77% Bangladeshi women have no say in childbearing: UNFPA

A staggering 77% of women in Bangladesh are unable to make independent decisions about childbearing, significantly higher than the global average of 63%, according to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).

This statistic was unveiled yesterday in UNFPA's State of World Population Report 2025, titled "The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World."

"The real crisis is not about numbers—it is a crisis of reproductive agency," said Catherine Breen Kamkong, UNFPA representative in Bangladesh, at the report's launch event held at the UNFPA Bangladesh Country Office in Dhaka.

The report shows that only 23% of Bangladeshi women have been able to achieve their desired number of children, well below the global average of 37%. It highlights economic hardship, lack of education and healthcare, and social pressures as major barriers to reproductive autonomy.

Additional data shows 11% of Bangladeshi women cannot independently decide on using contraception, 16% have been pressured to have a child against their wishes, and 15% were pressured to use contraception or avoid pregnancy even when they wanted a child.

Another 10% reported being unable to access essential healthcare services, while 33% of women stated they are unable to refuse sexual intercourse.

Unintended pregnancies remain widespread, with one in three women in Bangladesh having experienced one. The report attributes high adolescent birth rates to early marriage and limited access to sexual education and contraception.

Kamkong urged the government to increase health sector investment, recommending a rise in health expenditure from 0.7% of GDP and 2% of the national budget to 5% of GDP and 15% of the budget.

"This would ensure access to essential reproductive health services, a robust midwifery workforce, and a steady supply of lifesaving medicines and contraceptives," she said.

"Let's build a future where reproductive decisions are supported—not judged—and where every person can plan their life with freedom, safety, and dignity," she added.

Despite the challenges, the report notes growing awareness among Bangladeshi youth, with many expressing a desire for smaller families and prioritising education and a secure future for their children.

In the demographic context, Bangladesh's population stands at 175.7 million as of 2025, with half being women and about two-thirds (115 million) in the working-age group, presenting potential demographic dividends. However, the population is also ageing, with 7% (12 million) aged 65 and above.

While Bangladesh was not one of the 14 countries surveyed directly for the report, data were carefully analysed from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2022.

Globally, the report describes a "fertility paradox," where some countries like South Korea face record-low fertility rates (0.8 children per woman), while others like Niger have high rates (5.8). Bangladesh's Total Fertility Rate is at the replacement level of 2.1, but it still faces challenges from adolescent pregnancies and limited reproductive health access.

Across the 14 countries studied, most people desire two children but often have fewer due to a lack of resources or support, while others have more than planned. This paradox reflects structural gaps in reproductive health systems worldwide.