Youth employment and employability

Bangladesh is focusing on educational reforms and budget allocations aimed at enhancing employment-oriented education and modernizing its curriculum. The national budget for FY 2025–26 prioritizes science, technology, and job-focused learning, with increased funding for higher and technical education. Simultaneously, the government plans to introduce a new, more inclusive and technology-driven secondary curriculum starting in 2027. Amidst these changes, individuals navigating the job market without established connections are advised to focus on skill development, well-crafted resumes, and perseverance, as these remain crucial for success in a competitive environment.

 Internship opportunity

 Jobs for youth

The employment landscape is undergoing significant shifts, with a global decline in manufacturing jobs due to automation and a rising demand for skilled trades, healthcare, and personal care roles. In Bangladesh, efforts are underway to streamline the teacher registration process by potentially removing the preliminary exam. Meanwhile, job opportunities are being advertised, including 317 positions in a Ministry of Women and Child Affairs project, and roles like Junior Storekeeper at Manarat Dhaka International School and College and Executive/Senior Executive at City Group. For higher education, Denmark is presented as an attractive destination for international students, offering quality education, scholarship opportunities, and post-study work options. Notably, a Bangladeshi student from Jahangirnagar University, Richita Khondaker Rifat, has secured a software engineer position at Google’s Taiwan office, highlighting the growing success of local talent in the global tech industry.

 Skill development

Efforts are underway in Bangladesh to empower its youth and enhance educational and career opportunities. The ‘Aran’ project by the Department of Youth Development aims to train 900,000 young individuals by 2028, equipping them with skills for employment and entrepreneurship. For job seekers, professional courses in fields like Data Science and Machine Learning, Project Management, and Cyber Security are highlighted as crucial for competitiveness. Additionally, strategic use of social media platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Telegram is suggested for effective job preparation. In higher education, BRAC University has partnered with SOAS University of London to launch a joint PhD program in global development, aiming to expand research and accessibility in the region. Furthermore, resources are available for preparing for civil service exams, exemplified by a model test focusing on Bengali literature for the 47th BCS preliminary examination.

 Youth delinquency

Recent events highlight various societal and legal challenges in Bangladesh. The juvenile justice system faces a grim reality, marked by systemic inefficiencies, human rights violations against child victims and delinquents, and concerns about outdated practices in Child Development Centres. Separately, the issue of criminal and teen gangs terrorizing areas like Mohammadpur persists, with a surge in violence despite police efforts, raising public safety concerns.

In other news, a YouTuber, Md. Sabbir Sarkar, was arrested and imprisoned for allegedly spreading anti-state statements and rumors. Tragic incidents also occurred, including the death of a young man in Sunamganj who was purportedly caught stealing, though his sister claims he was murdered. Additionally, a man was killed by his mentally unstable son in Jhenaidah during an argument in a field.

 Violence against youth

Recent reports from across Bangladesh highlight a disturbing trend of crime and violence, particularly affecting youth and women. Several incidents involve deaths under suspicious or violent circumstances: a schoolgirl’s body found in a ditch in Kulaura after she went missing; another schoolgirl’s hanging body found in Kalapara, suspected to be a suicide; and a missing schoolgirl’s body recovered from a pond in Moulvibazar, raising suspicions of murder. Additionally, a college student jumped into a river in Bogura after a family dispute and remains missing. More brutal incidents include a businessman dying from a gunshot wound and a young man stabbed to death in Dhaka, alongside the recovery of a female bank officer’s body in a suspected suicide.

The reports also detail cases of severe violence and vigilantism: a college student was allegedly raped on a moving bus in Nabiganj, leading to the driver’s arrest; a man was allegedly beaten to death in Gazipur on theft accusations, with his family claiming a land dispute was involved; and two young men were publicly beaten in Sonargaon for alleged theft, sparking outrage over local law enforcement. In Rangamati, a young man was reportedly shot dead, but police found no body or evidence, creating fear.

Furthermore, there are reports of youth involvement in crime and victimization: a member of a volunteer team in Bogura was involved in extortion and drug trafficking and accused of murder, leading to his expulsion and arrest. Two schoolgirls in Rajbari were allegedly abducted and raped while returning from tutoring, leading to an arrest and confession. These incidents collectively paint a concerning picture of public safety, particularly for vulnerable populations, and underscore the prevalence of various forms of violence and crime.

Youth and Climate

Youth in Bangladesh are being strongly urged to take a leading role in combating climate change and protecting the environment. Speakers at a World Environment Day event emphasized that young people’s active involvement and increased awareness are crucial for addressing the climate crisis. Calls were made for political parties to integrate environmental concerns into their manifestos and for increased budget allocations, stronger enforcement, and legal reforms to support environmental protection.

In a practical step towards this goal, World Environment Day was also marked in Chilmari, Kurigram, with the distribution of various fruit, flower, and forest tree saplings to over a hundred students. This initiative, organized by local youth platforms, aimed to promote environmental awareness and action among the younger generation.

 Youth Poverty

The tough choices faced by children in rural Bangladesh, where poverty often forces them to prioritize earning money over going to school. Even though secondary education is technically free, many hidden costs make it unaffordable for poor families, leading to many children dropping out and working.

Girls face extra challenges, including safety concerns and early marriage. The education system also has problems like underfunded schools, poor facilities, and ineffective school committees.

To fix this, the article suggests changes like adjusting school calendars for seasons, improving stipend delivery, building safer facilities for girls, making school committees more active, and adding vocational skills to the curriculum. It stresses that a supportive education system for the most vulnerable children is key for rural Bangladesh’s future.

 Youth advocacy and activism

Bangladeshi youth are increasingly contributing to the nation’s “soft power diplomacy” on a global scale. By pursuing education abroad, these students act as informal ambassadors, influencing international perceptions of Bangladesh. The country is actively fostering international educational partnerships and leveraging its diaspora for knowledge exchange. Despite challenges like brain drain, there’s a growing recognition of the need for strategic investment in educational diplomacy to enhance Bangladesh’s global narrative and influence.

 Youth on move and migration

Several factors are shaping the experiences of international students. Studying abroad for a semester offers significant opportunities for personal and academic growth, though Bangladeshi students often face challenges with credit transfers upon returning home. Meanwhile, international students in the U.S. are encountering increasing uncertainty, including threats of deportation and stricter scrutiny, especially under the current political climate. This has led to a climate of fear and anxiety, with some students facing detention and universities like Harvard seeing changes in their ability to enroll international students, potentially diverting top talent to other Asian territories. In contrast, Canada remains a popular and accessible destination for Master’s and PhD students, offering high-quality education, work opportunities, and pathways to permanent residency, despite recent updates to its study permit process.

 Entrepreneurship and livelihood opportunities for youth

Young entrepreneurs in Bangladesh face significant challenges. Many start businesses for financial independence or to solve community problems, but often struggle to balance their studies with their ventures. Common hurdles include managing finances, handling customer relations, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. They also encounter operational issues like fluctuating exchange rates, difficulty securing loans and investments, and intense competition. Despite these obstacles, perseverance, networking, and resilience are crucial for their success.

 Youth -led innovation

Leading Bangladeshi universities are making a mark in global science, technology, and academic competitions. In the University Rover Challenge (URC) 2025, UIU Mars Rover and BRACU Mongol-Tori secured 6th and 8th positions respectively, with MIST and IUT also participating. The Green University of Bangladesh (GUB) is also set to compete in the Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC) 2025 with their Mars rover, LOTUS.

Beyond robotics, the UIU ASCEND team achieved significant success in the CanSat 2025 World Final, ranking 7th globally and 2nd among Asian teams. Academically, a student from AIUB, Iram Azmain Mughdo, was selected for a US government exchange program focusing on natural resources and cultural activities. Furthermore, Bangladesh University of Business and Technology (BUBT) demonstrated excellence in both debate, winning a national competition, and innovation, securing a silver medal at the 7th World Invention Competition for their ‘Agro Doctor’ project. These achievements highlight the growing prowess of Bangladeshi university students in diverse international platforms.

 Youths in refugee or climatic settings

Bangladesh international media perception economic political situation.
A global aid funding crisis is severely impacting education programs in Bangladesh, particularly affecting vulnerable communities. UNICEF has been forced to halt some of its educational activities, leading to the termination of over 1,000 teacher contracts in Rohingya refugee camps and impacting host community personnel. This situation jeopardizes the access to quality education for thousands of children, with the potential for further job losses if new funding is not secured soon. The crisis highlights the broader challenges facing humanitarian efforts due to significant funding cuts, including those from major donors like the US.

 Youth health and nutrition

Across Bangladesh, there’s a growing focus on public health and mental well-being, particularly within educational settings. With a rise in Covid-19 and dengue cases, the government has issued urgent guidelines for schools, emphasizing health safety, nationwide dengue prevention campaigns, and strict adherence to health protocols for upcoming exams like the HSC. These measures include mandatory masks, hand sanitizers, mosquito repellent spraying, and medical teams at exam centers.

Concurrently, there’s an alarming increase in mental health issues among children and adolescents, partly linked to social media use. Experts are calling for more research, better education for children, and improved training for mental health professionals, while advising against outright bans on social media for minors. To address this, there’s a strong push for integrating mental health education into school curricula, establishing counseling services, and holding seminars to normalize discussions around mental well-being, ensuring it’s prioritized alongside physical health. Separately, specific institutional issues like a leadership vacuum at Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) and new gas connections for Jahangirnagar University (JU) residential halls were also noted.

 Youth with disability

 Youth with ethnic minority