34.2pc youth in BD either unemployed or underemployed

Nearly one-third or 34.2 per cent of the country's youth are either unemployed or underemployed, thus making them highly vulnerable, reveals a latest study.

The South Asian Network on Economic Modelling (Sanem) and the ActionAid Bangladesh jointly conducted the research.

At a dissemination event on Wednesday, the study said Bangladeshi youth face vulnerabilities like limited access to quality education and health care, high dropout, poverty and economic insecurity.

Gender inequality, limited access to technology and digital literacy, climate change and environmental vulnerabilities, socio-political instability, migration and vulnerability to exploitation and mental health issues are also there.

Sanem and ActionAid hosted a roundtable in a city hotel styled 'Addressing the Vulnerability and Fragility of Young People in Bangladesh' to disseminate the findings of the study.

The study has identified four broad dimensions of the vulnerability of youth. It has considered the 15-35 age range as youth, covering all definitions of youth.

The study included both qualitative and quantitative surveys to collect primary data.

Through secondary data analysis, a mapping exercise has been conducted before collecting qualitative data and a sampling framework also has been developed for quantitative data collection.

A representative primary survey along with some desk research had been conducted to assess the magnitude of youth vulnerability and fragility.

According to the study, the total unemployed youths account for 79.6 per cent of the total unemployed population in Bangladesh.

The youth who have secondary or higher levels of education make up around 64 per cent of the total unemployed population.

Youths' NEET (not in education, employment or training) in Bangladesh is 16.2 per cent higher than the global average of 21.8 per cent and 9.4 per cent higher than the South Asian regional average.

Reaping the benefits of a demographic dividend requires identifying possible causes of youth vulnerability and ensuring necessary policy and resource allocation to address them, suggested the report.

The study proposed putting top priority on skills development and employment opportunities for youth to prevent long-term scars.

It also recommended that education for the vulnerable young people be prioritised.

"Government spending on skills development and education for young people should be prioritised, and the access of marginalised groups to digital service and quality training be ensured," cited the study.

"Comprehensive coordination is needed among different stakeholders working for vulnerable young people," it said, suggesting focus on sexual and reproductive health of youth and steps to address the vulnerability of young people of climate vulnerable regions.

Speaking as the chief guest, LGED and cooperatives minister Tajul Islam emphasised quality education and relief of corruption to come out of this situation.

ActionAid country director Farah Kabir and Sanem director (research) Sayema Haque Bidisha, among other, spoke at the event.

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