43pc population will live in urban areas in 2029

Extreme population growth in urban areas may highly degrade living standards of the dwellers in near future as they have already been experiencing so, in cases of sanitation, health and child protection, according to a recent study.

Around 81 million people, approximately 43 percent of the country's total population [190 million], will live in the urban areas in 2029, said the study, adding that the urban population reached 55 million in 2015 from 32 million in 2001.

The high population growth resulted in rise of slum dwelling, where only 19 percent households currently using proper sanitation facilities, it said. Besides, about 57 percent of the total urban households can use the sanitation facilities, it added.

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), Unicef, and Associates for Community and Population Research (ACPR) jointly conducted the study tilted, “Child Wellbeing Survey in Urban Areas of Bangladesh 2016”, through surveying 20,134 urban households across the country.

The findings of the study were revealed at a seminar organised by BBS at its office in the capital yesterday.

The study found more than 93 percent children in the slum areas are involved in child labour.

Around 60 percent females, who are currently aged between 20 and 49, in the urban areas had got married before 18, it found.

It also found that around half of the urban women cannot receive proper treatment during their pregnancy and do not have undergone their deliveries in health centres or with support from trained professionals.

Besides, 8 in 10 children, who are aged 1-14, experienced psychological aggression or physical punishment, it said.

The study also found that 26 percent children, under the age of 5, in the urban areas are stunted, and the percentage is around 60 in the slum areas.

In addition, 20 percent urban children are underweight, which is more than 74 percent in the slums, it found.

Speaking at the seminar, Unicef representative in Bangladesh Edouard Beigbeder said the urban population growth is alarming for the country.

Saurendra Nath Chakrabhartty, secretary in-charge of Statistics and Informatics Division at the planning ministry; and Md Amir Hossain, director general of BBS, also spoke.