Chakaria Upazila lies within a mixed landscape of coastal plains, hill ranges, and river valleys, where flood-prone lowlands and hill-foot zones dominate. It is bordered by Lohagara and Satkania of Chattogram on the north, Cox’s Bazar Sadar on the south, Bandarban District’s hill areas on the east, and Maheshkhali and Pekua on the west.
Road Network:
Chakaria is well-connected through major highways and dense secondary roads, supporting efficient local and regional travel.
A major regional highway intersects the upazila, complemented by a high-density network of zila, union, and village roads that ensure widespread connectivity across both rural and peri-urban zones.
Chakaria
Chakaria demonstrates strong early warning inclusion supported by high electricity coverage at 96.14%, ensuring reliable access to communication during emergencies. Internet usage is comparatively better than many surrounding upazilas, with 36.67% overall use, though the gender divide remains notable: 27.21% of women use the internet compared to 46.49% of men. Mobile ownership is similarly favourable at 66.5% overall, yet again showing a gender disparity with 53.68% of women and 79.81% of men owning mobile phones. Despite these gaps, the overall digital environment in Chakaria remains stronger than in many coastal or char regions, enabling timely communication and dissemination of early warnings. As a result, Chakaria’s early warning inclusion is good.
WASH and shelter conditions in Chakaria are comparatively weak. Sanitation coverage stands at only 43.8%, while handwashing facilities are accessible to just 49.48% of households. Housing structures reveal significant vulnerability, as 59.9% of homes are kancha and 7.13% are jhupri, leaving a majority of households exposed to seasonal hazards. Although 16.99% of houses are pucca, the concentration of temporary structures places most families at risk. These factors together indicate a low overall WASH and shelter status.
Chakaria faces a very high risk of displacement. With a population density of 1,134 people per km², combined with the dominance of fragile kancha and jhupri housing, the upazila remains highly susceptible to disaster-related movement. Low sanitation coverage further compounds vulnerability, increasing the likelihood that floods, cyclones, or tidal surges will trigger widespread displacement. These interlinked structural and environmental challenges place Chakaria among the upazilas with the highest displacement risk.
Economic participation in Chakaria reflects deep gender disparities. Although male engagement in education, employment, or training is considerably stronger, women experience significant barriers, as seen in persistently high female NEET rates. This gap limits household resilience and reduces the capacity of women to contribute to economic stability within their communities. Overall livelihood participation in Chakaria therefore remains medium–low, with women disproportionately affected.
Access to resources and decision-making is similarly constrained for women. Female mobile ownership is relatively low at 53.68%, and female internet usage at 27.21% underscores continuing digital exclusion. These limitations reduce women’s opportunities to access financial services, gather crucial information, or participate actively in community decision-making spaces. Such constraints reinforce broader social and economic inequalities and impede inclusive development.
Health services in Chakaria are notably strong, with 19 Union Health Centres and 46 community clinics providing wide primary healthcare coverage. The upazila also benefits from 15 private hospitals, creating a robust public–private mix. Although NGO health services remain limited with only two facilities, the overall network of health service providers ensures good access to essential care for most residents. As a result, Chakaria’s health service availability is rated as good.
Education services in Chakaria are highly developed, particularly at the foundational level. The upazila hosts 178 primary schools, providing extensive coverage for early education. While the number of secondary schools (34) and colleges (6) is modest relative to the size of the population, the educational landscape is significantly strengthened by 503 other learning institutions, including madrashas, vocational centres, and non-formal educational facilities. This exceptionally high number of alternative institutions broadens access to diverse learning pathways. Overall, Chakaria’s education system is very strong and highly supportive across multiple levels, resulting in a very good overall rating.