Bangladesh study finds major threats to children’s wellbeing
Survey shows 38pc of young children exposed to lead, 12.9pc facing wasting, and child labor rising to 9.2pc across Bangladesh
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh’s most comprehensive national survey on children and women has revealed alarming trends in public health, nutrition, water safety, and child protection, painting a complex picture of progress alongside deepening vulnerabilities facing millions of families.
The preliminary findings of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025 — released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in partnership with UNICEF — are based on nearly 63,000 households across all districts and major cities.
Researchers say the data provides the clearest nationwide snapshot of living conditions in years, covering 199 indicators including Sustainable Development Goal benchmarks.
According to UNICEF officials, the survey arrives at a pivotal moment: while Bangladesh has reduced child marriage and child mortality, new crises are emerging that threaten long-term development.
Lead poisoning, rising malnutrition, widening gaps in maternal care, and a surge in child labour show that “millions of children are still being denied the right to survive and thrive,” according to UNICEF’s assessment.
One of the most alarming findings is the scale of lead exposure. The survey shows that 38 percent of children aged 12–59 months and nearly 8pc of pregnant women have blood lead levels above global safety limits — with Dhaka recording 65pc.
Lead poisoning severely damages brain development, and researchers say the crisis cuts across wealth groups: more than half of affected children come from the richest households.
Malnutrition indicators have also worsened. Wasting — a sign of acute malnutrition — rose from 9.8pc in 2019 to 12.9pc while maternal anaemia stands at 52.8pc. The adolescent birth rate has climbed to 92 per 1,000 girls, signaling gaps in reproductive health services.
Child protection trends are equally stark. Child labor has risen from 6.8pc to 9.2pc, placing an estimated 1.2 million more children at risk. Violence inside homes remains widespread, with 86pc of children experiencing violent discipline.
And although child marriage has fallen to 47pc, nearly one in two girls are still married before turning 18. Birth registration remains low — only 59pc of children are registered, and just 47pc hold birth certificates — leaving many without legal identity or access to essential services.
UNICEF researchers note that every dollar invested in child protection and social welfare yields up to ninefold returns in economic and social gains, underscoring the urgency of expanding protection systems and adolescent support programs.
Maternal and newborn health indicators raise further concern. Neonatal mortality remains high at 22 per 1,000 live births, making up over two-thirds of under-five deaths.
The survey also reports C-section rates at 75pc in institutional deliveries, far above global health guidelines, posing financial and health risks. Only 46pc of women receive antenatal care within the first four months of pregnancy, a gap UNICEF says must be urgently addressed.
Water and sanitation access present another critical challenge. While sanitation coverage has improved to 73pc, access to safely managed drinking water has dropped to 39.3pc, leaving more than 106 million people exposed to unsafe water.
Over 80pc of household samples and nearly half of water sources tested positive for E. coli, with researchers warning that climate-related events affected more than 10pc of sources last year.
Education indicators show high primary enrolment — around 80pc — but steep decline in attendance at higher levels. Many children complete primary school without mastering basic literacy and numeracy, and up to 7pc of primary-age children remain out of school.
Officials say the dataset will guide national policies in health, nutrition, water safety, education, and protection. UNICEF and development partners — including agencies from Switzerland, the United States, UNHCR, and UNFPA — will support the government in translating the findings into targeted interventions.
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