Almost 80 per cent of the country's youth have reported a reduction in their household income while 28 per cent left studies to support families financially amid coronavirus pandemic.
According to a survey, nearly 60 per cent of the respondents were not involved in any online education or training during the period.
Again, 9.0 per cent of the respondents did not have any access to internet.
Besides, a majority of the unemployed youth have sought Tk 5,000 monthly unemployment benefit from the government, the survey found.
The findings of the survey styled 'COVID-19 and Bangladesh: A Youth Agenda for Recovery' were unveiled during a virtual dialogue hosted by Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, on Sunday.
Shameem Haider Patwary, a standing committee member of law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry, addressed the event as the special guest.
Centre for Policy Dialogue's (CPD) distinguished fellows Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya and Prof Mustafizur Rahman, among others, spoke.
CPD programme associate Tamara-E-Tabassum presented the study at the programme moderated by CPD senior research fellow Towfiqul Islam Khan. Representatives from different underprivileged communities also spoke.
Dr Bhattacharya, also convener of the platform, suggested that the government seriously consider introduction of unemployment allowance in the 2021-22 national budget as part of the Covid-19 response.
Referring to multiple problems facing the nation's youth, he said policies discriminate youths by generalising their problems.
Everyone's problem is dissimilar in terms of financial condition, area of living, access to digital tools, racial identity and disability, among others.
Dr Bhattacharya said there is also gender gap in development approaches where young women are neglected in technical education while members of the third gender are left in most policies.
Addressing the event, Prof Rahman said it would not be possible to implement the 'leave no-one behind' concept of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) without the youth's active participation.
He recognised the need to address gaps in access to finance, lack of skills, rural-urban inequity and gender among the young population.
There are many good policies here, but the key problem lies at execution level, Prof Rahman regretted.
In his speech, Mr Patwary stressed the need for strengthening vocational education in every upazila to build the youth with job-oriented skills.
The parliamentarian, however, expressed his disagreement over the concept of unemployment benefit, rather emphasising training allowance for five to six months during their training period.
Presenting the findings, Ms Tabassum said around 80-per cent respondents reported a significant reduction in household income which has adversely affected their education, particularly to girls.
Almost one third or 28 per cent of those questioned left studies to supplement family income while females were more prone to leave studies for marriage and supporting their families.
In case of digital access, half the participants reported not having equipment like smartphone, laptop and computer which limit their access to online education, training and employment.
Citing that nearly 95 per cent of the youth are suffering from mental stresses, Ms Tabassum said about two-thirds respondents are tense about their future.
Only 10 per cent expressed hope, she mentioned.
In this situation, 99-per cent respondents agreed on having a public agency to register unemployed youths in database while 70 per cent sought Tk 5,000 in monthly unemployment benefit.
The number of respondents of the survey was 1,163-males 863 (74 per cent) and females 299 (26 per cent).
An estimated 85 per cent of the respondents were in the 18-30 age bracket.
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