Total population stands 16.98cr

The country’s total population has increased by 2.75 per cent to 16.98 crore, according to the latest Population and Housing Census report prepared by the Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS).

The population has grown by some 46.70 lakh people in the BIDS report compared to the initial report prepared by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The initial BBS report put the number to 16.51 crore.

BIDS revealed the data after conducting a post enumeration check (PEC) on the BBS census.

BIDS Senior Research Fellow Dr Mohammad Yunus presented the PEC results at the NEC Conference room in the planning ministry Monday.

BIDS said 2.75 per cent people were left out in the BBS census.

They added the number in their list. However, BIDS did not provide any other data beyond the total population.

“The population of Bangladesh has increased to 16,98,28,911 people,” state minister for planning Prof Shamsul Islam said.

He also said it would be more informative if BIDS provides male and female numbers of the population.

The state minister said, “People were eager to know the population data. What is the total population, how many men and women, what is the number of expatriate Bangladeshis? It would be better if such information were published.

“BIDS could come up with this data if they want. They need to understand what kind of information the nation wants.”

Meanwhile, replying to the state minister, BIDS Director General Binayak Sen said BBS is the sole authority to publish any data related to the country. As per the law, BBS will disclose the details about the report. Director General of BBS, Matiar Rahman said BIDS conducted a report on the population and housing census. “We will need 5-7 days to adjust the figures. Then BBS will publish the detailed data.”

BIDS Director General Binayak Sen noted there was an undercount of 4.98 per cent in the census 2001 which dropped to 3.97 per cent in the census 2011.

According to the BIDS data, the number of undercounts is higher in urban areas – especially in cities – where, 3.70 per cent of the population was out of the census.

Besides, BIDS also said 2.79 per of the female population was undercounted while for the male population the rate was 2.67 per cent.

On the other hand, 2.75 per cent of undercount was reported in case of Muslims against 2.68 per cent of followers of other religions.