Teknaf Upazila occupies a narrow coastal strip between the Naf River and the Bay of Bengal, combining hilly terrain, marine coastlines, and low-lying flood-prone valleys. It is bordered by Ukhiya Upazila on the north, Myanmar across the Naf River on the east, the Bay of Bengal on the west, and the southernmost coastline of Bangladesh extending toward Saint Martin’s Island.
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Road Network:
Teknaf has strong north–south accessibility due to a continuous regional highway, but internal east–west movement is limited by hills and coastal constraints.
The regional highway forms the primary transport corridor, with zila and upazila roads branching into settlements. Road density is moderate to low toward the hilly east and coastal west, creating uneven internal accessibility.
Accessibility Rating: Medium
Teknaf shows mixed early warning inclusion, shaped by relatively lower electricity coverage at 95.58% but the highest internet usage among the assessed upazilas at 36.71%. Digital access, however, remains unequal: 22.69% of women and 50.61% of men use the internet, reflecting a substantial gender divide. Mobile ownership is moderate at 64.15% overall, and again shows disparity, with 48.21% of women and 79.96% of men owning mobile phones. Despite the gaps, Teknaf’s comparatively strong digital environment—including better-than-average female internet use—supports a more accessible communication landscape during emergencies. Overall early warning inclusion in Teknaf is moderate.
WASH and shelter conditions in Teknaf are uneven. Sanitation coverage stands at 47.86% and handwashing access at 53.8%, placing the upazila in a moderately performing category. However, the structural vulnerability of households remains a significant concern, with 44.02% of homes classified as kancha and a notably high share of jhupri structures at 17.27%. These fragile housing types expose large portions of the population to damage during storms, cyclones, and flooding, contributing to a medium–low overall WASH and shelter status.
Displacement risk in Teknaf is amplified by the high proportion of weak household structures. Although the population density is moderate at 859 persons per km², the combination of significant kancha housing and one of the highest shares of jhupri structures makes the area susceptible to disaster-related displacement. Moderate sanitation levels provide only limited resilience, resulting in an overall displacement risk rated as medium–high.
Livelihood participation in Teknaf reveals stark gender-based inequalities. The female NEET rate is the highest among all the assessed upazilas, at 66.81%, pointing to extremely limited economic or educational engagement for women. Male NEET is significantly lower at 17.19%, highlighting a deep gender divide in opportunities and income security. These disparities indicate very low overall livelihood resilience, driven primarily by the severe exclusion faced by women.
Access to resources and information shows a more nuanced pattern. Female mobile ownership stands at 48.21%, and female internet usage at 22.69%—figures that are higher compared to several other upazilas. Although gaps persist, women in Teknaf experience relatively better digital access, providing a somewhat stronger foundation for participation in household decisions, accessing services, and obtaining timely information. These indicators place women’s digital inclusion at a medium level.
Health service availability in Teknaf is very limited. The upazila has no UH&FWCs, only 7 Union Health Centres, and 15 community clinics, resulting in basic but insufficient coverage. The complete absence of private hospitals and the presence of just one NGO health facility further constrain access to essential care. This weak health infrastructure significantly restricts service availability, leading to a very low rating for the health sector.
Education services in Teknaf are among the most constrained in the region. The upazila has only 65 primary schools and 16 secondary schools, creating limited access to foundational and mid-level education. Higher education opportunities are almost nonexistent, with just one college available. The complete absence of other educational institutes—such as madrashas, vocational centres, or non-formal learning facilities—severely narrows pathways for skill development and alternative education. As a result, Teknaf’s overall education system is significantly underserved and earns a very low overall rating.