Bangladesh is famous for the remarkable ethnic and cultural homogeneity of its population. Over 97.5 % of its people are Bengalis; the remainder are Biharis, or non-Bengali Muslims, and indigenous tribal peoples. Bangladeshis are particularly proud of their valuable cultural and linguistic heritage because their independent nation is partially the result of a powerful movement to uphold and preserve their language and culture. Bangladeshis identify themselves closely with Bangla, their national language. One of the world's most densely populated nations, Bangladesh in the 1980s was caught in the vicious cycle of population development and poverty. Although the rate of growth had declined marginally in recent years, the rapid development of the population continued to be a tremendous burden on the nation. With 81.5 % of its people living in the nationside, Bangladesh was also one of the most rural nations in the Third World.

Since its birth in 1971, Bangladesh has suffered through both natural calamities and political upheavals. In July-September 1987, for example, the nation experienced its worst floods in more than thirty years, and floods during the same time in 1988 were even more devastating. In 1987 more than US$250 million of the economic infrastructure was destroyed, the main rice crop was severely damaged, and an around 1,800 lives were lost. The 1988 floods covered more than two-thirds of the nation, and more than 2,100 died from flooding and consequent disease. The nation also underwent a time of political unrest fomented by major opposition political parties. Enduring uncertainties as the 1990s approached were bound to have an impact on social development, particularly in the areas of education, development of the labor force, nutrition, and the building of infrastructure for sufficient health care and population control.