A city cannot be deemed livable or good simply by possessing large infrastructure or economic growth. It also requires a pollution-free environment, quality civic services, good governance, and a sustainable economy. Due to lagging in these indicators, no Bangladeshi city has made it to the list of the world’s top 500 cities. In fact, the global ranking of the country’s major cities has further declined over the past year.
The 2026 Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics, a UK-based economic consultancy, evaluated a thousand cities across 163 countries based on five key indicators: economy, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance.
Among the eight Bangladeshi cities included in the list, Dhaka leads. However, the capital, which was ranked 482nd last year, has slipped 33 places to 515th this year. As a result, Dhaka has fallen out of the list of the world’s top 500 cities.
The positions of other cities in the country are also not very encouraging. Rajshahi has dropped 66 places to 779th, Chattogram 14 places to 763rd, and Khulna is at 811th. Sylhet ranks 834th, Mymensingh 895th, and Bogura has fallen 32 places to 926th. Only Cumilla has maintained its previous position, remaining at 883rd.
In Oxford Economics’ index, a total of 100 points are allocated: 30 for economy, 25 for human capital, 25 for quality of life, and 10 each for environment and governance. The overall position is determined by considering the city’s economic size and growth, education, business environment, demographic trends, health, financial status, civic amenities, environment, climate risk, political stability, and civil rights.
Index-wise, Dhaka holds a comparatively better position among Bangladeshi cities in terms of economy, ranking 286th globally in this indicator. Its position in human capital is even better, at 178th. However, Dhaka’s environmental index ranking is a dismal 930th. Consequently, its relatively strong performance in economy and human capital could not prevent a decline in its overall ranking.
The position of Bangladeshi cities in the environmental index is particularly weak. Sylhet ranks 735th, Rajshahi 852nd, Mymensingh 940th, Chattogram 924th, and Khulna 974th in this indicator.
Professor M. Mizanur Rahman of the Geography and Environmental Studies department at Rajshahi University stated that Rajshahi’s environment is deteriorating day by day. Increasing air pollution, deforestation, intense heat, water scarcity in the Barind region, and river pollution are putting immense pressure on the city’s environment.
In terms of quality of life, Rajshahi leads among Bangladeshi cities, ranking 542nd globally in this index. Khulna follows at 612th, and Chattogram at 653rd.
According to urban experts, ensuring a city’s livability requires not just the construction of new infrastructure but also the effective management of existing facilities. Excessive population pressure, traffic congestion, pollution, waterlogging, water scarcity, and limitations in civic services are diminishing the quality of urban life.
Dr. Md. Mohinuzzaman, Chairman of the Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management at Noakhali Science and Technology University, noted that cities like Dhaka and Chattogram are simultaneously experiencing waterlogging and water scarcity. Roads are submerged during rainfall, while various areas face a shortage of essential water. This situation clearly highlights the environmental risks faced by these cities.
Experts suggest that decentralizing economic activities is crucial to alleviate the excessive population pressure on Dhaka. Increasing investment, employment opportunities, education, and healthcare services at the district and sub-district levels could reduce the influx of people migrating to the capital in search of work.
Simultaneously, emphasis must be placed on planned housing, environmental conservation, public transport, water and waste management, and improving the quality of civic services. Otherwise, even with economic growth and infrastructural development, achieving the desired level of livability in Bangladeshi cities will remain challenging.
The top five cities in the Global Cities Index are New York, London, Paris, Seattle, and San Francisco. In South Asia, cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad in India are ranked higher than Bangladesh’s cities.
Meanwhile, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2026 Global Livability Index also presents a negative picture regarding Dhaka’s position. The results from both international indices underscore the urgent need to improve the environment, civic amenities, and quality of life in Bangladeshi cities, including the capital.
