The Bangladeshi Taka is the currency of Bangladesh, managed by Bangladesh Bank. It has been relatively stable in recent years as Bangladesh has experienced strong economic growth.
Economy
Bangladesh is a member of SAARC, OIC, Commonwealth, D-8, BIMSTEC.
Main industries include: Textiles, Jute, Garments, Tea processing, Paper newsprint, Cement, Chemical fertilizer.
Bangladesh is part of the World Trade Organization.
Imports are cotton, machinery, chemicals, iron and steel, foodgrains.
Major exports include garments, knitwear, agricultural products, frozen foods, jute, leather.
GDP: $460.2 billion (2023 est.).
GDP per capita: $2,765 (2023 est.).
Unemployment rate: 5.1% (2023 est.).
Inflation rate: 9.5% (2023 est.).
Main trading partners: United States, Germany, United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy.
Trade agreements: SAFTA, Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, Various bilateral agreements.
History
Previous currencies used: Pakistani rupee, Indian rupee (colonial period).
The taka was introduced in 1972 after Bangladesh's independence, replacing the Pakistani rupee. The name 'taka' comes from the ancient Sanskrit word for silver coin.
1972: BDT introduced, replacing Pakistani rupee
1975: Bangladesh Bank established as central bank
1976: First commemorative coins issued
2000: Introduction of new banknote security features
2011: New polymer banknote series introduced
2023: Digital payment systems expansion
Exchange rate peg: Managed float with periodic interventions.
General Information
ISO 4217 Code: BDT
Symbols: BDT/৳
Currency Subunits: 100 poisha
Central Bank: Bangladesh Bank
Monetary Policy: Managed floating exchange rate with inflation targeting framework. Focus on price stability while supporting export-oriented growth.
USD Exchange Rate: Variable (approximately 110-120 BDT per USD)
Pegged To: None (Floating)
Capital: Dhaka
Population: 167,184,465 (2023 est.)
Area: 147,570 km²
Languages: Bengali (official), English
Time Zones: UTC+6 (Bangladesh Standard Time)
Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of Government: Prime Minister (head of government), President (head of state)
Independence: March 26, 1971 (from Pakistan)
Ethnic Groups: Bengali 98%, Other 2%
Religions: Muslim 89.1%, Hindu 10%, Other 0.9%
Literacy Rate: 74.9% (2019 est.)
Transport: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Chittagong and Mongla ports, extensive road and rail networks, river transport
Communications: Expanding telecommunications, 39% internet penetration, widespread mobile usage
Energy: Natural gas 74%, Oil 9%, Hydroelectric 1%, Coal 3%, Other 13%
Countries Using This Currency: Bangladesh
Data Sources: Central Bank: Bangladesh Bank (bb.org.bd), Economic Data: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: Export Promotion Bureau Bangladesh, Demographic Data: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Geographic Data: Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Historical Data: Bangladesh Bank archives