Chittagong vs Dhaka

Chittagong leads Dhaka by 2 points on the CIRA Index, 55 to 53. Chittagong grades better on 3 measures, Dhaka on 2; the same 35 measures from public sources for both.

Scores by each organisation's criteria

• CIRA Index: Chittagong 55, Dhaka 53
• OECD: Chittagong 52, Dhaka 48
• UN Tourism: Chittagong 62, Dhaka 54
• UNDRR: Chittagong 36, Dhaka 36

Theme by theme

• Demand and seasonality: Chittagong 69, Dhaka 50
• Economy and jobs: Chittagong 69, Dhaka 69
• Climate and hazards: Chittagong 25, Dhaka 20
• Water and environment: Chittagong 56, Dhaka 38
• Community and housing: Chittagong 75, Dhaka 88
• Access and continuity: Chittagong 38, Dhaka 42

Where Chittagong is stronger

• Extreme heat days: 16.2 days a year at or above 35°C (last 5 full years) (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, 2021–2025). Between 15 and 30: grade 2/4.
• Green space: 36.5 % of the urban area that is green or tree-covered (Land Use Policy / University of Dhaka (Siddique & Uddin), 2020). Between 30 and 40: grade 3/4.
• Early warning and emergency plan: An updated city plan with public early warning for heat, flood or fire (ReliefWeb & Save the Children Bangladesh, 2026). Grade 3/4.

Where Dhaka is stronger

• Access redundancy: 4 independent ways in: international airport, intercity rail, port, motorway (Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Railway, BIWTA, Roads and Highways Department, 2024). At or above 4: grade 4/4.
• Tourism crisis and recovery plan: A written destination crisis plan (Dhaka Tribune / Bangladesh Tourism Board, 2022–2024). Grade 2/4.

Country context (World Economic Forum)

• Bangladesh: #98 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026
• Bangladesh: #98 of 110 in the WEF Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026

Chittagong in full · Dhaka in full

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