The primary purpose of a database management system (DBMS) is to facilitate the creation, manipulation, and management of databases. A DBMS enables users to store, retrieve, and efficiently organize data while providing tools to maintain data integrity and security. It supports various operations such as querying, updating, and backing up data, while also allowing multiple users to access databases simultaneously. A well-designed DBMS ensures data consistency and reliability, enabling businesses to make informed decisions based on accurate information while optimizing data storage and retrieval processes.