A grim feature of Population and Household Census Report 2022

FE Team | Published: November 30, 2023 21:12:41

The Population and Household Census Report 2022 released recently by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) shows, among an array of curious findings, an upsetting picture too. Over a third of the country's current 169.828 million population has no education, employment and job training, says the latest report. Based on the final survey conducted in June 15-21 last year, the report shows a significant male-female demographic change. For the first time in the country's history, women have outnumbered men in official count. The ratio of women to men stood at 100:98.02 in the report. Out of the total population, 84.134 million are male, and the rest 85.686 million female. In the 2011 census, the proportion of female population to male was lower, recorded at 100:100.30, and in 2001 census it was 100:106.35.
Other findings in the report include increase in population density from 976 persons living in per square-kilometre area in 2011 to 1,119 persons in 2022. The report recorded an increase in urban population with 31.66 per cent living in urban locations and the remaining 68.34 per cent in rural locations. The census shows increase in the number of youths (15-24 years) to 19.11 per cent of the total population from 18.16 per cent in 2011. The literacy rate (7 years and above) has increased significantly to 74.80 per cent in 2022 from 51.77 per cent in 2011. Out of the literate population, 89.26 per cent pursued general education, 7.19 per cent religious education, 0.81 per cent technical education and the rest 2.74 per cent other categories of education.
These salient features and other associated findings in the report are largely overshadowed by the disheartening fact that one third of the country's population constituting 34.02 per cent is without any education, employment and job training. Of them, the majority, 52.76 per cent, are female, while 13.28 per cent are male. This portrays a grim picture of the country's socio-economic landscape and underscores a significant challenge for ensuring inclusive development. The data not only highlight the pressing need for educational reform and increased employment opportunities but also point to social and economic disparities that need an urgent attention. The finding serves as a call for a collaborative action by policymakers, educators, and community leaders on strategies that promote education and skills development, fostering a more inclusive society in the country. Beyond statistics, it is a call for a renewed commitment to equitable education, employment, and skill-building opportunities. It also signals a critical juncture for policymakers and stakeholders to reevaluate existing strategies and implement targeted initiatives that address the multifaceted challenges facing this vulnerable population.
There is no doubt that the government's mass literacy and school enrollment programmes have largely fallen flat in addressing the needs, especially in the rural areas. Added to these is the gross inadequacy of job/skill training programmes. As the country navigates the tortuous competitive course of job markets both at home and abroad, addressing the shortcomings laid bare by the census report is not just a matter of policy but a moral obligation.