Dhaka tops lead exposure in children, pregnant women
UNB :
New findings reveal that 38% of children aged 12-59 months and nearly 8% of pregnant women have blood lead levels above safe thresholds, with Dhaka (65%) most affected.
Lead poisoning threatens brain development, with impact across socio-economic groups; over half of affected children in the richest quintile and 30% in poorer groups.
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), in partnership with UNICEF and other partners, released the preliminary findings of MICS 2025, the most comprehensive survey on children and women in Bangladesh, on Sunday.
BBS Director General Mohammed Mizanur Rahman and UNICEF Representative in Bangladesh Rana Flowers were present.
The survey reveals that 1.2 million more children are subjected to child labor in Bangladesh, while almost four out of 10 children have worrisome lead levels in their blood.
Based on nearly 63,000 households, MICS 2025 provides vital data to guide policies and programs, showing progress and persistent challenges affecting children’s health, nutrition, protection and development.
It covers 172 standards and 27 SDG indicators, aligned with national priorities and global standards. The survey provides estimates for all divisions, districts, and three city corporations, helping policymakers target inequalities.
“MICS 2025 comes at a critical time for Bangladesh and is a reflection of both progress and ongoing challenges,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh.
“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, and rising cesarean rates threaten women’s health.
When the rights to survive, thrive, and learn are respected for every child, it can be measured in an economically stronger Bangladesh. UNICEF commits to supporting the Government to turn this data into targeted action and change that leaves no child behind,” Rana Flowers said.
Aleya Akter, Secretary, Statistics and Informatics Division, noted that the MICS survey is more relevant than ever, given its expanded scope to include new modules such as anaemia testing and heavy metal exposure assessments among pregnant women and young children.
