NEET – a hurdle on way to development

When a large proportion of young population remains unemployed, it becomes truly difficult for a country to achieve the "developed" status for itself. That is what economists say. The latest Socio-Economic and Demographic Survey 2023 by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has published data on "not in education, employment or training" (NEET) population, aged between 15 and 24. The data portray a grim picture of Bangladesh in this respect.
From the data published, it is understood that about 18.87 per cent of this young population falls under NEET. Females trail males in unemployment by nearly three times (females 26.94 per cent: males 10.31 per cent). Division-wise NEET population is rather surprising. While it is generally accepted that Dhaka and Chattogram cities are the main hubs of economic activity, Dhaka tops NEET population with a resounding 21.17 per cent followed by Chattogram with 21.07 per cent. The percentages drop markedly from this point on for Barishal, Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. The data show that NEET percentages are higher in urban areas compared to rural setting.
This study should be acting as a wake-up call for policymakers because it gives an idea about the younger segment of the population that have either dropped out of school and not engaged in any constructive work for "at least one hour in the seven days prior to the headcount and not received any vocational training in the preceding twelve months." As stated previously, "the towns are the home of 22.28 per cent of the young unemployed, non-educated and non-trained population". Since this study is coming from the government's own statistical bureau, the BBS, there is no possibility of trashing it as "motivated".
While policymakers may find solace in an earlier report published by UNESCAP in January, 2024 that pitted other countries like Afghanistan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, etc. as having nearly 20 per cent NEET young people, it blows apart one of the biggest selling points Bangladesh has when it canvasses for foreign direct investment (FDI) and that is the "demographic dividend" the country has. What is the point of this demographic dividend if this large chunk of the population remains uneducated and unskilled? Can they play a constructive role in the economy? Can they climb the ladder of management and become skilled operators, supervisors and factory managers? Will these young men and women have meaningful roles to play in the decision-making process of productive sectors? Sadly, they won't.
That is the point economists have been pointing out for years. An education system that does not provide its graduates the skill needed by industry or other sectors result in mass dropouts. Dearth of vocational training facilities and / or curriculum remains unaddressed both at the state and private-sector level. All these translate into the country missing out on ensuring the desired development of the population that is essential for the country to jump to the status of developed nation.
Getting this NEET population under control is not rocket science. It requires prudent policies by lawmakers that can make use of existing infrastructure to set up the necessary technical education programmes. It requires sincerity at policy level to bring about changes that would positively impact on young lives, giving them hope of a better future. A more technically-sound younger population would mean greater opportunity in the global labour market and with Bangladeshis moving up the skills ladder, inward remittance could see a dramatic increase – the magic bullet that could change the fortunes of this nation and its people.
[email protected]