The Government of Bangladesh has officially launched the National Family Planning Strategy for 2025–2030, a landmark initiative developed with technical support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
Unveiled on October 28, 2025, the strategy represents a transformative shift from traditional population control toward a rights-based approach that prioritizes sexual and reproductive health, women's empowerment, and youth inclusion.
Highlighting the economic and social impact of the plan, officials noted that every USD One invested in family planning can save the nation USD14 in health and social costs, while potentially preventing 30% of maternal deaths and reducing unintended pregnancies by two-thirds.
While Bangladesh has seen modern contraceptive use soar from 8% in the 1970s to 64% today, recent stagnation has left approximately 5 million women with an unmet need for contraception.
The new five-year roadmap specifically targets these gaps, addressing high unmet needs among adolescents, early motherhood driven by child marriage, and a heavy reliance on short-acting contraceptive methods.
By focusing on long-acting contraceptives and reducing regional disparities, the strategy aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals and the Family Planning 2030 commitment to achieve zero unmet need for family planning and zero preventable maternal deaths.
During the launch event, Professor Md. Sayedur Rahman, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, emphasized that the success of the strategy hinges on rigorous local-level implementation guided by fresh evidence and new surveys.
UNFPA Bangladesh Representative Catherine Breen Kamkong further remarked that family planning is a vital tool for breaking the cycle of poverty, granting couples the dignity to decide their own futures.
The high-profile event was attended by senior leaders from the Health Services Division, the Directorate General of Family Planning, and various international development partners, all affirming their commitment to this new era of reproductive healthcare in Bangladesh.
