While global demand for skilled workers continues to rise, Bangladesh faces a significant challenge in developing and exporting skilled labor. Currently, half of the country’s workforce remains unemployed, and 30 percent lack the education and training needed to secure jobs. Over the past four years, the export of skilled workers has dropped by 50 percent, a trend experts warn could jeopardize Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global labor market. Without substantial investment in skill development and quality training, remittance flows—an essential lifeline for the country—could also come under pressure.
A recent report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) paints a concerning picture: nearly half of Bangladesh's working-age population is not part of the labor force. The labor force participation rate stands at just 49.5 percent, and even more troubling is the fact that 30.9 percent of people fall into the "NEET" (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) category. This rate is especially high among youth, with 11.1 percent of young men and 49.3 percent of young women falling into this group. Gender inequality in the labor market remains a major issue, with men making up 78.5 percent of the workforce and women just 21.5 percent.
Despite the growing global demand for skilled workers, Bangladesh's ability to send skilled labor abroad has decreased, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, exports of low-skilled and semi-skilled workers have risen, leaving Bangladesh at a disadvantage in the international labor market.
The Bureau of Manpower, Employment, and Training (BMET) classifies migrant workers into four categories based on their skill level: professional, skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled. According to BMET data, in 2024, 1,011,969 Bangladeshis went abroad for work. Of these, only 4.59 percent (41,621) were professionals, 23.62 percent (214,044) were skilled workers, 17.56 percent (159,128) were semi-skilled, and the remaining 54.23 percent (491,480) were low-skilled workers. This indicates that more than half of the workforce being sent abroad is low-skilled. This trend has worsened over the years: in 2023, low-skilled workers made up 50 percent of exports, and in 2022, the figure was even higher at 73.08 percent.
From 2016 to 2019, skilled workers accounted for 42 to 44 percent of Bangladesh’s total labor exports. However, this share has steadily declined in recent years. Experts caution that sending workers abroad without adequate skill development and training could ultimately pressure the country’s remittance flows. Many of the skills being taught in local training centers do not align with the demands of foreign labor markets, which could prevent workers from securing meaningful employment abroad.
To address this issue, experts recommend conducting thorough labor market research in key regions like the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, and tailoring training programs to meet the specific needs of these areas. Moreover, instead of sending large numbers of workers, the focus should shift toward sending fewer, but better-trained workers who can command higher wages and enjoy better job security. Ensuring their safety and fair compensation is also critical. Additionally, Bangladesh must explore new labor markets to create more opportunities for skilled workers.
The central challenge for Bangladesh is to develop a skilled workforce capable of competing in the global labor market. Without significant reform in skill development and training programs, the country risks losing its position as a major labor exporter and could see a decline in remittance income—an essential source of economic support.
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
