Birthrate declines during coronavirus pandemic

During this pandemic, the birth rate has decreased in Bangladesh. Analyzing the data of newborns born in the year 2019-21 available on the official website of the Department of Family Planning, it is seen that, as Covid cases increased in Bangladesh, the birth rate simultaneously decreased in comparison to the pre-Covid times.

After the onset of Covid in Bangladesh, the cases reached alarming levels in April to June of 2020 and again in April to July of this year. 

During this time the total number of births recorded is significantly lower than the birth rate of April to June of 2019.

A comparative study conducted by The Report concludes this findings.

The study further found that during the pandemic, natural birth rate has dropped from 15.43% to 14.19% in April-June 2019 and 2020 respectively.

According to the information given on the website of the Department of Family Planning, in 2019, 1 lakh 36 thousand 734 newborns, 1 lakh 44 thousand 736 newborns and 1 lakh 42 thousand 648 newborns were born in April, May and June respectively. A total of 4 lakh 24 thousand 224 babies were born in Bangladesh in these three months.

During the first wave of Covid in 2020, 1 lakh 14 thousand 621 newborns, 1 lakh 20 thousand 484 newborns and 1 lakh 23 thousand 582 newborns were born in April, May and June respectively. The total number stands at 3 lakh 58 thousand 787. 

Again in the month of April 2021, a total of 1 lakh 23 thousand 285 births were recorded, in the month of May 1 lakh 21 thousand 546 births .

The General Secretary of the National Forum Obstetric and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) Prof. Dr. Gulshan Ara told The Report that Covid has disrupted the way of normal life. As uncertainty increased among the general population, an additional financial burden also played a role in the process of slowing down the birth rate.

Government-appointed public health expert advisory team (Sylhet Division), a senior public health expert Abu Jamil Faisal told The Report that in the early days of the pandemic, experts in the field of health care for pregnant mothers were themselves in a dilemma on how to deal with new mothers and their health.