Though a large portion of Bangladesh's population consists of youths, most of them are deprived of permanent employment and are trying to survive on tuition earnings while continuing their preparations for coveted government jobs.
There are only a handful of posts in government job circulars compared to the vast number of unemployed youths, while the private sector faces numerous issues, including job insecurity, low wages, and complexities in starting a business, resulting in an ‘unemployment trap’ for the youths.
According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), there are currently around 27 lakh unemployed youths in the country. The number of unemployed individuals has increased by approximately 1.5 lakh over the past year, from 25 lakh in 2023 to 27 lakh in 2024.
The BBS survey also reveals that the total working population decreased by 17.2 lakh in 2024 compared to the previous year. In 2023, the working population stood at 7 crore 34 lakh 50 thousand, which dropped to 7 crore 17 lakh 30 thousand in 2024.
Similarly, the youth labor force has seen a decline. In 2023, it was 2 crore 67 lakh, but in 2024 it decreased to 2 crore 26 lakh.
Economist and Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Professor Mustafizur Rahman, told Bangladesh Pratidin, “A large portion of the unemployed are well-educated youths. Every year, about 22 lakh young people enter the labour market, but very few of them find employment—and those who do often receive poor pay.”
“According to our analysis, many of the youths who are neither in education nor employment are suffering from depression,” he added.
Govt Job Trap: According to the National Population and Housing Census 2022, around 45 percent of the country’s total population is between the ages of 18 and 35. This demographic forms the core of Bangladesh’s workforce. However, most of these young people, after completing their tertiary education, spend years preparing for the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS) and other government jobs. Meanwhile, competition in private organizations, including NGOs, remains fierce.
Toufikul Islam, an unemployed graduate, told Bangladesh Pratidin, “It is impossible to survive in the capital on a salary of 15,000 to 20,000 taka, which is what most private institutions offer.” He added that although he is preparing for a government job, the competition is overwhelming.
Professor Mustafizur Rahman of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) remarked, “How many candidates actually pass the BCS or other competitive exams? If everyone keeps chasing government jobs, the country’s economy will eventually stagnate.”
“We need to focus on developing skilled human resources,” he emphasized. “Investors are bringing in workers from abroad because they can’t find adequately skilled workers within the country. This gap between employment and skills must be bridged.”
Lack of skills and interests in technical education: Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies (BILS) Director Kohinoor Mahmud emphasized that the country’s education system is not job-oriented and the curriculum does not align with the needs of the job market. He said, “Due to the lack of skills among youths, many corporate houses are left with no choice but to hire foreign workers.”
“The organizations responsible for youths’ skill development also suffer from a lack of research and proper guidance,” added the Director. He further noted, “Job vacancies are also very limited compared to the size of the population.”
Experts argue that the current education system fails to equip young people with practical skills. As a result, even those with a bachelor’s degree are often deemed unfit for the job market. At the same time, youths show relatively low interest in technical and vocational training, despite the fact that these sectors offer quicker pathways to self-reliance.
Fear of taking risks in business: Many young people are eager to start their own businesses, but they are often held back by a lack of family support, capital, and policy-level assistance. Accessing bank loans involves numerous hurdles, and the absence of proper training and planning further complicates the journey. According to experts, social attitudes also play a significant role in discouraging entrepreneurship. In many families, remarks like “doing business because you didn’t get a job” carry a negative connotation, making it harder for youths to take that path.
Nurul Absar, who completed his master’s degree in English from a college in Chattogram, attempted to launch a printing business on his own initiative. However, he struggled to sustain it. “I started the business, but it was not possible to maintain continuity,” he told Bangladesh Pratidin. “I couldn’t get a loan because I couldn’t provide collateral to the bank. There was no encouragement from the family either.”
Economist Mustafizur Rahman stated, “To keep the wheels of the economy turning, young people should move toward entrepreneurship instead of chasing limited job opportunities. They need to improve their skills, but the biggest obstacle remains capital. Banks are reluctant to offer loans easily. Fortunately, the issue is now being discussed, and I hope the problem will be resolved.”
Translated by Afsar Munna
