Drawing on livelihoods approach and household survey data this study measures livelihood security in selected settlements in Bangladesh. Five security domains such as economic, food, health, education and empowerment were chosen and indices were computed based on a number of components. Economic security is the dominating component in the overall livelihoods followed by food. Irrespective of regional differences in opportunities, people in settlements appear equally insecure. This does not mean that the same intervention strategy is equally applicable everywhere. There are geographical differences in the component indicators. Access to assets/capital endowment should be taken into consideration to design programmes. Areas where land/housing/ponds more accessible, livestock/fisheries based livelihoods may be supported. Education enhancing policies are equally suitable for everywhere.