29% of youth looking for a job for over two years

A significant portion of young people in Bangladesh are struggling to secure employment, with a new survey revealing that nearly one-third have been job-hunting for over two years. 

Furthermore, a staggering 45% of those who applied for at least one job in the past year reported never receiving an interview call, highlighting a severe disconnect in the job market.

These findings were unveiled in a survey report presented at a roundtable discussion titled "Youth in Transition: Navigating Jobs, Education, and Changing Political Scenario Post July Movement" held in Dhaka yesterday. 

The comprehensive youth survey, "Youth Survey 2025: Tracking Perceptions on Reforms, Skills, Jobs, and Education," was conducted by the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (Sanem) in collaboration with ActionAid Bangladesh.

The survey paints a grim picture of youth preparedness and the prevailing challenges. On the training front, only 12% of respondents attended training in the past year, with just under half (49%) receiving computer usage training.

Delving into youth perspectives on the job market, the survey indicates a strong sense of unpreparedness. Only 15% of young people felt their education had significantly prepared them for employment, while a substantial 31% believed their schooling played no role whatsoever in their job readiness.

Regarding career aspirations, government jobs remain the top choice, with 37% of respondents expressing an inclination towards the public sector. Entrepreneurship follows, attracting 26% of young people. 

A gender-wise breakdown reveals that 42% of female respondents favoured public sector jobs, compared to 33% of males.

The survey found that 1.7% of youth respondents had already worked abroad and returned, with a high proportion (73%) eager to migrate again. Conversely, among those who have never been abroad, nearly 40% expressed interest in overseas employment, while 57% prefer to remain in Bangladesh. 

The majority of those who prefer to stay are female (71%), compared to 46% of males. The primary drivers for seeking employment abroad include better salaries, improved benefits, and a higher standard of living.

The gig economy also features in the survey. A significant 42% of youth admitted unfamiliarity with freelancing or gig-based work, while only 10% reported being very familiar with the concept. Despite this, the flexibility and opportunity to work from home were cited by 71% as the most attractive features of freelancing, with 59% believing it offers better pay than local employment.

Nepotism emerged as the single biggest perceived obstacle to employment, reported by 55% of young people. Other significant barriers include a lack of formal education (53%), job scarcity (50%), and a mismatch between general education and job market needs (49%).

Case studies highlighted in the report bring these statistics to life. One respondent, a school teacher and single mother with a master's degree, earns less than Tk5,000 per month. Another, a 30-year-old freelancer from Jhalakathi, has ceased applying for jobs due to the pervasive perception of corruption in recruitment processes, believing they would never be considered.