Sylhet is one of the wealthiest divisions in Bangladesh, largely due to three pillars: foreign remittances, natural resources, and agriculture (specifically tea).
The massive inflow of remittances from the British Bangladeshi community—and increasingly from expats in the Middle East and North America—has created a unique local economy. This capital influx has driven a decades-long boom in the real estate, retail, and service sectors. The cost of living in Sylhet City is consequently among the highest in the country.
Furthermore, Sylhet is the powerhouse of Bangladesh's energy sector. The gas fields in Habiganj and Sylhet districts supply a vast majority of the country’s natural gas, fueling national industries and power plants. Tourism is another rapidly expanding economic driver, as domestic and international travelers flock to the region's resorts, forests, and wetlands.