Fund Crunch, Manpower Shortage: Why Condoms Are Running Out In Bangladesh?

Last Updated:December 27, 2025, 16:53 IST

According to the national contraceptive summary report, the supply of condoms has fallen by 57% over the past six years.

According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025, released last month, Bangladesh’s TFR rose to 2.4 from 2.3 the previous year. (Representational)

Amid widespread violent protests following the death of July uprising leader Sharif Osman Hadi, Bangladesh is facing another problem–shortage of condoms and other contraceptives– which has been dwindling steadily over the last few years.

As per a report by The Daily Star, the neighbouring country may be unable to supply condoms—the most widely used contraceptive—for at least a month early next year due to funding constraints and manpower shortages.

The shortage of contraceptives has been steadily declining over the past several years, severely affecting the country’s family planning programme. The Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP), which distributes five types of contraceptives–condoms, oral pills, intrauterine devices (IUDs), injectables and implants, free of cost, may be unable to provide condoms for about a month as stocks are likely to run out in 39 days, the report added.

According to the national contraceptive summary report, the supply of condoms has fallen by 57% over the past six years. The other four contraceptive items have also recorded consistent declines since 2019. Oral pills dropped by 63%, IUDs by 64%, injectables by 41% and implants by 37%. As of December 11, 2025, the agency had condom stocks for 39 days, implants for 33 days, IUDs for 45 days, oral pills for over five months, and injectables for more than six months, the report said.

Abdur Razzaque, director of the DGFP’s logistics and supply unit, told The Daily Star that contraceptives could be restocked if an ongoing legal issue related to procurement is resolved. However, he warned that condoms are likely to run out, leaving a supply gap of at least a month.

Compounding the problem is a shortage of field-level workers, DGFP Director General Ashrafi Ahmad said, adding that recruitment for certain posts has been halted due to legal complications. These workers play a crucial role in both distributing contraceptives and providing counselling.

The shortage came at a time when Bangladesh has recorded an increase in its total fertility rate (TFR) for the first time in 50 years. Officials and experts have warned that the TFR could rise further if contraceptive access continues to decline.

A recent national survey reportedly found a drop in both contraceptive use and access to modern family planning methods. Aminul Islam, a professor of Population Sciences at Dhaka University, said that many couples have become less inclined towards family planning in recent years, with some opting to have more than two children.

According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2025, released last month, Bangladesh’s TFR rose to 2.4 from 2.3 the previous year.

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