Pray for Bangladesh
Learn about and pray for Bangladesh in just 5 minutes per week!
Receive one email per week for 13 weeks about Bangladesh’s history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.
WEEK 1
Prayercast
Pray along with a local believer for their nation.
WEEK 2
Operation World
Pray through Operation World's country profile.
WEEK 3
World Watch List
Pray through the country's persecution profile.
WEEKS 4-13
People Groups
Pray for the country's 10 largest unreached people groups.
Introduction
Bangladesh is the 8th most populous country in the world, has the 4th largest Muslim population, and is home to the largest unreached people group in the world, the Shaikh.
Known for its farming and textile industry, Bangladesh has been on a long road to lift its people out of poverty and diversify its economy. The country is still plagued by pollution, waterborne diseases, lack of infrastructure, poor safety standards, and low literacy rates.
These deep needs have provided the church an open door to demonstrate God’s love for them through relief work and sharing the gospel. This has led to church growth among low-caste Hindus and progress reaching unreached people groups.
Read on to learn how you can pray for Bangladesh.
Fast Facts
Capital City: Dhaka
Population: 170 million (99% unreached)
People Groups: 311
10/40 Window: Yes
Major People Groups: Bengali 98%
Religion: Muslim 89%, Hindu 10%
Language: Bangla, English
GDP Per Capita: $4,200
Literacy Rate: 73%
Did you know? Bangladesh is home to the world’s largest delta, formed by the confluence of the Brahmaputra, Ganges, and Meghna rivers.
Pray for the unreached people groups of Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a small, but densely populated nation of 170 million people. It is almost 90% Muslim and is home to the world’s largest unreached people group.
Below are the 10 largest unreached people groups in Bangladesh:
| Name | Religion | Population |
| 1. Shaikh | Islam | 132,871,000 |
| 2. Sylhet | Islam | 12,224,000 |
| 3. Namassej Chandel | Hinduism | 2,146,000 |
| 4. Sayyid | Islam | 1,825,000 |
| 5. Rajbansi | Hinduism | 1,585,000 |
| 6. Kayastha | Hinduism | 1,488,000 |
| 7. Jola | Islam | 1,357,000 |
| 8. Deaf | Islam | 1,283,000 |
| 9. Bihari | Islam | 946,000 |
| 10. Rohingya | Islam | 888,000 |
What is the largest religion in Bangladesh?
The largest religion in Bangladesh is Islam (89%), followed by Hinduism (8%).
What is the largest unreached people group in Bangladesh?
The largest unreached people group in Bangladesh is also the largest unreached people group in the world - the Shaikh.
How many unreached people groups are in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh has 289 unreached people groups: 188 are Hindu, 89 are Muslim, and 19 are Buddhist.
Pray for Christians being persecuted
Bangladesh is ranked #26 on the 2024 World Watch List published by Open Doors.
World Watch List
You can learn about Christian persecution and pray for our brothers and sisters who being persecuted around the world by praying through the Open Doors’ World Watch List.
“[God] has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.”
How to pray for Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a small, densely populated South Asian country home to the world’s largest unreached people group, high levels of poverty and Christian persecution.
Please pray for:
- Church growth and church planting movements to take place among the Shaikh and other unreached people groups
- Inroads for the gospel to be made among the frontier people groups
- Corruption to end in the government and for economic benefit to flow to the people
- Rohingya refugees from Myanmar to be loved and care for by the church
“In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.“
Pray for Bangladesh
“Slow drip” your learning and prayers for Bangladesh: its history, geography, persecution profile, and largest unreached people groups.