Dhaka, Oct. 31 -- Bangladesh has long been praised for its sustained growth trajectory, supported by strong export industries, remittance inflows, and a youthful population. However, behind the overall figures lies a troubling reality: the educated youth of the country are increasingly unable to find decent jobs, while the economy that once appeared to offer the promise of a demographic dividend now risks becoming a demographic burden. The combination of an economic slowdown and rising unemployment among youth and graduates has caused social ripples that could transform the nation's socio-economic landscape.

Recent labour market data paint a sobering picture. According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the unemployment rate a...