The purpose of a database management system (DBMS) is to create, manage, and manipulate databases efficiently. DBMS provides a systematic way to store, retrieve, and manage data, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility. Users can perform operations such as insertion, deletion, and querying of data without needing to know the underlying details of the data structure. Additionally, DBMS facilitates concurrent access, allowing multiple users to access the database simultaneously while managing conflicts. This is essential for maintaining effective data management in various applications.