racing ahead

Bangladesh is set to notch up two more points to land at number seven by 2010 among the world's most populous countries. The country today holds the ninth position with a population of 124.7 million people. According to the 1999 World Population Data Sheet, at the rate of its current annual growth of 1.8 per cent, Bangladesh's population is likely to reach 150.2 million by the year 2010. On an average, the life expectancy of men was found to be 59 years and that of women was 58 years.