According to the UNFPA’s State of World Population Report 2025, only 23% of women in Bangladesh can decide on the timing and number of their children. This includes decisions such as when to have children, how many, and the spacing between them. The global average stands at 37%.
The report cites lack of partner cooperation, economic insecurity, social pressure, limited healthcare access, and employment instability as major barriers. Data used in the report draws from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS).
Key findings include:
-26% of women in Bangladesh have fewer children than they want.
-17% of women end up having more than they planned.
-33% of women are unable to refuse unwanted sexual relations.
-23% of women and 22% of men are unable to access preferred contraceptive methods.
-32% of pregnancies are unintended.
UNFPA officials presented the data at an event in Dhaka on July 1. The report, titled The Real Fertility Crisis, moves beyond population explosion narratives and focuses on structural obstacles to reproductive rights. It highlights the need for accessible contraception, maternal healthcare, and legal and policy support.
The total fertility rate (TFR) in Bangladesh remains at 2.1, with couples increasingly opting for smaller families. The average life expectancy for women in Bangladesh is now 77, compared to the global average of 76.
Concerns were also raised regarding shortages of family planning supplies and delivery kits. UNFPA has formally requested urgent procurement support from the government to address the gap.
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