Bangladesh has frequently celebrated its advancement in both education and employment in recent years. Enrolment in universities is rising and new sectors are emerging at the same time. Policymakers often highlight job creation as a sign of economic success. But a silent contradiction exists here. More young students are graduating than ever graduated before, but a significant number of them remain unemployed, underemployed or stuck in long term job market uncertainty. This concern is not merely perceptual but is grounded in data. According to the International Labour Organization, youth unemployment in Bangladesh among those aged 15-29 stands at 8.0 percent, unemployment among tertiary-educated youths reaches 27.8 percent overall which rises to 32.6 per cent for women with university degrees. This figure is notably higher than the national average, pointing towards a deep structural mismatch between education and labour market demand. The issue is not about the number of jobs only, rather it is about the kind of jobs which are being created and the kind of future for which young people are preparing themselves.
The optimistic headlines and the ground reality tell very different stories. If opportunities are expanding, why does such anxiety among the new graduates persist? Why do so many talented students spend years preparing for a handful of government positions where they could explore diverse career paths? All these questions point towards a sharp structural paradox which may be termed as an "illusion of job creation".
Job opportunities may be increasing in number, but they are not necessarily aligned with the skills, expectations or aspirations of the youth community. The evolving nature of work itself defines some parts of this mismatch. Technological progress is reshaping labour markets across the world. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) are gradually replacing routine based and predictable tasks. At the same time demand for skills such as critical thinking, adaptability and digital literacy has been increasing. Against this backdrop, the definition of employability is rapidly shifting. However, the education system of Bangladesh still inspires theoretical knowledge over practical and analytical skills. As a result of this, most of the graduates find themselves enriched with degrees, not with the competencies required in a competitive job market.
We notice another strong force shaping our youth employment patterns at the same time. It is the overwhelming preference for government jobs. A large share of students, especially from public universities, focus on securing a government position as it becomes their ultimate goal. It offers a stable life, social honour, and a risk free career path. These features are understandably attractive in an uncertain and risky economic environment. However, this collective preference has obvious consequences. Every year, thousands of graduates invest several years solely to prepare for competitive exams, yet the number of available positions remains extremely limited. This eventually creates a queue, where a large share of the literate workforce remains economically inactive, waiting for a small chance at success. The scale of this competition reveals the magnitude of the issue. Data shows that in the 50th BCS examination, over 290,000 candidates competed for just 2,150 positions, which means on average there appeared more than 135 applicants against one post. In earlier cycles, such as the 49th BCS (Special), competition exceeded 450 applicants per seat. Ultimately, the success rate drops to nearly 0.2 percent, and even lower for general cadres. From an economic perspective, this reflects not only intense competition but also a massive allocation of time and human capital toward extremely low-probability outcomes. From an economist's point of view, this represents a substantial opportunity cost. Time that could have been spent gaining knowledge, experience, developing skills or contributing to the private sector is fully absorbed in a long period of exam preparation.
This trend also has an influence on the broader economy of our country. This challenge is not isolated to Bangladesh alone but reflects a broader global trend. According to the International Labour Organization, nearly one in four young people worldwide, which is around 262 million, are classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training). However, Bangladesh's situation appears particularly concerning. The ILO estimates that 22 percent of Bangladesh's youths aged 15-29 are classified as NEET, with an acute gender gap: 27.1 per cent for young women compared to 16.2 per cent for young men. Such figures indicate that a large portion of the youth population remains disengaged from both productive employment and skill formation. When a large share of talented youth concentrates towards a narrow set of secure jobs, other sectors struggle to attract skilled workers. The private sector, which is indispensable for innovation and long-term economic growth, often faces a shortage of motivated and capable youths. This imbalance slows down the dynamic economy of a country and puts a limitation on the country's capabilities to adapt to a fast changing world.
If we look deeper into the matter, we observe that this preference for government jobs is not simply an individual choice. It is driven by structural realities, including job insecurity in the private sector, limited social protection, and a lack of clear career progression in many industries. These factors often make the problem even more complex. Thus the government job obsession cannot be treated as an irrational behaviour, rather a logical one in these uncertain circumstances. However, when this rational behaviour gets multiplied at a large scale, it creates outcomes which may not be optimal for the economy as a whole.
There is also a non-dominant but important matter in how young people use different technologies. Digital tools, despite their potential to enhance learning and productivity, are often used more for consumption than for skill development. Social media, cheap and time wasting content, and entertainment platforms get control over daily routines, sometimes at the cost of meaningful engagement with knowledge or skill-building of the youth. This does not imply the inherent negativity of technology but rather raises questions about how effectively it is being used in shaping human capital.
All these factors jointly suggest that the problem of youth employment in Bangladesh cannot be understood just by looking at the number of jobs existing or being created. It is an issue involving education, aspirations, incentives from institutions and global economic trends. In order to address the problem, it requires more than just creating more jobs. It requires rethinking the ways young people are being prepared for the future.
Concerned authorities should focus on both supply and demand sides simultaneously before taking policy considerations. In the education sector, curricula must move beyond rote learning to include practical skills, problem-solving, and digital literacy. Stronger connections between universities and related field industries could help ensure that what students are actually learning is relevant to the real-world demands of the job market. Besides, internships, project-based learning, and exposure to diverse career paths can play an important role in this regard.
Reforming private-sector conditions matters just as much. To make non-government jobs and careers more alluring to the job seekers, better job security, transparent hiring processes and clearer career advancement needs to be ensured. Encouraging entrepreneurship and supporting small and medium enterprises can also help build alternative pathways for employment and career prospects.
A mindset shift is just as necessary alongside all of this. The concept of success needs to be changed from a single, narrow definition. In a fast changing world economy, adaptability matters more than stability and skill development more than just survival. This shift will never be an easy one, especially in a society where social expectations are deeply rooted and societal people influence personal decisions. Still, we need to kick off right at this moment.
To conclude, the challenge is not that our country lacks potential or talent. Its youth demographic is one of its greatest strengths, which is at the peak of its productivity at present. The actual question is whether the potential of these youths is being directed correctly and effectively to meet the future of work. If current trends continue, there is a high chance that many young people will find themselves prepared for a world that no longer exists. They will be waiting for opportunities that are limited and overlooking chances that are emerging.
Recognising this mismatch should be the first step. The next step will be to act at both the policy level and the individual level at the same time, which will ensure that the journey is taking the youth toward a sustainable economy. An economy cannot progress when its most educated minds are waiting in queues instead of building its future.
safwanhossain9051560634@gmail.com
Are our youths preparing for the wrong future?
The government job obsession works as a hidden barrier to economic dynamism
Md Safwan Hossain Dibbo | Published: May 09, 2026 21:23:20
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