This highly populated and impoverished democracy of 150 million people is burdened with natural disasters, chaotic government and illiteracy.

Corruption is prevalent in politics and the judiciary, and protests over electoral irregularities led to the suspension of democracy by the military in 2007.

Natural disasters occur frequently, and cyclone Sidr took over 5,000 lives in November 2007.

Despite this, the economy continues to grow at around 6%, driven by remittances and exports of low-cost garments.

The government's human rights record is poor, with reports of serious abuses by Bangladeshi security forces and widespread intimidation of journalists.

Bangladesh ranks a consistent 86th and 87th in Economic Competitiveness and Comparative Liveability respectively. The country suffers from severe deficiencies in trade freedom, government regulation, and having someone to rely on.

Image: Bangladeshi girls wave the national flag at the arrival of The Friendship Express in Darsana, in eastern Bangladesh from Kolkata on April 14, 2008. | Photograph: Lalage Snow/AFP/Getty Images

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