Unemployment in Bangladesh

The headline unemployment rate does not show the full risk of losing income in Bangladesh. About 84% of employment is informal, and underemployment, discouraged workers and people outside employment, education or training are not fully captured by the unemployment rate. The 2024 unemployment rate was 3.66% for people aged 15 and over, 3.75% for men and 3.48% for women. It was 13.54% among people with tertiary education, while the NEET rate for ages 15–29 was 20.3%. These figures describe different situations and should not be treated as interchangeable. There is no general national unemployment insurance system with a standard contribution record, waiting period, payment formula or job-search sanction. Before losing work, households often rely on savings, family or community support, informal work and targeted livelihood or cash programmes. Informal workers face particularly high income risk because their work may not provide formal termination protection or regular support after job loss. The Unemployed Workers Protection Programme, known as UWPP, provides a narrowly targeted payment rather than general unemployment insurance. It is intended for workers from export-oriented factories who are currently unemployed and who had been on a factory payroll for at least six months before losing their job. Applicants generally need a National ID, factory identification, a personal bank or mobile financial-services account linked to that ID and proof of job loss. Self-registration is available online, and a grievance channel exists. False information can have legal consequences. Eligible recipients may receive Tk 5,000 per month for up to three months. For 2025–26, the programme target is 0.33 lakh people with a budget of Tk 30.32 crore. The Employment Generation Programme for the Poorest, or EGPP, is a seasonal public-works programme rather than an individual unemployment benefit. It targets employable poor people of working age, with priority for landless and low-income households and households without relevant livestock. Local Ward, Union and Upazila committees select participants and issue job cards. The programme normally runs in two cycles of 40 working days, with seven hours of work per day, payment of Tk 400 per day and mandatory savings of Tk 25 per day. Payments are made weekly, and generally only one household member participates. For 2025–26, the target is 4 lakh participants with a budget of Tk 1,650.63 crore. EGPP is designed mainly for rural communities and lean-season income support, so it does not cover every unemployed person, especially many urban workers. EGPP+ offers a disaster- and shock-specific arrangement in Cox's Bazar. It applies to people aged 18–65 with annual household income below Tk 48,000 and provides Tk 400 per working day with weekly payment. Its 2025–26 target is 1.6 lakh people. Other social-security programmes, including Food for Work, rural-infrastructure earthwork, VGF, VGD, VWB, OMS, FFP and Department of Social Services allowances, may support poverty, food or emergency needs. They should not be described as general unemployment payments because eligibility and coverage depend on the programme, local targeting and available budgets. Job search can involve BMET and District Employment and Manpower Offices, which provide candidate registration, overseas-employment intermediation, referrals and some training-related services. Private recruiting agents are licensed through BMET's RAIMS system. Bangladesh does not have a single, clearly evidenced national public employment-matching service for all domestic jobseekers; many people rely on informal networks, private channels and programme-based referrals. Returning migrants may receive registration, counselling, one-off cash, referrals and livelihood or self-employment support through RAISE and welfare centres connected with the Wage Earners' Welfare Board. Overseas employment can provide a transition back into income, but it can also create substantial recruitment, travel and debt risks. Before migration, check the contract, visa, medical requirements, ticket, receipts and BMET clearance, and use a licensed recruiting agent where applicable. Access remains uneven for informal workers, women, young people, people with disabilities, educated jobseekers, urban poor households and returning migrants. Programme rules, quotas, verification, payment channels and budgets can change, so current eligibility should be confirmed with the responsible programme office before applying.