Photo : Collected
Akbar Hossain, a graduate from National University four years ago, has struggled to secure employment despite taking numerous job tests during this period. Despite his efforts, he has yet to land a job. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) recently released the quarterly unemployment index, but it did not specify the number of educated unemployed individuals like Akbar.
According to the latest report by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), a staggering 47 percent of educated individuals in the country are currently unemployed. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) indicates that there are currently 25.9 million unemployed individuals in the country. Interestingly, while the number of male unemployed has risen, there has been a decrease in the number of female unemployed individuals. The average number of unemployed individuals at the end of 2023 stood at 24.7 million. Moreover, compared to the first quarter of the previous year (March-January), there has been an increase of 120,000 unemployed individuals in the country in the first three months of this year.
Analysts point out a flaw in the method used to calculate unemployment, suggesting that many unemployed individuals are incorrectly categorised as workers. Additionally, a significant portion of those who are employed earn very low salaries. Analysts estimate that approximately one fourth of the country's population remains unemployed, a figure exacerbated by the ongoing economic challenges. Frustrated unemployed youth, like Akbar Hossain, express grievances, highlighting the concealment of information regarding educated youth in the BBS data. Akbar recounts his four-year struggle, competing against thousands of candidates for a single job opportunity. He emphasises the financial burden of job exams, which often require travel to distant locations and incur significant costs. Despite his unemployment status, individuals like Akbar are not included in the BBS survey.
Economist Professor Abu Ahmed asserted to the Daily Messenger that unemployment in Bangladesh's economy stands at approximately 30 percent of the population, disputing the BBS figure. He emphasised that the BBS-reported number is inaccurate and does not reflect the true extent of unemployment in the country. Professor Ahmed highlighted that individuals who work but do not receive fair wages or cannot earn enough to sustain themselves during qualifying hours should also be considered unemployed. As these individuals are not accounted for in the BBS survey, Professor Ahmed argued that the information provided by BBS cannot be deemed accurate.
Economist Professor Emeritus Dr. ATM Nurul Amin told Daily Messenger, “I don't think the information given by BBS about the number of unemployed is correct. It is not right to equate the definition of poor country with developed country. The helpless people of our country cannot go without food for more than three days. If there is no work, he has to do something even to eat. After doing something for his life, he is no longer counted as unemployed. Besides, if a worker works for eight hours but does not get what he deserves, he is unemployed according to the definition of economy. Besides, if an educated youth does not get a job according to his education, he is also unemployed, but these do not come in the BBS survey. BBS survey itself cannot tell the actual calculation.”
The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) unveiled its latest Labour Force Survey on Monday (May 6), shedding light on the unemployment scenario from January to March. According to the report, the number of unemployed men has surged, while the count of unemployed women has seen a decrease. As of last March, the tally of male unemployment stood at 17,40,000, up from 17,10,000 in the first quarter of 2023 (January-March). Conversely, female unemployment has dropped by 30,000 compared to the same period last year, with the current figure standing at 8,50,000. The labour force comprises a total of 7,37,50,000 men and women, out of which 7,11,60,000 are employed, leaving the remainder unemployed. BBS calculations indicate that 25,90,000 individuals were unemployed in the first quarter of 2023. Based on this data, it appears that the number of unemployed individuals did not increase during the first quarter of this year. Presently, the unemployment rate stands at 3.51 percent, a slight uptick from the average unemployment rate recorded in 2023, which was 3.36 percent.
Furthermore, there exists a sizable population outside the labour force, comprising approximately 4,82,60,000 individuals, who are neither employed nor classified as unemployed. This group predominantly consists of regular students, individuals with health issues, elderly men and women, those unable to work, retirees, and housewives who are not actively seeking employment or opting out of the workforce by choice.
Messenger/Fameema
