Youth unemployment rate nearly doubled in Bangladesh between 1994 and 2017, according to a UN agency report.
The unemployment rate increased to 11 per cent in 2017 from 6.0 per cent in 1994, the "State of World Population Report 2019" said. The UNFPA Bangladesh launched the report in Dhaka Wednesday.
According to the report the share of the working age population (aged between15-29 years) rose from 49 per cent in 1994 to 62.7 per cent in 2018.
The UNFPA, however, noted that the significant rise in the country's working age population has offered a demographic dividend to its economy.
Young population constitutes 30 per cent of the country's total population---over 50 million out of the 163 million--- the report said adding that the demographic trend in Bangladesh has opened up new economic opportunities.
The UNFPA, however, maintained that the population needed to be equipped with quality education, health and decent work to reap the full benefit of the demographic dividend.
"Women and ethnic minorities remain particularly vulnerable. MDG progress was uneven across different regions within Bangladesh. And the staggering maternal mortality over the last decade was a matter of concern," it said.
The UN agency found the recent trend in women's participation in the labour force encouraging.
According to the report, life expectancy at birth increased from 70.4 per cent in 2013 to 72.0 years in 2017.
Another interesting fact shown in the report is the rise in the elderly population.
The elderly population of Bangladesh is increasing at a remarkable rate.
The share of population above the age of 60 was 4.4 per cent in 1951 but in 2016 it was 7.5 per cent of the population, which means the number rose from 1.9 million to 12 million, the report said.
This number is expected to increase to 14.6 million (about 9 per cent) by the year 2025.
However, the contraceptive prevalence rate and the unmet need for family planning have not showing any "appreciable change" over the last decade, sexual and reproductive health of women and girls in Bangladesh needs added attention.
In gender gap, Bangladesh was placed in the 47th place out of 144 places in 2017 marking a significant improvement from 2016 when it was placed in the 72th position.
While releasing the report, UN resident coordinator in Dhaka Mia Seppo said the violence against women remains a serious issue in parts of the region.
State minister for health and family welfare Dr Murad Hassan said Bangladesh is well ahead of most of its neighbours in promoting women empowerment.
Dr Asa Torkelsson, the UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh, was also present at the launching ceremony.
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