Over 33% of people report illness, rate higher among women: Survey
High blood pressure remains the leading disease, affecting 78 per 1,000
Highlights:
- Diabetes affects 43 per 1,000, with higher rates in urban areas
- Average treatment cost stands at Tk2,487, higher in urban areas
- Over 51.2% rely on self-treatment or informal care at pharmacies
- Only 11% seek care at govt hospitals, 20% go for private facilities
Over 332 individuals per 1,000, or 33%, reported illness in the 90 days before the Health and Morbidity Status Survey (HMSS) 2025, according to findings released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
The survey shows women recorded a higher rate of illness than men.
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The HMSS 2025 was unveiled at the BBS Auditorium in Dhaka today (30 November, where Statistics and Informatics Division Secretary Aleya Akter attended as chief guest.
Health Services Division Additional Secretary Md Hujur Ali was present as special guest, while BBS Director General Mohammed Mizanur Rahman chaired the event.
The survey found illness rates of 333.30 per 1,000 people in rural areas and 331.04 in urban areas. Women reported an illness rate of 354.6 per 1,000, compared to 309.2 among men.
Hypertension or high blood pressure topped the list of the 10 most common diseases at 78.28 per 1,000 people, followed by peptic ulcer, diabetes, arthritis, skin disease, heart disease, asthma, osteoporosis, hepatitis and diarrhoea.
Illness increased sharply with age, rising from 232 per 1,000 among children under one to 744 among those aged 75–79 years.
The survey reported an average medical expenditure of Tk2,487 per person in the three months preceding the data collection period. Women spent Tk2,576 on average, higher than men at Tk2,387.
Most respondents relied on pharmacies or self-treatment, with 51.2% seeking care from informal sources. Only 11.5% sought treatment at government facilities, while about 20% went to private providers.
Among women aged 15–49 years, the national Caesarean section rate reached 49.3%. The rate stood at 53.3% in urban areas and 48.1% in rural areas.
The average cost of childbirth was Tk22,655, including Tk5,658 for antenatal care and Tk13,060 for delivery. Expenditure was higher in urban areas at Tk26,360, compared to Tk21,554 in rural areas.
The survey also found that 5.2% of the population experiences physical or mental disability, with a slightly higher rate of 5.6% in urban areas.
Among people aged 18 years and above, the disability rate increased to 7.1%. Disability-related treatment expenditure averaged Tk7,269 in rural areas and Tk5,417 in urban areas.
Tobacco use among people aged 15 years and above stood at 26.7%, including 27.7% in rural areas and 24.1% in urban areas.
The survey recorded tobacco use at 37.9% among males and 16.5% among females.
Drug use was reported at 0.8%, but monthly expenditure was comparatively high at Tk1,427 in urban areas and Tk556 in rural areas.
During the open discussion following the presentation, participants highlighted the need for stronger inter-ministerial coordination in the health sector.
They said the HMSS 2025 would support national budget planning, social protection initiatives, local-level health strategies and monitoring of Sustainable Development Goals.
