Over 38% of Bangladeshi children aged 12–59 months now have unsafe blood lead levels, according to the preliminary findings released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) and UNICEF, which also flagged sharp rises in wasting, child labour, and maternal health risks.

UNICEF Representative Rana Flowers said the findings capture “both progress and deepening threats,” noting that while child mortality and child marriage rates have improved, lead poisoning, malnutrition and child labour are depriving millions of children of their potential.

The survey shows Dhaka is the worst affected by lead exposure, with 65% of children recording dangerous levels. Lead contamination spans all wealth groups—affecting over half of children in the richest households and 30% in poorer families.

Malnutrition has worsened: wasting increased from 9.8% in 2019 to 12.9% in 2025, while maternal anaemia stands at 52.8%. The adolescent birth rate rose from 83 to 92 per 1,000 girls, underscoring growing maternal health challenges.

Child labour now involves 9.2% of children aged 5–17—an increase that puts 1.2 million more children at risk than in 2019. Violence remains pervasive, with 86% of children subjected to violent discipline. Child marriage dropped to 47%, but nearly half of girls still marry before 18.

Water and sanitation indicators also raised concern. Safely managed drinking water access fell to 39.3%, leaving over 106 million people exposed to contamination. More than half of water sources and over 80% of household samples tested positive for E. coli.

Neonatal mortality remains high at 22 per 1,000 live births, making up 67% of under-five deaths, while C-section rates in institutional deliveries surged to 75%. Only 46% of women receive early antenatal care.

UNICEF and development partners pledged continued support to help the government into targeted policies ensuring children’s survival, development, and protection.