The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), in partnership with UNICEF, has released the preliminary findings of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025 (MICS 2025), the most comprehensive study to date on the condition of children and women in Bangladesh. The survey paints a sobering picture: child labor has surged, lead poisoning is widespread, and maternal health indicators remain deeply concerning.
Key Findings from MICS 2025 are as follows:-
Child Labor: 9.2% of children aged 5–17 are now engaged in labor, up from 6.8% in 2019. This increase places an additional 1.2 million children at risk. Lead Poisoning: 38% of children aged 12–59 months and 8% of pregnant women have blood lead levels above safe thresholds. Dhaka is the most affected, with 65% of children showing dangerous exposure.
Malnutrition: Wasting among children rose from 9.8% in 2019 to 12.9% in 2025. Maternal anaemia remains high at 32.8%. Adolescent Birth Rate: Increased from 83 to 92 per 1,000 girls, underscoring gaps in reproductive health services.
Violence Against Children: 86% of children have recently experienced violent discipline. Child Marriage: Declined modestly from 51.4% in 2019 to 47%, but nearly half of girls still marry before 18. Birth Registration: Only 59% of children under five are registered, and just 47% hold birth certificates. Health Risks: Neonatal mortality remains high at 22 per 1,000 live births.
Cesarean deliveries now account for 75% of institutional births, raising health and financial concerns. Water & Sanitation: While sanitation access improved to 73%, safely managed drinking water fell to 39.3%. Over 106 million people lack safe water, with widespread contamination by E. coli. Education: Primary enrolment is strong at 80%, but attendance drops sharply at higher levels. Many children complete primary school without mastering the basic skills.
Voices of the Keys: Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh, emphasized both progress and urgent challenges: “While declines in child marriage and child mortality show what’s possible, crises like lead poisoning and child labor are depriving millions of children of potential. Rising cesarean rates also threaten women’s health. UNICEF commits to supporting the Government to turn this data into targeted action and change that leaves no child behind.” Aleya Akter, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, highlighted the expanded scope of MICS 2025, which now includes modules on anaemia testing and heavy metal exposure among pregnant women and young children.
Experts warn that child protection investments yield enormous returns: each dollar invested generates nine fold social and economic benefits. The findings call for urgent action to: Strengthen child protection systems, Expand maternal and child health services, Ensure climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure, Improve education quality and attendance.
About MICS: Launched by UNICEF in the 1990s, the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is a global household survey program that provides internationally comparable data on children and women. MICS 2025 in Bangladesh covered nearly 63,000 households, measuring 172 standard and 27 SDG indicators, with estimates available for all divisions, districts, and three city corporations. UNICEF acknowledged the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the U.S. Government, UNHCR, UNFPA, and partners including IEDCR, in strengthening Bangladesh’s data systems and services for children and families.
