BANGLADESH, home to more than 170 million people, is often lauded for its steady economic growth, social development and demographic dividend. Yet, buried beneath this progress lies a silent but mounting crisis — the growing number of youth who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET). Representing a significant portion of the population, these disconnected young people are frequently overlooked in mainstream development narratives. Their exclusion from the formal economy, educational pathways and skill-building opportunities squanders individual potential and directly threatens the nation’s long-term social and economic stability. This structural and systemic crisis demands urgent, comprehensive action from all segments of society. It is not merely a youth issue — it is a national imperative.
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Understanding the crisis
NOT in employment, education, or training youth, as defined by the International Labour Organization, are individuals aged 15–24 who are neither working nor enrolled in any form of education or training. In Bangladesh, approximately 29 per cent of the youth population — over 10 million individuals — fall into this category. This group is far from homogeneous: it includes school dropouts, graduates facing a mismatch between their skills and market demand, urban youth in precarious informal employment and rural youth with few opportunities. A disproportionately large number are young women constrained by entrenched gender norms to unpaid domestic roles.
The urgency of addressing this crisis becomes clearer in light of Bangladesh’s demographic composition. With more than 30 per cent of the population aged between 15 and 29, the country stands at the cusp of either a demographic dividend or a demographic disaster. If this large youth cohort remains disengaged, the social and economic consequences will be profound — ranging from economic stagnation and widening inequality to political unrest and growing social alienation.
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Regional perspective
BANGLADESH’S NEET rate is among the highest in South Asia. India, despite its larger population, reports a rate of 30 per cent, while Pakistan stands at 34 per cent — the highest in the region. Sri Lanka, by contrast, has managed to keep its rate to 17 per cent, attributed to its robust education infrastructure and stronger focus on vocational training. Bhutan and Nepal, with rates of 18 per cent and 22 per cent respectively, have seen success through targeted youth employment schemes and community-based empowerment initiatives.
These comparisons underline both the scale of Bangladesh’s challenge and the opportunity to learn from others. Sri Lanka’s investments in universal education and training infrastructure and Bhutan’s grassroots youth empowerment models, demonstrate that policy intent combined with resource allocation can shift the tide. For Bangladesh, the failure to act decisively risks turning this human resource advantage into a liability.
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Root causes
THE NEET phenomenon in Bangladesh stems from a complex interplay of structural, social, and economic barriers. High dropout rates, especially among girls, remain a major issue. Reasons include poverty, early marriage, gender-based discrimination and lack of schools in rural areas. Even those who complete secondary education often lack market-relevant skills. Overcrowded classrooms, outdated curricula, undertrained teachers and insufficient infrastructure further weaken learning outcomes.
Here, the formal sector is too small to absorb the increasing number of young job-seekers. The informal sector, which employs the majority, offers low wages and poor working conditions. The disconnect between academic curricula and labour market demands compounds the issue. Many graduates in fields like IT, engineering, and healthcare find themselves unemployable due to inadequate training.
Gender inequality is another major concern. Young women face acute barriers to participation. Cultural expectations assign them domestic roles, while concerns about safety, mobility and harassment deter engagement in education or the workforce. These constraints are intensified by inadequate policy support for women’s education and employment.
Rural-urban divide and economic disparity remains is also worrying. Rural youth face limited educational and employment options, often compelled by poverty to abandon studies and take up menial jobs. Migration to urban centres seldom improves prospects, as most end up in informal, insecure work.
Then comes weak vocational training ecosystem. Vocational training remains underfunded, poorly equipped and socially stigmatised. A prevailing mindset that favours academic credentials over technical skills has undermined efforts to promote vocational pathways. This perception is reinforced by the lack of visible success stories from vocational sectors.
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Consequences
THE repercussions of this crisis extend across economic, social and political domains. NEET youth constitute a wasted asset, contributing neither to the economy nor to national productivity. Prolonged exclusion from work or education diminishes future earnings and employability, creating a cycle of dependency and lost potential.
Idle and disillusioned youth are more susceptible to engaging in crime, drug abuse, or extremist networks. Disconnection from productive pursuits also contributes to rising mental health issues, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies.
A growing NEET population erodes trust in state institutions. Frustration with lack of opportunities can lead to social unrest, disaffection with democratic processes and increased irregular migration. These trends pose serious risks to the country’s political and economic trajectory.
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Toward integrated response
A CRISIS of this scale demands a coordinated, strategic, and sustained response involving all stakeholders. Improving retention and learning outcomes must be prioritised. Financial support through stipends, especially for girls and students from marginalised groups, can reduce dropouts. Curriculum reform, teacher training and investment in infrastructure are essential to align education with future workforce needs.
Bangladesh must also de-stigmatise vocational education through public awareness campaigns and incorporate skill-based training in mainstream education. Industry partnerships can help design relevant training modules and provide practical exposure through apprenticeships and internships. Regional diversification of training centres can ensure outreach to rural and disadvantaged youth.
Labour-intensive sectors such as agro-processing, textiles and light manufacturing should be promoted to absorb youth. The digital economy — freelancing, e-commerce, IT services — presents immense potential and must be supported through digital literacy initiatives, access to devices and affordable internet. Public-private partnerships can accelerate job creation and upskilling simultaneously.
Ensuring safe public spaces, enforcing laws against harassment and promoting positive narratives about working women are crucial. Policy incentives — such as tax breaks for companies hiring women or transport allowances for female students — can improve gender parity in both education and employment.
Conditional cash transfers, free or subsidised training programmes, and youth-targeted entrepreneurship grants can mitigate economic pressures and encourage participation in productive activities. Such safety nets are especially vital for low-income, rural and female NEET populations.
Digital platforms can be used to deliver training content, connect job seekers with employers and offer career counselling. Online marketplaces and micro-task platforms can provide entry points into the gig economy. The government must invest in expanding digital infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
The National Youth Policy needs robust implementation mechanisms. A dedicated NEET task force, involving ministries of education, labour, ICT and youth, can streamline interventions. Cross-sectoral collaboration and data-driven policymaking will be key to designing effective and targeted programmes.
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Collective action
THE state must lead by allocating more resources, enacting inclusive policies and ensuring enforcement. Investments in rural development — education, health, infrastructure — are critical to prevent urban overcrowding and expand local opportunities.
Employers must participate in bridging the education-employment gap through internships, skill-based hiring and collaboration with training institutions. Creating youth-friendly workplaces and supporting start-ups through incubation programmes can boost youth employment.
NGOs and community-based organisations play a critical role in identifying NEET youth, implementing grassroots interventions and advocating for inclusive policies. Their close proximity to affected communities allows for tailored, need-based solutions.
Global partners can bring technical expertise, funding and policy frameworks that have succeeded elsewhere. Knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives can enhance the effectiveness of national strategies.
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Time to actÌý
THE NEET crisis in Bangladesh is not an abstract demographic concern — it is a pressing socio-economic emergency. If left unaddressed, it could destabilise the very foundations of the country’s development aspirations. But with the right policies, investments, and political will, the crisis can be transformed into an opportunity — turning disengaged youth into drivers of progress.
Bangladesh’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2041 hinges on the inclusion and empowerment of its youth. No vision can be achieved if over a quarter of the country’s young people are left behind. The urgency is real. The roadmap is clear. What remains is the resolve to act — collectively, strategically and without delay.
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Musharraf Tansen is a development analyst and former country representative of Malala Fund.