The Rohingya refugee population in Cox’s Bazar has risen sharply over the past year, increasing by nearly 179,000 people, according to new data released by UNHCR.

As of February 28, the total number of Rohingya refugees stands at 1,184,864, up from just over one million a year earlier. The surge reflects both continued arrivals from Myanmar and a steady rise in births within the camps.

Officials say around 30,000 to 35,000 children are born in the settlements each year, contributing significantly to population growth. At the same time, thousands continue to cross into Bangladesh amid ongoing instability in Myanmar, particularly following renewed violence in Rakhine State.

The UN agency attributes more than 144,000 of the increase to new arrivals, while over 34,000 are linked to newborns. Many of the recent arrivals have been identified through biometric systems but are yet to receive full refugee status, instead being issued family cards to access essential aid.

The number of Rohingya households has also expanded, reaching 246,415 families, a notable rise from the previous year.

The crisis traces back to the mass displacement triggered by Myanmar’s military operations in 2017, which forced over a million Rohingya to flee across the border. Despite international efforts, prospects for repatriation remain uncertain, leaving Bangladesh to manage one of the world’s largest refugee populations.

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