areas and the Chittagong Hill Tracts require particular caution and specialist advice.

Risk Matrix

Category	Risk Rating	Commentary
Armed Conflict	Low	No national conflict; a low-level insurgency persists in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Terrorism	Moderate	A latent extremist threat, with concerns about resurgence amid the political transition.
Kidnapping	Moderate	Kidnapping occurs, including express kidnapping and abduction linked to crime and politics.
Crime	Moderate	Mainly petty and opportunistic crime in cities; some violent crime and extortion.
Civil Unrest	High	Frequent political violence, strikes and protests during a fragile transition.
Health & Medical	Moderate	Reasonable private care in Dhaka; limited elsewhere.
Internal Travel	Moderate	Strikes, protests, flooding and poor road safety disrupt travel.
Digital / Cyber	Moderate	Internet shutdowns during unrest and pervasive disinformation.

Essential Precautions

1Treat political unrest as the primary risk, as strikes, protests and blockades can turn violent and disrupt movement at short notice.

2Avoid all protests and political gatherings, which can escalate quickly, particularly around the political transition.

3Exercise caution in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, where a low-level insurgency and communal tension persist and access may be restricted.

4Avoid the Rohingya camp areas near Cox’s Bazar unless with authorisation and support.

5Prepare for flooding and cyclones, which cause severe seasonal disruption.

6Use vetted transport and allow for disruption, as strikes can halt transport nationwide.

7Be alert to petty and opportunistic crime in urban areas, and to occasional extremist risk.

8Practise good digital hygiene given internet shutdowns during unrest and pervasive disinformation.

Security Situation

High

Bangladesh’s risk is driven by political instability and unrest during a fragile democratic transition, alongside natural-disaster exposure and localised issues in the south-east. Dhaka and the main cities function, but unrest can disrupt movement at short notice.

Dhaka and the Centre

High

Dhaka and the centre function but are the focus of political tension, protests and strikes that can turn violent.

Chittagong and the South-east (including Cox’s Bazar)

High

Chittagong and the south-east host the Rohingya camps near Cox’s Bazar and the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with refugee-related and communal tensions.

The North and Rajshahi

Moderate

The north and Rajshahi are generally calmer but affected by political tension and flooding.

The Rural Districts and Borders

Moderate

The rural districts and borders see smuggling, communal issues and disaster exposure.

Detailed Risk Assessment

Armed Conflict

Low

Bangladesh is not in national conflict, but a long-running low-level insurgency and communal tension persist in the Chittagong Hill Tracts between indigenous groups, settlers and the security forces.

Terrorism

Moderate

Bangladesh faces a latent extremist threat, with historical attacks by domestic and transnational groups and concerns about a resurgence of Islamist militancy amid the political transition and the rise of religious-political actors.

Kidnapping and Detention

Moderate

Kidnapping, including express kidnapping and abduction linked to crime, politics and extortion, occurs, and politically motivated detentions have been a feature of the transition. Risk rises during periods of unrest.

Crime and Lawlessness

Moderate

Crime is mainly petty and opportunistic in urban areas, including theft and scams, though violent crime, extortion and mugging occur, and looted weapons from the 2024 uprising remain in circulation. Policing capacity has been strained by the transition.

Internal Travel

Moderate

Strikes and protests can halt transport nationwide at short notice, and flooding, poor road safety and congestion complicate travel. Air and rail links serve main cities, and travel is manageable outside periods of unrest.

Health and Disease

Moderate

Reasonable private healthcare is available in Dhaka, but care is limited elsewhere, and serious cases may require evacuation, often to Bangkok or Singapore. Mosquito-borne and waterborne diseases are common.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivities

High

Bangladesh is a predominantly Muslim and conservative society where religious and political sensitivities are heightened during the transition and the rise of religious-political actors. Dress should be modest, alcohol is restricted, and travellers should avoid religious and political topics and defer to local guidance.

LGBT Travellers

High

Same-sex relationships are criminalised and face severe legal penalties and strong social hostility, and activists have been attacked. LGBT travellers face serious risk and should exercise absolute discretion, including over digital content.

Diplomatic and Government Situation

High

Bangladesh is in a fragile transition, with a February 2026 election held under the interim government’s successor arrangements, the Awami League banned, Hasina convicted in absentia and urging resistance, and heightened tension with India. Consular support is available in Dhaka.

Digital and Cyber Threats

Moderate

The authorities have imposed internet shutdowns during unrest, disinformation and deepfakes are pervasive around the political transition, and monitoring occurs. Travellers should practise good digital hygiene.

Vaccinations & Health Hazards

Strongly Recommended

Hepatitis A and Typhoid
Recommended due to contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis B and Tetanus
Recommended for many travellers.
Japanese Encephalitis
Consider for rural or long stays.
Rabies
Consider for rural or long stays.

Other Health Hazards

Mosquito-borne illness: Dengue is a major seasonal risk; take bite-avoidance measures.
Flooding: Monsoon flooding causes disruption and waterborne disease risk.
Food and water hygiene: Practise strict hygiene; waterborne illness is common.
Air quality: Dhaka has severe seasonal air pollution.
Routine vaccines: Ensure all primary courses and boosters are up to date on the UK schedule.

Choosing the Right Insurance

Cover for Bangladesh is available on a specialist basis. The main cities are manageable with standard precautions, while periods of unrest, the Rohingya camp areas and the Chittagong Hill Tracts require particular caution, and cover should include medical and evacuation provisions.

Get a Quote Gulf Transit Cover Speak to an Advisor

Annex A — Key Risk Dynamics

Checkpoints and Detention Triggers

Police and army checkpoints increase during unrest and elections; cooperate calmly. The Hill Tracts and camp areas may require permits and have access restrictions. Carry ID and a clear travel purpose. Do not photograph security forces, protests or installations.

Kidnapping and Detention Dynamics

Express and criminal kidnapping occurs in urban areas, linked to crime and extortion. Politically motivated detention has featured in the transition. Risk rises during unrest and after dark. Camp and Hill Tracts areas carry additional risk and restrictions.

High-Risk Travellers

Travellers during unrest face protest, strike and violence risk. Journalists and activists face detention and harassment risk. Camp-area visitors face restrictions and tensions. Hill Tracts travellers face insurgency and access restrictions.

Annex B — Key Preparation & Checklists

Essential Preparation and Medical

Track the political situation and avoid travel during periods of unrest. Hold medical and evacuation cover. Use reputable transport and allow for disruption. Prepare for flooding and cyclones.

Digital Security and Checkpoints

Plan for internet shutdowns during unrest. Be alert to pervasive disinformation and deepfakes. Practise good digital hygiene. Limit public location sharing.

Movement and Operational Security

Avoid protests and plan around strikes and blockades. Avoid the camps and Hill Tracts without authorisation. Use reputable providers. Avoid flood-affected areas in the monsoon.

Conduct and Legal Compliance

Dress modestly and respect religious norms. Avoid political and religious topics amid the transition. Never photograph security forces or protests.

This report is provided for information only and does not constitute travel or security advice. Ratings are indicative and subject to change without notice. Confirm current conditions with Hotspot Cover before any deployment.