Life expectancy at birth in the country rose to 70.9 years last year from 70.7 years in 2014, according to a survey by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics.

The gain is more pronounced in females with their life expectancy being 72 years. It was 69.4 years for males.

The average annual increase in life expectancy was 0.38 years over the last five years.

The findings of the survey titled “Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics 2015” were released at a seminar in the capital's Bangabandhu International Convention Centre.

According to the survey, Hindu population rose to 10.7 percent last year from 9.9 percent in 2014. Christians and other religious minorities accounted for only 1.1 percent of the population.

Muslim population dropped to 88.2 percent last year from 89.2 percent in 2014.

The survey was conducted last year, and data was collected from 215,811 households in 2,012 sample areas.

Presenting the survey report, AKM Ashraful Haque, project director of Monitoring the Situation of Vital Statistics Project of the BBS, said the use of contraceptives increased moderately to 62.1 percent last year from 58.3 percent in 2011. The use was more prevalent among urban women, he added.

Infant mortality rate dropped to 29 per 1,000 live births last year from 30 in 2014. The rate was 35 in 2011.

Under-five mortality rate also decreased to 36 per 1,000 live births from 44 in 2011.

Ashraful observed that the Sample Vital Statistics was the most important survey in policy formulation of the government, especially in health and population sectors.

Edouard Beigbeder, country representative of Unicef, lauded the progress in the demographic indicators of Bangladesh.

Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal said Bangladesh's largest demographic dividend is its young population, who are able to work and take the country forward.