Over 20% of youths in Bangladesh are not in employment, education: Report

Bangladesh is one of the South Asian nations where a notable segment of its youth, ranging from 15 to 24 years old, is categorised as Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), according to a report recently published by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.

The report titled "Asia-Pacific Population and Development Report 2023" revealed that Bangladesh has more than 20% of the youth population currently living as NEETs.

It also draws attention to how the Covid-19 pandemic was an extremely disruptive force for young adults. They were "much more likely to have been forced out of the labour market" by the consequences of the pandemic.

Getting started with life's first job and establishing a home was already difficult before the pandemic, but the immediate conditions and aftermath have only served to exacerbate these challenges, according to the report.

There were several suggestions to address these issues, such as recognising adolescents and young people as agents of change, youth empowerment, building their resilience and enabling them to participate in decision-making.

Other countries with an NEET population are India, Indonesia, Iran, the Republic of Korea, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Turkiye.

These figures tend to be higher for women over men, however, men face a higher rate of labour underutilisation compared to young women.

The report adds that "investing in young people and giving them the fullest opportunities to be productive through education, decent employment and access to health services is the key to reaping the demographic dividend. However, globally, young people are about three times more likely than adults to be unemployed."

The report also seeks to address youth unemployment, underemployment, vulnerable employment and informal employment by developing and implementing targeted and integrated youth employment policies for the inclusive creation of decent jobs, improved employability, skill development and vocational training.

The 134-page report covers 11 topics: poverty eradication and employment, health, sexual and reproductive health, services and rights, education, gender equality and women's empowerment, adolescents and young people, ageing, international migration, urbanisation and internal migration, population and sustainable development, data and statistics.