As of 2025, the global population has reached 8.2 billion with Bangladesh accounting for nearly 175.7 million people. Of the total number, half are women and two-thirds—around 115 million—are of working age. The data, drawn from the United Nations Population Fund’s (UNFPA) flagship report State of World Population (SWOP) 2025, signals a good opportunity for Bangladesh to harness the potential of its demographic dividend.
However, such opportunity remains largely untapped. More new jobs should be created as an estimated 2.5 million to 2.6 million individuals with undergraduate degrees are currently unemployed. In addition, around 800,000 graduates remain jobless despite completing their education.
The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, has set a target of creating 500,000 jobs over the next two years. This move is welcome, but it falls short given the scale of unemployment crisis. Particularly concerning is a trend revealed in recent studies: unemployment is lowest among those with minimal or no education, but it increases with higher levels of education.
Thankfully, the days of prolonged "session jam" in universities—which once costs students valuable academic years—are largely behind us. Students now typically complete their undergraduate and postgraduate degrees on time. However, after graduation, they face a new challenge: a protracted and inefficient recruitment process, particularly in the public sector and services such as the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS).
Thousands of well-qualified
young people are now in limbo,
caught in a frustrating and
disheartening waiting game
Thousands of well-qualified young people are now in limbo, caught in a frustrating and disheartening waiting game. These graduates, who should be contributing to the country’s development, are instead becoming economic burdens on their families. The mental health toll is also significant with many experiencing anxiety and depression due to prolonged unemployment.
A major cause of this issue is the delay in recruitment by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and other government authorities. While the government has sanctioned 239,015 BCS cadre posts, only 195,679 positions are currently filled—leaving over 43,000 vacancies. Although recruitment circulars have been issued to fill these posts, final appointments have yet to be made as the authorities concerned cite the need for extensive checking, cross-checking, medical examinations, and police verifications.
While transparency and diligence are important, these justifications are beginning to sound more like excuses than valid reasons. With the introduction of electronic recruitment (e-recruitment) systems aimed at streamlining and modernising the hiring process, such prolonged delays are unacceptable.
The government must prioritise job creation for the youths and ensure that recruitment is carried out efficiently and fairly. At the same time, we urge our young people not to wait idly. Instead, they should channel their creativity, skills and entrepreneurial spirit into creating their own opportunities. In doing so, they can contribute not only to their own growth but also to the country's development.
Furthermore, the government must work to enhance youth employability through skills development programmes and by strengthening international labour cooperation. The aim should be clear to ensure that Bangladesh’s youths are not merely jobseekers but valued contributors to both the national and global economy.
With self-confidence, dignity and support, our youths can help build a Bangladesh where no one is left unemployed and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
