A lonely death of an elderly man in Mirpur barely had time to fade from public discussion before another similar case emerged from the same area, underscoring a growing but often invisible crisis: the increasing isolation of Bangladesh’s ageing population.
A few years earlier, the death of a senior physician in Maghbazar, Dhaka, was discovered days after he had passed away.
In such cases, the elderly did not suffer from a lack of financial means, but a deeper absence — companionship and care.
Some relatives live abroad, others live separately within the country. Many had gradually lost the ability to care for themselves.
Stories of elderly people in low-income families are often harsher. When it becomes difficult to meet basic household expenses, reports of neglect towards non-earning elderly parents frequently appear in the media. Although such neglect was made a punishable offence more than a decade ago, victims rarely take legal action against their children.
Across Bangladesh, elderly people are increasingly living alone or with minimal support as families disperse due to migration, urbanisation and changing social structures. Some have children working abroad, others live separately within the country, while many have gradually lost their physical ability to manage daily life.
Experts say Bangladesh is facing a widening gap in eldercare infrastructure. Unlike many countries that provide state-backed pension systems, assisted living facilities and community-based care, Bangladesh’s support systems remain limited. Apart from retired government employees, most citizens have minimal income security in old age.
A universal pension scheme for private professionals has been introduced, but no beneficiary has yet begun receiving payments.
Weak care infrastructure and rising demand
The breakdown of joint family structures has intensified disputes among siblings over caregiving responsibilities. At the same time, overseas migration and nuclear family living have reduced the capacity of households to provide long-term care.
Elderly care homes remain scarce and underdeveloped. In Dhaka, private facilities typically cost Tk 35,000 or more per month, while government-run homes have limited capacity and resources.
Private sector employee Sani Akhter, who placed her mother in a care home, said, “I spend nearly Tk 40,000 every month for my mother’s care, which is almost half of my income.”
Mohammad Rezaur Rahman, deputy director at the Department of Social Services, said only eight government-run elderly care homes currently exist nationwide and many are not fully operational due to manpower shortages.
Academics warn that urbanisation and migration are accelerating loneliness among older people.
Jagannath University Sociology Department Assistant Professor Md Rafiqul Islam said, “Urbanisation, internal and international migration have weakened the structure of joint families, which is increasing loneliness and insecurity among the elderly. The state must develop alternative support systems.”
Ageing population set to surge
According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics 2022 census, more than 1.64 crore people in Bangladesh were aged over 60. The United Nations Population Fund projects that the number could rise to 4.6 crore by 2050.
Experts say this demographic shift will place enormous pressure on healthcare systems, social protection, family structures and the economy.
Swapan Islam Majid, founder of elderly care initiative Priyojon Nibash, said Bangladesh is unprepared for this transition.
“The challenge is not only the rising number of elderly people, but also building services, trained manpower and infrastructure,” he said.
For many families, caring for ageing parents has become a difficult balancing act between tradition, economic necessity and social expectations.
Sixty-seven-year-old Aziz Molla lives at his village in Jashore with his wife. One son works abroad, while another studies in Dhaka.
His younger son, Jihad Molla, said, “It is my responsibility to stay beside my parents, but I cannot always be near them. If we place them in care homes, society makes negative comments.”
Growing acceptance of care homes
Despite social stigma, some elderly people are increasingly choosing institutional care in assisted living environments.
Abdur Rahman, a retired private employee, said he moved into a care home after feeling emotionally neglected by his children.
“I spent my life educating them, but later felt I was not getting attention. Here I live with people of my age and a sense of community,” he said.
Care sector experts say attitudes are slowly changing, particularly among urban families.
However, Bangladesh still lacks specialised services such as stroke rehabilitation centres, dementia care units and structured assisted living facilities.
Training institutions such as the Bangladesh Caregiving and Technical Training Institute provide basic caregiver training, but experts say the system is underdeveloped.
Weak enforcement of elder protection law
Bangladesh’s Parents Maintenance Act 2013 legally requires children to support and care for their parents. However, enforcement remains weak.
The law allows parents to file complaints against neglectful children, with penalties including fines of up to Tk 100,000 or three months’ imprisonment.
But lawyers say very few cases reach the courts.
“The biggest weakness is enforcement,” said Supreme Court lawyer Manzill Murshid. “Legislation alone cannot ensure care for parents.”
Human rights activist Salma Ali called for coordinated government action across ministries, while activist Lekha Ghosh warned that weakening family structures are eroding traditional care systems.
“Our social system is breaking down,” she said. “This is affecting not only the elderly but future generations as well.”
