Bangladesh’s Growing Unemployment Crisis

Published:  12:00 AM, 03 January 2025

What You Didn’t Know!!

What You Didn’t Know!!


 Mahdia Binte Zaman

Have you ever wondered how dire the job market situation must be for an era to be called “The Age of Doom”? Today, unemployment is no longer limited to only 2.59 million unemployed workers in Bangladesh. However, the issue goes beyond unemployment statistics. It raises the question of the root causes behind this persistent problem—an issue that no leader or regime, from the colonial era to the present day, has been able to control effectively.
What lies at the heart of this escalating unemployment crisis? Unfortunately, many leaders seem reluctant to address the underlying societal issues. Possibly, they are unwilling to tackle the horses because it is more tactful not to tackle such employment issues. Perhaps these kinds of problems are kept in place so that they can use a vulnerable population and even use them from within.

For instance, consider the plight of a student who has completed an honors or master’s degree. How can such individuals gain experience before landing a job? Is that even possible? Before casting a vote in the next election, it might be worthwhile to ask representatives: “How concerned are you about ensuring basic needs—food and clothing—are met?”

The unemployment crisis in Bangladesh is severe and warrants an in-depth analysis. To illustrate, even for a cleaner’s job, the educational qualification required is now a master’s degree. A recent article revealed that in the recruitment process for 2,172 railway waymen positions—classified as fourth-grade jobs requiring candidates to clean railway tracks—every single successful applicant had a postgraduate degree.

This is not an isolated incident but a reflection of the grim realities of the job market. Graduates from tertiary education institutions are grappling with a burning question: What now? After completing their studies, many are left wondering about their next steps in a world with limited opportunities.

The Roots of Unemployment: A Historical Analysis

To understand this crisis, it is essential to delve into the past, tracing back nearly 200 years to the colonial period. During British rule, policies and laws systematically marginalized the Muslim community of Bengal. After the partition of India, this backwardness persisted, making employment and income generation a significant challenge for Muslims in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).

Urbanization in Bangladesh’s major cities began as people moved in search of jobs. However, the lack of industrial and infrastructural development exacerbated unemployment. Historical accounts reveal that even in the 19th century, top-ranking students struggled to secure jobs, often wandering the streets for menial positions. The colonial system reserved prestigious jobs for Europeans, leaving educated locals with low-paying roles as clerks, teachers, or small traders.

Historian Sumit Sarkar aptly described the job market during this era, noting how the economic conditions were so bleak that people referred to the time as “Kali Yuga.” A literary genre called Kali Yuga Sahitya emerged, capturing the despair of that period.

The Partition and Its Aftermath

The partition of India in 1947 brought more challenges. While it created a homeland for Muslims, the country failed to achieve holistic development. A large educated population remained unemployed, as the colonial legacy of producing degree-holding yet jobless individuals persisted.

During the Pakistan era, universities like Dhaka, Rajshahi, and Chittagong were established, producing graduates in large numbers. However, the job market could not keep pace. A significant portion of the population, deprived of land ownership due to the 1950 East Bengal State Acquisition and Tenancy Act, migrated to cities like Dhaka in search of work.

The urbanization of Dhaka led to significant infrastructural changes in the 1950s and 60s. Industries like jute mills, tea factories, and paper mills emerged under public-private partnerships. Yet, despite these advancements, the demand for jobs far outstripped supply.

The Present-Day Crisis

Fast forward to 2024, and the situation remains dire. The mismatch between education and job opportunities continues. For example, Pakistan’s historical "Educated Unemployed Project" appeared to have found its contemporary counterpart in Bangladesh’s labor market. The issue is systemic, rooted in colonial policies, lack of industrialization, and inefficient governance.

Even now, a vast number of graduates are produced each year with limited avenues for employment. While educated people frequently find themselves overqualified for open professions, the need for competent workers is nevertheless unfulfilled.

Moving Forward

Addressing the unemployment crisis requires bridging the gap between education and work opportunities. Vocational training, industrial development, and government policies aimed at creating jobs are essential. There is also a need to critically evaluate the role of political leaders in addressing this issue.

For millions of people, unemployment is a reality, not simply a statistic. It is necessary to demand sustainable solutions and hold leaders accountable. After all, tackling unemployment is about more than simply jobs; it's about stability, dignity, and society's future.


Mahdia Binte Zaman is currently
pursuing her studies in
Economics discipline at
University of Dhaka.



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