Half of Bangladesh’s youth missed jobs over past decade: World Bank VP

World Bank Vice President for South Asia Johannes Zutt has said that nearly half of Bangladesh’s working-age youth failed to secure jobs over the past decade, with young women facing even greater challenges.

In a statement issued after concluding a three-day visit to Dhaka, Zutt noted that around 14 million youth entered the country’s labor market during the period, while only 8.7 million jobs were created on Tuesday.

During his visit, Zutt held meetings with key government officials, including the finance and planning adviser, the commerce adviser, and the governor of Bangladesh Bank. Discussions focused on the government’s development priorities and areas where the World Bank could extend further support.

He highlighted that the government is prioritizing large-scale job creation, skills development, and investment. The World Bank Group has also pledged to enhance its support, particularly in expanding employment opportunities for youth and women.

Zutt further emphasized that amid rising global uncertainties, Bangladesh must accelerate long-pending macroeconomic and financial sector reforms to remove structural barriers to growth and job creation.

The statement added that the World Bank is assisting member countries in building economies where growth translates into local employment. This includes investments in physical and human capital, improving the business environment, and attracting private sector investment.

Since Bangladesh’s independence, the World Bank has been one of its key development partners, committing more than $46 billion in financing through grants, interest-free loans, and low-interest credits.