Bangladesh has a population of approximately 169 million people, making it the eighth-most populous country in the world. Bangladesh has a diverse population, Islam is the official religion of Bangladesh, and it is practiced by approximately 83 percent of the population. The majority of Muslims adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam, while a small group adheres to the Shia branch. Interestingly, Bangladesh is said to have one of the world's largest Muslim populations. However, there are three other major religions in Bangladesh which includes Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.