Women, Rural Communities Show Higher Illness Prevalence

According to the Health and Morbidity Status Survey 2025, Bangladesh recorded an illness prevalence of 332.19 per 1,000 population in the 90 days preceding the survey. The report, released on Sunday by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), highlights notable differences between rural and urban populations, as well as between men and women.

The prevalence of illness was slightly higher in rural areas (333.30 per 1,000) than in urban regions (331.4 per 1,000).

Women reported significantly higher illness rates compared to men, with 354.6 per 1,000 women found to be ill, versus 309.2 per 1,000 men.

The survey findings were unveiled at the BBS conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka. Aleya Akter, Secretary of the Statistics and Informatics Division, attended the program as the chief guest, while Md Huzur Ali, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, was present as special guest. BBS Director General Mohammad Mizanur Rahman presided over the event, and Project Director Mostafa Ashrafuzzaman presented the survey report.

The survey identified the 10 most prevalent illnesses per 1,000 people:

• Hypertension: 78.28

• Peptic ulcer: 63.79

• Diabetes: 43.15

• Rheumatism/arthritis: 39.75

• Skin diseases: 37.23

• Heart disease: 31.32

• Asthma: 30.94

• Osteoporosis: 22.30

• Hepatitis: 22.30

• Diarrhea: 15.89

The report notes a sharp rise in illness with age. For children under one year, the illness rate is 232 per 1,000, while among people aged 39–75 years, it rises to 754 per 1,000. Elderly women also display higher illness rates than their male counterparts.

The survey reveals that the average personal medical expenditure is Tk 2,487, with women spending slightly less (Tk 2,476). Spending on medicines alone averages Tk 2,387.
Despite greater reliance on government healthcare facilities, women’s overall medical expenses remain comparatively higher.

Health-seeking behavior shows that:

• 51.1% rely on self-medication or local pharmacies
• 20% seek private healthcare
• Only 11.5% use government health facilities
• Women use government services slightly more than men

Regular health check-ups remain extremely low at 1.64%, with urban areas (1.66%) marginally ahead of rural areas (1.63%).

The country’s cesarean delivery rate stands at 41.3%, with an average cost of Tk 22,655 per delivery.

Among women aged 25–49, 5.2% were pregnant, and 6.9% had given birth in the 12 months prior to the survey.

Bangladesh’s physical and mental disability rate is 5.2%, meaning that an average of 5.2 out of 100 people live with some form of disability. Women show a slightly higher rate at 5.3%, compared to 5.1% for men.

The disability rate is somewhat higher in urban areas (5.6%) than in rural areas (3.1%).

Families also face significant financial pressure due to disability-related healthcare costs, which average Tk 6,775 nationwide. Rural households spend more (Tk 7,269), compared to Tk 5,417 in urban areas.