Origins & History
The Bengali people are an Indo-Aryan ethnolinguistic group native to the Bengal region, which today includes Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. Bengali identity crystallized during the medieval period through the Pala and Sena dynasties and was further shaped by Islamic influence from the 13th century onward. The Bengali language is the seventh most spoken language in the world.
Geographic Distribution
There are approximately 300 million Bengalis worldwide, making them one of the largest ethnic groups on Earth. Around 170 million live in Bangladesh (where they form 98 percent of the population), and roughly 100 million live in the Indian state of West Bengal, with smaller populations in the Indian states of Tripura, Assam, and Jharkhand.
Diaspora & Migration
The Bengali diaspora is substantial and growing. Major overseas communities are in the United Kingdom (particularly in East London), the United States (New York, New Jersey, Michigan), Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Italy. Bengali immigrants have played significant roles in industries from garment manufacturing to technology and cuisine.
About This Map
This map shows crowd perceptions of where Bengali populations live. Because Bengalis are numerous but sometimes categorized as broadly "Indian" or "Bangladeshi", votes here specifically highlight visibility of Bengali identity as distinct.
The map above shows crowd opinion, not official demographic data. Vote on the main map to contribute your own perception of where Bengali populations live.