ILO’s call for empowering youth for decent work and sustainable development in Bangladesh

On the occasion of International Youth Day, the International Labour Organization, Bangladesh expresses condolences for the loss of lives and thousands of injured people since the beginning of the civil unrest, acknowledges the political transitions the country is undergoing, and appreciates young people for leading such a transition with a quest for fairness, freedom, equity and justice. We are confident that the country will succeed in a peaceful political transition, providing productive and decent work opportunities for young people in the days ahead. 

The theme for this year’s Youth Day is “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development,” which has been chosen to celebrate young people’s contribution to advancing digital technologies, which has impacted all aspects of economies and society. We are hopeful that Bangladesh will continue to unleash the youth's potential by harnessing the power of digital technologies for economic and social development. There is urgent need for appropriate labour market policies and programmes. These, including an enabling environment for entrepreneurial pursuits, skills development and lifelong learning, a labour market governance framework, and functioning institutions for harmonious industrial relations, are crucial for the country to harness the potential and address youth employment challenges the country has been grappling amidst its soaring economic progress. 

Bangladesh is a nation defined by its youth. With approximately two million young people entering the labour force annually and more than a quarter of the population (25.81 per cent) within the 15-29 age group, the country holds immense potential to harness the benefits of a demographic dividend. This potential fills us with hope and optimism for the future. Notably, 36.7 per cent of the total labour force falls within this age bracket, underscoring the country’s capacity for future growth. 

While Bangladesh has achieved significant socio-economic development over the last one and a half decades, the growth in employment opportunities has not kept pace. The decline in job growth within the manufacturing sector has, in turn, slowed job growth in the service sector. Furthermore, a 5 per cent decline in real wage growth, alongside increasing informalization of the economy and employment, raises important questions about equity and inclusiveness in the country's economic progress. 

According to the Labour Force Survey 2022, youth unemployment in Bangladesh (15-29 years) stands at 8 per cent. Even more concerning is the fact that 92.7 per cent of working youth and 98.5 per cent of young women are engaged in informal employment, where they face significant decent work deficits, including low wages, poor working conditions and a lack of social protection and fundamental rights at work. It is regrettable to note that the highest unemployment rates are among those who have completed tertiary education at 27.8 per cent overall (32.6 per cent women). 

Equally alarming is the fact that 22 per cent of young people (15-29) are not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Women in this category are disproportionately affected, with 27.1 per cent compared to men at 16.2 per cent. The deurbanization of women's employment and the rise in nonformal and self-employment are additional challenges the country is facing. Despite economic growth, creating decent jobs for youth remains a significant challenge.

More than three million young people, many with low or no skills, work as migrant laborer’s in East Asia and the Middle East. While the remittances they send back are a critical source of GDP and foreign exchange earnings for Bangladesh, these workers often face high costs of migration, low wages, lack of protection at work, inadequate access to social protection, and the looming threat of displacement due to automation and technological disruption.  These factors make what is otherwise a vital employment option a challenging and precarious path for Bangladeshi youth. 

On this International Youth Day, we are pleased to announce the release of the ILO’s flagship report, Global Employment Trends for Youth 2024. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of global youth employment trends over recent years. It highlights the concerning number of 15- to 24-year-olds who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET) and notes that the post-COVID-19 pandemic employment recovery has not been universal. Young people in certain regions, particularly many young women, are not fully benefiting from the economic recovery.

The ILO hopes that the findings and recommendations in this report will be useful in shaping effective, evidence-based policies to create better employment opportunities and ensure decent work for Bangladesh’s youth.  The ILO stands ready to provide technical support to Bangladesh in pursuing practical actions to make inclusive, full, and productive employment a reality.