Bangladesh has lost 1.4 million manufacturing jobs over the past decade despite strong output growth, according to a new study by Research and Policy Integration for Development.
The study found factories needed 220 workers to produce one million dollars in exports in 2013, a figure that dropped to 94 workers in 2024 because of automation.
“Youth unemployment is more than double the national unemployment rate,” said RAPID chairman Dr MA Razzaque while presenting the findings in Dhaka on Sunday. He said the previous government’s “flawed and narrow” policies worsened the crisis.
Speakers also warned that the traditional education system is failing to produce skilled workers. Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman said human capital is not being developed despite wider access to education.