The old generation has always felt worried about posterity who would follow them next. The concern is universal but it has become more relevant for Bangladesh in recent years. Are the young being brought up correctly and properly, has been a common refrain among the senior citizens. This concern gives emphasis on the education received by the young and their behaviour pattern. Character building is seen as the cornerstone of preparing the young for the future. The onus of good upbringing falls on the shoulders of parents and guardians. Teachers take a fair share of responsibility in this respect. As for the members of the young generation great store is set on their initiative, dedication and hard work.
Now-a-days the attention has shifted to the external environment confronting the young. They are often seen as victims of circumstances. Deteriorating educational standard in the country has become a matter of great concern. The volatile law and order situation gives no respite to the worries of parents and guardians. Political violence and instability are seen as great hindrances to the proper upbringing of the young. Performance of the economy keep elders wondering what kind of future there off-springs would have in the country. All told, the general outlook in the country does not find many among the old generation hopeful about the prospects of making a good living in the country by the young. Often their pessimism is shared by the young generation. Under the circumstances, many of the parents and guardians encourage them to go abroad in search of a better life. Well educated and skilled young men (also women) are seeking their fortune abroad in growing numbers. There is a virtual brain drain from Bangladesh for quite sometime.
Now comes the news that the majority of the Bangladeshis have become optimistic about their children's economic future in the country. The growth posted by the economy in recent years is the source of the new-found confidence. This has been corroborated by the finding in a recent study abroad. The Washington-based 'fact tank' Pew Research Center conducted a survey in which around 71 per cent of respondents said their children would be better off than them in future in Bangladesh. The finding of the study has not come as a surprise to Bangladeshis who think the country has done well in maintaining stable growth, reducing poverty and promoting human development in recent years.
Bangladesh's economy has grown at a rate of 6.0 per cent and above over the last one and a half decades in the face of several constraints like inadequate power supply, limited and worn-out infrastructures. In spite of these the economy has maintained positive trend in all sectors. Poverty has been declining by 1.7 per cent every year since 2000, according to Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Ready-made garments sector has kept up its upward trend becoming the second largest exporter, next to China. Agro-processing industries have been thriving adding value to agricultural produce. Even agricultural products are being exported abroad, including Europe. The IT (information technology) sector has been expanding fast drawing young people. Bangladesh has become a hub for outsourcing software by European and American companies. In fashion and culinary sectors young Bangladeshi entrepreneurs have carved out a niche earning plaudits from foreigners and deshis alike.
The survey carried out by Pew Research Centre was named 'Global Attitudes Projects' under which 48643 individuals from 44 countries were interviewed from March 17 to June 05, 2014. Bangladesh was part of this survey and its sample size was 1000. In general the survey found that emerging and developing nations like Bangladesh are more optimistic that the next generation will have higher standards of living. What is more important, the survey found greater opportunities at home than abroad.
Majorities or pluralities in 30 of the 34 emerging and developing countries surveyed said they would tell young people in their countries to stay at home to reap the benefit of the opportunities offered to them in order to lead a good life, instead of moving to another country. About half or more in 16 of the 25 countries surveyed said children in their countries would be better off financially than their parents.
Among the developing countries, in which Bangladesh is included, roughly half or more in Nicaragua, Senegal, Ghana and Uganda said their children would be more successful than the older generation. Fewer than four in 10 agreed in Tanzania, Kenya, El Salvador and the Palestine territories. In contrast, advanced economies, as they continue to struggle with the effects of the Great Recession, are pessimistic about the financial prospects of the next generation.
Overall, optimism is linked with recent economic performance. Countries that have enjoyed a relatively high level of growth in recent years also register some of the highest levels of confidence in their children's economic future. Economic growth is thus seen as the pivot on which optimism is built. All other factors are of secondary importance. In this sense economics is in command.
Good education and hard work are often seen as the keys to getting ahead in life, and this view is especially prevalent in emerging and developing nations where most see economic opportunities expanding, the survey found. Still, many also believe success can be determined or influenced by matters outside of a person's control, such as luck or having a wealthy legacy.
In most developing nations, majorities still believe success is determined by outside forces, including 74 per cent in Bangladesh and 67 per cent in Ghana. Half of the Bangladeshis think having a good education is the most important factor in getting ahead in life, while 26 per cent think it is hard work. Many consider this to be realistic because the country's main resource is labour which can be productively utilised only through education and training. Hard work complements this.
There are other interesting results of the survey. About 16 per cent of Bangladeshis think knowing the right people is crucial, while 20 per cent think it is due to being lucky.
Despite the optimism for future that exists in many countries there is widespread concern about inequality. Even in the emerging and developing countries there is a consensus that those at the top are reaping the benefits of economic growth more disproportionately while others are being left behind. Some 29 per cent of Bangladeshis blame inequality on the governments' policies, 27 per cent on wages and 20 per cent on the educational system. To address inequality 41 per cent of Bangladeshis surveyed said it could be tackled by imposing high taxes on the wealthy and corporations to encourage investment. On the other hand, 40 per cent said low tax would work better.
Though most people were concerned about income inequality, majorities in the countries surveyed were willing to accept some inequality and preferred a free market system. Belief in free market was found to be highest in developing countries like Bangladesh (median of 71 per cent). Nearly two-thirds or more in all of nine of the developing countries surveyed agreed that most people benefit from free market system, including 80 per cent in Bangladesh, 75 per cent Ghanaians and 74 per cent of Kenyans. Although inequality is seen as a major problem, only 34 per cent perceived this as a major challenge. It would appear to many that regulation of the market is not seen as an important task of the government. Nor the absence of welfare measures by the government for the disadvantaged will appear as convincing and satisfactory.
In all countries the youth represent the future. Those among them who have good education and training can contribute the most to the development of the country. In return they will be its beneficiary. It is hoped that the good news conveyed by the survey of Pew Research Centre about the bright prospect in developing countries like Bangladesh will encourage more and more young people to stay at home rather than going abroad. Meanwhile, policy makers should address the issues and problems that discourage the young generation to live and work in their own country. There cannot be any illusion that in the ultimate analysis it is politics that determines economic development. Discussion on the prospects of the young generation inevitably veers towards political economy.                                 Â
hasnat.hye5@gmail.com
Generation next, Bangladesh
Hasnat Abdul Hye | Published: November 23, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 22, 2014 22:07:25
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