Bangladesh Faces Severe Contraceptive Shortage Amid Fund Crunch, Manpower Crisis

• Bangladesh is experiencing a critical shortage of condoms and other contraceptives due to funding constraints and manpower issues.
• The Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) may run out of condoms for a month, with current stock for only 39 days.
• Condom supply has dropped by 57% in six years; other contraceptives like oral pills, IUDs, injectables, and implants also show significant declines since 2019.
• Legal issues in procurement and halted recruitment of field-level workers are exacerbating the problem, affecting distribution and counseling.
• The shortage coincides with Bangladesh's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) rising to 2.4, potentially increasing further if access declines.

Why It Matters: Bangladesh's contraceptive shortage, driven by funding and staff issues, threatens family planning and TFR.