With a population of nearly 170 million, Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. As Total Fertility Rate (TFR) reaches near replacement level, the age structure of its population is changing steadily. While the highest 10.03 percent of the country’s total population belong to the age of 15-19 years and two-thirds of its population are in the working age group (18-60), nearly one in ten people are aged 60 years and above, indicating aging is becoming an emerging issue. Today the average life expectancy of a Bangladeshi is 72.4 years. 

Despite the fall in fertility, Bangladesh’s population will continue to grow largely due to the momentum effect. UN Population Division projects that Bangladesh's total population will reach its peak in 2053. Demographic trends have been identified as one of the megatrends affecting sustainable development globally. Other trends refer to climate change and increased frequency of disasters, inequality, urbanization and digital transformation.

The Population, Planning and Research (PPR) component of UNFPA generates and analyzes data to understand, manage and leverage demographic changes in Bangladesh aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), which envisions inclusive and sustainable economic development by harnessing the demographic dividend. 

• The unit provides technical support to improve government capacity to collect, analyze and disseminate disaggregated population data, including census. 
• It helps strengthen national capacity to use demographic intelligence to inform policies, plans, including flagship five-year plans, and programmes and their monitoring. 
• Through evidence-based policy advocacy, PPR works with both government and civil society organizations to realize ICPD three zeros and SDGs. 
• In addition, the unit provides cross-unit data support to design and implement programmes, including humanitarian response.