United News of Bangladesh

Tanvir Rahman holds a business degree and big dreams, but after two years of job hunting, he is still waiting for his first real opportunity. Tanvir’s story is far from unique. Across Bangladesh, thousands of graduates like him are facing rejection, disillusionment, and a shrinking pool of job opportunities, as the promise of higher education continues to fall short of delivering a meaningful career. “I graduated two years ago, but I have yet to find a stable job,” said Tanvir Rahman, a 26-year-old business graduate. “Many companies ask for years of experience, which fresh graduates like me simply don’t have.” Despite holding university degrees, a growing number of young graduates in Bangladesh are struggling to secure employment, underlining a critical issue within the country’s labour market. According to the latest report from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the unemployment rate among educated youth—graduates and postgraduates—has reached around 11%, markedly higher than the overall national unemployment rate of approximately 4.2%. The situation has been further aggravated by broader economic challenges, the rise of automation and the lack of adequate skill-based training. The latter half of 2024 and the beginning of 2025 have been especially bleak for job seekers, as job advertisements in both the public and private sectors have slowed dramatically. Even private sector investment remains sluggish. Data from the Bangladesh Bank revealed that private sector credit grew 9.86% year-on-year in August, only to dip to 7.66% in November. The decline continued with a drop of 9.20% in September and 8.30% in October. This comes despite the central bank’s monetary policy target of 9.8% growth by December. Bangladesh’s total labour force is 7.34 crore, 26.3 lakh are jobless: BBS Moreover, during the July-November period of the current fiscal year, the settlement of letters of credit (LCs) for capital machinery import dropped by 21.90% compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, reflecting reduced industrial expansion. While public sector jobs account for only around 6% of total employment, the private sector is expected to accommodate the rest of the country’s workforce. Experts attribute the worsening crisis to a persistent mismatch between academic education and industry needs, limited job opportunities, and a fiercely competitive market. “Universities in Bangladesh produce thousands of graduates each year, but many of them lack the practical skills employers are looking for,” said Mahmudul Hasan, an HR executive at a multinational company in Dhaka. “There is a significant gap between academic learning and market demands. Employers are looking for candidates with technical and digital skills, problem-solving abilities, and real-world experience,” he said. Government initiatives such as internship programmes, vocational training, and digital skill development courses have been introduced in an attempt to address the problem. Yet, experts argue that these efforts remain insufficient without stronger collaboration between academic institutions and industries. Economists warn that continued youth unemployment could lead to long-term consequences, including social unrest, brain drain, and economic stagnation. Many disheartened young people are seeking employment abroad, contributing to a growing outflow of skilled talent from the country. A recent BBS report revealed that the unemployment rate among university graduates has now risen to 12.3%, significantly above the national average. “I completed my degree in Business Administration two years ago, but I have yet to find a stable job,” said Fahim Rahman, a graduate from a reputed university in Dhaka. “Most employers ask for experience, but how can fresh graduates gain experience if no one is willing to hire us?” Employers continue to express concern that the country’s education system does not adequately prepare students for the demands of the job market. Many companies now prefer candidates with hands-on experience or vocational training over those with only theoretical knowledge. Mushroom farming: The story of a jobless youth becoming an entrepreneur in Jashore Additionally, the advent of automation and artificial intelligence is reducing the need for traditional white-collar jobs, placing further strain on employment prospects for graduates. While the government has rolled out programmes aimed at enhancing employability—such as those spearheaded by the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA)—many graduates still struggle to find jobs that align with their qualifications. In December 2023, Bangladesh reported a total of 70,983,000 employed persons, while the labour force participation rate stood at 61.7%. Experts stress that without meaningful reforms in both education and employment policies, the dream of becoming a middle-income country could remain elusive. The growing number of unemployed graduates is fast becoming a new dimension of the country’s economic and social challenges. As universities continue to produce an increasing number of degree holders each year, the job market is struggling to absorb the influx, leaving many without viable employment. “This crisis in graduate employment is not just a youth problem—it’s a national one,” said a Dhaka-based economist. “If we don’t act now, we risk long-term economic stagnation.” The government has acknowledged the crisis and introduced initiatives promoting entrepreneurship, vocational training, and digital skills development. Meanwhile, private companies are also offering internship programmes and skill-building workshops to help bridge the gap between education and employment. However, concerns are mounting over the rising trend of 'overqualification', where graduates are forced to take on jobs that require significantly lower skills than their academic qualifications. “I have a master’s degree in Business Administration, but I am currently working as a customer service representative,” shared Rabbi Dewan, a recent graduate. “I had no choice but to take this job because finding a role that matches my qualifications has been incredibly difficult.” Experts underline that addressing the graduate employment crisis requires a multifaceted approach, including reforming the education system, improving career counselling services, and boosting investment in job creation. No easy bank loans, say jobless expatriates, but bank refutes allegations As graduates continue to flood the job market, pressure is mounting on policymakers, businesses, and academic institutions to find sustainable solutions. While the challenges are serious, the solutions are within reach. With stronger collaboration and strategic planning, Bangladesh has the potential to transform its young, educated population into a powerful engine of growth and innovation.

Bangladesh's inflation slightly eased in December, with overall inflation dropping by 0.49 percentage points and food inflation by 0.88 percentage points, providing some relief to consumers. According to the latest data released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on Monday (January 6), overall inflation in December stood at 10.89%, down from 11.38% in November. Food inflation, a significant contributor to the country's rising cost of living throughout the past year, dropped to 12.92% in December, compared to 13.80% in November. Read: Inflation in Bangladesh climbs to 11.38% in Nov Non-food inflation also saw a marginal decline, decreasing from 9.39% in November to 9.26% in December. Rural and Urban Trends Inflation trends varied slightly between rural and urban areas. In rural regions, overall inflation dropped by 0.44 percentage points to 11.09% in December. Read: Inflation overshadows Bangladesh’s economic stride in 2024 Among this, food inflation stood at 12.63%, while non-food inflation reached 9.65%. In urban areas, overall inflation declined by 0.53 percentage points, settling at 10.84% in December. Food inflation in cities was reported at 13.56%, with non-food inflation at 9.17%. This fall in inflation offers some relief to households across the country, although rates remain high, particularly for food items, said economists, urging policymakers to focus on stabilising prices further to ensure economic resilience in the months ahead.

The fourth Economic Census of the country will start on Tuesday, aiming to have a comprehensive understanding of the structural changes in the nation’s economy over time. The Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) announced this at a press briefing held at its auditorium on Monday. The census, which will be conducted nationwide from December 10 to 26, will utilise a fully digital system. The slogan for the Economic Census 2024 is “Orthonoitik Shumarite Tottho Din, Notun Bangladesh Binirmane Ongsho Nin”. Statistics and Informatics Division Secretary Md Mahbub Hossain, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Director General Mohammad Mizanur Rahman, Economic Census Project Director and Additional Secretary SM Shakil Akhter, and Statistics Division Joint Secretary Dr Dipankar Roy spoke at the press briefing. Economic Census Deputy Project Director Mizanur Rahman provided an overview of the census. The primary objectives of the Economic Census are to: ·         Gain insights into structural changes in the economy over time; ·         Determine the structure of non-farm economic activities; ·         Provide institutional data; ·         Offer fundamental information about organisations engaged in economic activities, categorised by type; ·         Estimate the workforce involved in economic activities and understand their classifications; ·         Assess facilities available in industries or businesses; ·         Categorise industries and businesses based on capital investment and workforce structure; ·         Supply updated data to policymakers, planners, researchers, and other stakeholders for industrial development. Md Mahbub Hossain said that this Economic Census would be entirely paperless, leaving no scope for external interference. He said that digital maps have been created using Geographic Information System (GIS) and geo-coding to ensure the smooth execution of census activities. Enumerators have already been provided with identity cards to facilitate access to census units. The Secretary urged all stakeholders to ensure active participation and cooperation for the success of the Economic Census. Project Director SM Shakil Akhter mentioned that a report on the main census operations would be ready by the end of January 2025. Some 95,000 skilled and experienced enumerators have been selected for the census, he added. A total of 140,000 tablets have been prepared for the Economic Census, with 1.13 lakh tablets kept on standby, following their use in the recent Population Census. Responding to a question, Joint Secretary Dr Dipankar Roy highlighted new features of this census, including the introduction of income, expenditure, and profit data for units and the inclusion of e-commerce operations. Interim Government to implement new 'Statistics Policy' amid allegations of data manipulation by BBS “One enumerator will gather information on 150 units, including new establishments within their jurisdiction,” Dr Roy said. The census will cover 1.22 crore economic households, ensuring no economic activity is excluded, even mobile units like vegetable vendors on vans. He also mentioned that a Post-Enumeration Check (PEC) would be conducted to rectify any errors found in the census. Inflation decreases by 1.17 % in August: BBS This year’s Economic Census will include new aspects, such as data on foreign nationals working in Bangladesh and information on digital and e-commerce businesses. The census will address social and environmental issues, identify challenges, and evaluate ICT integration in production processes through 70 questions. It will also analyse institutions’ income, expenditure, and profitability. The country has been divided into 13 divisions, 130 districts, 520 Upazilas, 2,600 zones, 19,000 supervisory areas, and 95,000 enumeration areas for the census. The three-year Economic Census project has a budget of Tk 579 crore. As the national statistical agency, the BBS conducts population, agricultural, and economic censuses. The country’s first Economic Census was conducted in 1986, followed by the second in 2001 and 2003 (in phases), and the third in 2013.  

The general point-to-point inflation rate in Bangladesh rose in November reaching 11.38 percent, up from 10.87 percent in October 2024. This rate is the highest in the last four months. According to the latest data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the increase was driven by a rise in food inflation, which jumped to 13.80 percent from 12.66 percent. IMF suggests upward policy rate in 2025 to restrain inflation: BB Meanwhile, non-food inflation showed a slight rise of 9.39 percent from 9.34 percent in November. The general point-to-point inflation rate both in urban and rural areas also increased last month. The point-to-point inflation in rural areas in November was 11.53 percent which was 11.26 percent in October. The food inflation in the rural areas was 13.41 percent in November from 12.75 percent in October while the non-food item was 9.72 percent in November from 9.72 percent in October.  On the other hand, the point-to-point inflation rate in urban areas in November was 11.37 percent which was 10.44 percent in October. The food inflation in November was 14.63 percent which was 12.53 percent in October while the non-food item in November was 9.31 percent which was 9.06 in October.    The wage rate index in November was 8.10 percent which was 8.07 percent in October 2024.

The interim government of Bangladesh is moving to establish a comprehensive 'Statistics Policy' to address longstanding concerns about inaccuracies in data published by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). This initiative follows widespread allegations that the BBS had provided misleading economic data under the previous Awami League government. During the Awami League's tenure, the BBS was repeatedly accused of inflating GDP growth figures while downplaying inflation, raising serious doubts about the credibility of the country’s official statistics. Interim Government committed to curbing essential commodity prices by breaking syndicates: Mahfuj Alam “We are working to formulate a Statistics Policy, which will soon be approved by the Advisory Council,” said Planning Adviser Dr. Wahiduddin Mahmud at a recent press briefing following an ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting. He emphasized the need for a clear, unified approach to ensure the accuracy and integrity of national data. BBS Under Scrutiny The BBS, which operates under the Ministry of Planning, faced consistent criticism for its inability to provide reliable data. Their capacity is not as strong as statistical institutions in other developing countries, Dr. Wahiduddin said. He pointed out that political pressure had influenced the BBS's economic data, particularly during periods of economic growth and inflation reporting. Sources within the Planning Commission and BBS confirmed that the agency struggles with capacity issues, making it difficult to collect and analyze accurate data. Furthermore, political interference has been a significant obstacle, particularly concerning key economic indicators such as GDP and inflation. Acknowledging these challenges, Dr. Wahiduddin reiterated his commitment to maintaining the independence of the BBS. “I have already informed them that I will not intervene in their reports, regardless of any shortcomings. The data, whether high or low, must stand on its own merit,” he said. NBR focuses on boosting low tax-to-GDP ratio as major business figures come under scrutiny Strengthening the BBS’s Capacity Dr. Wahiduddin, a well-known economist, has stressed the importance of empowering the BBS as an independent entity. He aims to enhance its ability to provide unbiased and accurate data without external interference. Discussions with officials from both the Planning Commission and BBS indicate a strong focus on capacity-building initiatives to improve the bureau's performance. The BBS is currently the sole national statistical office in Bangladesh, responsible for generating and publishing critical data on population, agriculture, industry, and the broader economy. However, under past administrations, its activities were often governed by orders and circulars, lacking a cohesive policy framework. Future Reforms The BBS gained legal grounding through the passage of the 'Statistics Act' on February 27, 2013, which formally outlined its responsibilities. According to this law, the bureau is tasked with producing accurate and timely statistics, conducting national censuses, and delivering data that meets the needs of policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders. However, the policy aims to modernize these functions and address gaps in the existing system. Among the bureau’s future tasks will be updating the National Strategy for the Development of Statistics, standardizing statistical programs to international standards, and implementing a National Data Bank. The implementation of the Statistics Policy is expected to mark a significant step toward bolstering the integrity of Bangladesh’s statistical system, ensuring that data-driven decisions can be made with confidence. Inflation decreases by 1.17 % in August: BBS

The average life expectancy and birth rate in the country have declined in a span of a year. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) revealed this on Sunday in a report titled ‘Bangladesh Sample Vital Statistics-2023’. According to the BBS report, life expectancy at birth in 2023 has decreased statistically, to 72.3 years, which was 72.4 years in 2022. On the other hand, the population growth rate has decreased in a span of a year. The general growth rate of the population in 2023 is 1.33 percent which was 1.40 percent in 2022. 'Joyee 360': IPDC launches sub-branch in Dhaka’s Mirpur for women entrepreneurs The BBS survey revealed that among the top ten causes of death, the first cause of death is cardiac arrest at 1.027 percent and the second cause at 0.64 percent was cerebral brain hemorrhage. The average age at first marriage for men is 24.2 years and for women 18.4 years. In terms of internal migration, the rural arrival rate is 20.4 and the urban arrival rate is 43.4 per thousand population. In addition, the number of young populations not in education, work or training decreased to 39.88 percent in 2023 compared to 40.67 percent in 2022. The mobile phone user population aged 5 plus increased to 59.9 percent in 2023. However, for 15plus-year-olds, the rate has slightly increased to 74.2 percent compared to 73.8 percent in 2022. 50.1% of Internet users aged 15 plus in 2023. The sex ratio is slightly downward in 2023 standing at 96.37 percent, and the dependency ratio is 53.73 percent. The population density is 1,179 persons per square kilometer. The gross birth rate per thousand population was 19.4 in 2023, which was 19.8 in 2022. At that time (2023), the obesity mortality rate per thousand population was 6.1, which was 5.8 in 2022. The under-five mortality rate is 33 per thousand and the maternal mortality ratio is 136 per 100,000 live births, compared to 153 in 2022. Bangladesh among 30 countries with the highest purchasing power parity in the world The number of birth control users in 2023 decreased slightly to 62.1 percent in 2023 compared to 63.3 percent in 2022. Unmet demand for birth control decreased to 15.57 percent in 2023 compared to 16.62 percent in 2022. Household size remained unchanged in 2023 as in 2022 at 4.2. However, the rate of female household heads increased in 2023 compared to 2022. It was 17.4 percent in 2022, which increased to 18.9 percent in 2023. On the other hand, male household head was 82.6 percent in 2022, the rate decreased to 81.17 percent in 2023.

Bangladesh's first 'National WASH Accounts 2020' report shows that WASH sector expenditure was 2.18 percent of the total GDP of the country. Planning Minister M.A. Mannan on Sunday unveiled the 'National WASH Accounts 2020' report for the first time in Bangladesh to track overall spending trends in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector while Director General of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) Mohammed Mizanur Rahman presided over the event. The report shows that Bangladesh spent an average of Tk 11,574 per household per year on WASH (i.e., Tk. 1,502 on water; Tk. 1,985 on sanitation; and Tk. 8,087 on hygiene) which is 4.3 percent of the citizens’ annual household income. Streets empty, vehicles burnt and vandalised in Dhaka as BNP-Jamaat observe hartal Distribution of household WASH expenditure by income found that households with low income and living in impoverished conditions in both urban and rural areas spent a large portion of their income on WASH. Planning minister M.A. Mannan reiterated the government's commitment to end poverty; ensure good health for all, gender equality; climate, nutrition and food security; decent employment and quality education as well as access to safe and affordable safe water and sanitation for all to achieve SDG 6 by 2030. He reassured that the government of Bangladesh is committed to making progress in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector. He also said that as part of achieving the SDG, the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics will continue to regularly update the 'National WASH Accounts' in the future to develop evidence-based planning and policies in the WASH sector as well as increase transparency and accountability in the WASH sector. Bus helper burnt to death as vehicle set on fire in Dhaka’s Demra Taking these data into consideration, all concerned including the government are expected to be able to take planning and funding initiatives to ensure safe water for disadvantaged people in cities and rural areas in the future, believed the participants of the event, he added. Secretary of Department of Statistics and Informatics Division Dr. Shahnaz Arefin highlighted that the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics under the Department of Statistics and Informatics Division will ensure required data and insights for policymakers, planners, researchers, educators and other stakeholders. Following the request of the Local Government Division, BBS and WaterAid Bangladesh with the technical support of WHO and UNICEF, successfully followed the 'TrackFin' guidelines for the first time to formulate the National WASH Accounts in Bangladesh for proper planning, policymaking and evidence-based development planning. Regional Director-South Asia, WaterAid Dr. Khairul Islam said that in order to face various challenges of proper planning of WASH sector, and to determine household-wise personal expenditure in National WASH Accounts, apart from taking primary data, institution-wise survey has also been conducted. Integrated 'National Wash Accounts' have been prepared by combining primary data with secondary data. Seminar on ‘Smart Grid: Shaping the Future of Sustainable Energy’ held in Dhaka Country Director, WaterAid Bangladesh Hasin Jahan  expressed her strong optimism that through the formulation and adoption of National Wash Accounts, and the formulation and implementation of an integrated development plan by the government, relevant development partners, local government institutions, domestic and international development agencies can ensure universal WASH services. Focal Point and Deputy Director of the National Wash Accounts development programme of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Alamgir Hossen presented the main features of the 'National Wash Accounts 2020' report while additional secretary of Local Government Division Mustakim Billah Faruqui was also present as special guest in the publication event. Representatives from various public and private institutions and development aid organizations attended the program. In addition to academicians, researchers, journalists, there were officials from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics and WaterAid Bangladesh.

Inflation continues  to persist at a high level in Bangladesh, affecting the lifestyles of common people severely as they struggle to survive on limited earnings in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. Figures released on Sunday showed general inflation remained virtually unchanged at 9.69 percent on a point-to-point basis for the month of July, having been 9.74 percent in June, said the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The Ministry of Finance and Bangladesh Bank (BB) have blamed the external factors for inflation while they failed to adopt the right fiscal and monetary policy measures, said economists. Read: General inflation virtually unchanged at 9.69 percent in July Talking with UNB former governor of the Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman said Bangladesh could not go for adequate tightening of the monetary policy in time to rein in inflation while the US Federal Reserve continues to raise policy rates persistently. He said, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has also been raising policy rates consistently, while agriculture production rising consistently to strengthen the supply side. The market imperfections caused by growth curtail the root cause of higher food inflation and other necessities. The depreciation of the Taka had also been raising imported inflation at these times. The rent-seeking on the roads by some quarters besides higher transport prices due to readjusted fuel prices may have also been fuelling inflation from the supply side, Dr Atiur said. Read: Bangladesh Bank working to normalise inflation and dollar crisis despite geopolitical challenges He suggested the ways out may be to further tighten monetary policy and reduce public expenditure to reduce public borrowing from the central bank to align fiscal policy along with tighter monetary policy. The competition commission and Consumer Protection Authority must wake up to break the curtails. The roads should also be made rent-free to facilitate smooth flows of goods and daily necessities. The exchange rate must be stabilized at a single rate and hurdles for small entrepreneurs in opening letters of credit with adequate dollar support could ensure smooth supplies of imported goods for consumption and raw materials for continued production of goods and services could also help stabilize the prices of the same. Read: Ex-governors optimistic MPS can claw back inflation, implementation the key The regulators should keep on communicating well in anchoring the inflation expectations so that inflation does not get embedded in consumer psychology. Dr Zahid Hussain, the former lead economist of the World Bank's Dhaka office, told UNB that no measure has been taken to rein the inflation so far. He said the reigning repo rate is not affecting the market, and the increase of 1.0 percent in interest rate from July is not making any impact on the money market. He pointed out that printing currency to meet government expenditures is also fuelling inflation. Read: CPD dismisses budget's projections on growth, inflation, revenue collection Dr Zahid said there is no control over pricing of essentials products in the market, and businesses are making hefty profits showing supply-side uncertainty in the wake of the foreign exchange crisis. Dr Ahsan H Mansur, former economist of IMF and executive director of Policy Research Institute (PRI), told UNB that the BB printed more currency (taka) in a single year than it had in the last 50 years, which brought  additional inflationary pressure. Denying the BB claim of printing money as a regular matter that has no impact on inflation, Mansur said printing money against the US dollar, which commercial banks sold to the central bank is a different issue. Explaining the situation, Dr Mansur said despite the dollar crisis, the printing of high-speed money (printing currency) is continuing, which obviously brings impact on higher inflation, resulting in Bangladesh’s inflation rising while Sri Lanka and other Asian countries’ inflation is falling.

The total labour force in the country is over 7.34 crore while there are 26.3 lakh people who do not have jobs.  The figure came in the "Labour Force Survey 2022" released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) on Wednesday. Out of the total force, men are 4.74 crore and women  2.59 crore while among the jobless people men are 16.9 lakh and women are 9.4 lakh. The figures came as the BBS organised a discussion meeting at Statistics Bhawan in Agargaon where Planning Minister MA Mannan was present as the chief guest.  According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the unemployed population means those who do not get a chance to work even for an hour in a week. The data showed the unemployment rate decreased in fiscal year 2021-22 compared to fiscal year 2016-17. Previously the unemployment rate was 4.2 percent but now it has come down to 3.6 percent. Read more: Overall inflation rose by 8.78 percent in February: BBS Meanwhile, the number of people aged 15 years and above who are outside the work force is 4.69 crore. On the other hand, the number of people who are engaged in work is 7.78 crore. The BBS revealed the data based on Housing Census-2022, in which information was collected from 1284 primary record areas across the country.  

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has finally released the official inflation data for the month of August, confirming it rose to the highest in a generation, together with the number for September. According to the BBS report released on Tuesday, inflation in August reached 9.52 percent, the highest in 135 months (11 years, 3 months). But it eased slightly in September, coming down to 9.1 percent. The number for July, at 7.48 percent, had already been the highest in 9 years.  The nature of the delay adds further fuel to speculation that had been rife about the government being hesitant to share data when it may go against their own narrative - making today's released data look even worse than it is.  As inflation eased slightly in September, the government felt more comfortable to officially release the data for two months together. Planning Minister MA Mannan disclosed the inflation update at the end of an ECNEC meeting on Tuesday.