Rohingya Refugee Population in Bangladesh Reaches 1.18 Million, UN Data Shows

Photo: Collected

Arakan Now, 17 March 2026

The number of Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh has reached 1,184,864 people as of February 28, 2026, according to the latest data released by the government and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

The refugees are grouped into 246,415 families living across dozens of camps and settlements, mainly in the district of Cox’s Bazar. The total population has continued to rise since passing one million in 2023, with around 144,000 new arrivals fleeing renewed displacement and violence in Rakhine State, Myanmar, beginning in 2024.

Women and children make up the majority of the refugee population. Children under 15 account for about 45 percent, while women and children together represent roughly 78 percent of all refugees. Young people aged 15 to 24 make up around 19 percent, and about 4 percent are elderly.

The data also shows that many refugees face serious challenges. Around 12 percent of the population — more than 136,000 people — are identified as having specific needs, including disabilities, serious medical conditions, and protection concerns. Refugees are spread across 33 camps and settlements, with some of the largest populations recorded in several major camps, while about 34,000 people are currently living on the island settlement of Bhasan Char. Officials say the average refugee family has about five members, though some families are much larger.