Child labour, lead levels in children increase in Bangladesh: BBS report – New Age BD

Report on Bangladesh’s Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Survey Overview

Preliminary findings from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2025, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in partnership with UNICEF, reveal critical challenges to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The survey encompassed approximately 63,000 households across all 64 districts between October 2024 and June 2025.

Key Findings and SDG Implications

1. Increased Child Labour

   The national rate of child labour among children aged 5-17 has increased from 6.8% in 2019 to 9.2% in 2025. This represents an additional 1.2 million children engaged in labour.

   • SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): This trend marks a significant regression from Target 8.7, which calls for the immediate elimination of the worst forms of child labour and an end to all child labour by 2025.
   • SDG 4 (Quality Education): The rise in child labour directly undermines efforts to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all, as working children are often deprived of schooling.
   • SDG 1 (No Poverty): This increase points to underlying economic pressures on families, hindering progress in poverty eradication.

2. High Levels of Lead Contamination

   The survey indicates alarming levels of lead in the blood of vulnerable populations. 38% of children aged 12-59 months and nearly 8% of pregnant women have blood lead levels above safe thresholds. The Dhaka division shows the highest prevalence at 65%.

   • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): These findings present a direct challenge to Target 3.9, which aims to substantially reduce the number of illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and pollution. Lead exposure poses severe, long-term health risks to child development and maternal health.

3. Trends in Maternal and Reproductive Health

   The survey identified two significant trends in maternal and reproductive health services:

   • The rate of Caesarean sections has risen sharply, from 36% in 2019 to 51.8% in 2025.
   • The contraceptive prevalence rate has declined, from 62.7% in 2019 to 58.2% in 2025.
   • SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The decline in contraceptive use is a setback for Target 3.7, which aims to ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare services, including family planning. The high C-section rate may indicate issues within the health system concerning maternal care practices.
   • SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Reduced access to or use of family planning services can impede progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights issues that are directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This goal is addressed through the discussion on lead levels in the blood of children and pregnant women, the rising C-section rates, and the decline in the contraceptive prevalence rate, all of which are critical aspects of public and maternal health.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: This goal is relevant due to the article’s primary focus on the increase in child labour among children aged 5-17 years.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 8.7: “Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour… and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.”
   • Explanation: The article’s main finding is the national increase in child labour, with 9.2% of children aged 5-17 involved. This directly relates to the goal of ending child labour in all its forms.
2. Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.”
   • Explanation: The survey finding that “almost four out of 10 children have lead levels in their bloods” and that nearly 8% of pregnant women have blood lead levels above safe thresholds directly points to illnesses caused by contamination from a hazardous chemical (lead).
3. Target 3.7: “By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education…”
   • Explanation: The article mentions a “decline in contraceptive prevalence rate at 58.2 per cent from 62.7 per cent in 2019.” This decline indicates a challenge in ensuring access to and use of family planning services, which is the core of this target.
4. Target 3.1: “By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.”
   • Explanation: While the article does not mention maternal mortality directly, it highlights a significant “rise in C-section rate at 51.8 per cent in 2025 from 36 per cent in 2019.” Caesarean section rates are a key indicator of maternal healthcare quality and access to emergency obstetric care, which is crucial for reducing maternal mortality. An unusually high rate can indicate overuse and potential health risks for mothers.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article explicitly provides several quantitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 8.7: The percentage of children aged 5-17 years engaged in child labour. The article provides specific data points: 9.2% in 2025, an increase from 6.8% in 2019.
• Indicator for Target 3.9: The prevalence of elevated blood lead levels. The article specifies this as “38 per cent of children aged 12-59 months” and “nearly 8 per cent of pregnant women” having blood lead levels above safe thresholds.
• Indicator for Target 3.7: The contraceptive prevalence rate. The article states this rate declined to “58.2 per cent from 62.7 per cent in 2019.”
• Indicator for Target 3.1: The rate of caesarean sections. The article reports a rise in the “C-section rate at 51.8 per cent in 2025 from 36 per cent in 2019.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: newagebd.net