The Chittagong Hill Tracts is a region consisting three hilly districts of the south-eastern part of Bangladesh â Khagrachari, Bandarban, and Rangamati â adjoining international boundaries with Myanmar on the southeast, the Indian states of Tripura on the north and Mizoram on the east. It is a extensively hilly area and home to a variety of tribal peoples in the country, which makes up almost 49% of the total population of the region.
In Bangladesh, there are many indigenous peoples living in the other parts of the country, but the majority of these peoples live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. Among all of them, the Chakmas are the largest, followed by the Marmas and the Tripuris. Also a good number of mainstream Bengalis live in this area.
The indigenous peoples of CHT has maintain their unique and different lifestyle from the mainstream Bengali population of the country. Most of these ethnic groups are matriarchal. Their agricultural system is based on grow Jhum cultivation. Some of those groups are still engaged hunting with bows and arrows.
According to 2022 census, Bengalis are the largest ethnic group in Bandarban District(58.85%) and Khagrachhari District(51.07%) and second largest in Rangamati Hill District(42.42%) with almost equal to Chakma people(42.67%) .
They are largest ethnic group in Naikhongchhari Upazila (83.48%), Langadu Upazila(76.75%), Lama Upazila (76.22%), Matiranga Upazila (75.10%), Manikchhari Upazila (73.57%), Ramgarh Upazila (73.14%), Alikadam Upazila (60.64%), Bandarban Sadar Upazila (56.97%), Kaptai Upazila (55.31%), Rangamati Sadar Upazila (52.33%), Kaukhali Upazila (44.88%) and Khagrachhari Sadar Upazila (40.77%).
According to 2022 census, Chakmas are the largest ethnic group in Rangamati Hill District (42.67%) and second largest in Khagrachhari District(24.53%).
They are the largest ethnic group in Juraichhari Upazila(91.15%), Naniarchar Upazila(79.89%), Barkal Upazila(69.33%), Bagaichhari Upazila(66.19%), Dighinala Upazila(53.38%), Lakshmichhari Upazila(51.33%), Panchhari Upazila(44.04%) and Mahalchhari Upazila(43.52%).
According to 2022 census, Marmas are Second largest ethnic group in Bandarban District(17.49%), third largest in Rangamati Hill District(7.93%) and fourth largest in Khagrachhari District (10.39%).
They are largest ethnic group in Rowangchhari Upazila, Guimara Upazila, Rajasthali Upazila, Thanchi Upazila, Ruma Upazila.
According to 2022 census, Tripuras are mainly found in Khagrachhari District(13.79%), Bandarban District(4.69%) and Rangamati Hill District(1.90%).
They are the second largest ethnic group in Matiranga Upazila(18.68%) and Ramgarh Upazila(13.28%).
According to 2022 census, Mru (Murong) are mainly found in Bandarban District(10.69%).
They are the second largest ethnic group in Alikadam Upazila(23.77%), Thanchi Upazila(23.57%) and Ruma Upazila (22%).
According to 2022 census, Tanchangyas are mainly found in Rangamati Hill District(4.31%) and Bandarban District(3.09%).
They are the largest ethnic group in Belaichhari Upazila (38.77%) and second largest in Rowangchhari Upazila(14.39%).
According to 2022 census, there are 12,311 Bom in CHT. Among them, 11854 (96.29%) Boms live in Bandarban District, constituting 2.46% of district's population.
They are third largest ethnic groups in Ruma Upazila(19.89%).
According to 2022 census, there are 4,176 Khyang in Chittagong hill tracts. Almost 60%(2502) khyang live in Bandarban District and other 40%(1670) in Rangamati district. They form 5.10% in Rajasthali Upazila, 2.35% in Rowangchhari Upazila, 1.21% in Thanchi Upazila, 1.18% in Bandarban Sadar Upazila and <1% in neighboring Upazila's.
According to 2022 census, There are 2,725 Chak people in Chittagong Hill tract. Almost entire 2662(97.69%) Chaks live in Bandarban District and more specifically 2,329(85.29%) Chaks live in Naikhongchhari Upazila, constituting 3.05% of Upazila's population.
According to 2022 census, there are 3,291 Khumi people in Chittagong hill tracts. Almost entire 3287(98.68%) khumis live in Bandarban District. They form 6.14% in Thanchi Upazila, 2.74% in Ruma Upazila, 1.57% in Rowangchhari Upazila and <1% in neighboring Upazila's.
According to 2022 census, there are 1,458 Pankho people in Chittagong hill tracts. Almost entire 1,398(95.88%) Pankhos live in Rangamati district. They form 1.21% in Belaichhari Upazila.
According to 2022 census, there are 216 Lushei people in Chittagong hill tracts. Their population is in Rangamati district 147, Bandarban District 58 and Khagrachhari district 11.
Islam remains the largest religion in the CHT, predominantly followed by the Bengalis. But indigenous peoples are mainly followers of Buddhism (41.74%). According to the 2022 Bangladesh census, the percentages of Muslims are: Bandarban 52.68%, Khagrachari 46.56% and Rangamati 36.22%. Most of the Christian population is in Bandarban (9.78% of the population). Khagrachari (0.62%) and Rangamati (1.32%) have only small numbers.
According to 2022 census, Islam is the largest religion in Bandarban District(52.68%), Khagrachhari district(46.59%) and the second largest in Rangamati district(36.26%).
According to 2022 census, Buddhism is the largest religion in Rangamati Hill District (57.25%) and second largest in Khagrachhari District(35.93%) and Bandarban District(29.53%).
According to 2022 census, Hinduism is third largest religion in Khagrachhari district(16.76%), Rangamati district(5.11%) and fourth largest in Bandarban District(3.43%). Hinduism is the second largest religion in all other districts of Bangladesh except CHT.
According to 2022 census, Christianity is third largest religion in Bandarban District(9.78%), fourth largest religion in Rangamati district(1.32%) and Khagrachhari district(0.62%).