Most educated youths seek govt job: Study

At least half the nation's youth, both male and female, whose education level is higher secondary or above, consider getting a government job as their cherished goal.

But youths with no or less institutional education prefer going abroad, especially in the Middle East, to get a job or secure better earnings.

On the other hand, those from well-off families want to establish their own businesses.

A survey styled 'Agent of Change: Youth Survey 2018' conducted jointly by BRAC, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and BRAC University revealed these outlooks.

The study was unveiled at a city hotel on Wednesday where state minister for youth and sports Zahid Hasan Russel spoke as the chief guest.

Youth and sports acting secretary Dr Md Jafar Uddin, BRAC acting executive director Asif Saleh and BIGD executive director Dr Imran Matin also spoke.

The survey showed the majority of the institutionally educated youth, specifically 57 per cent females and 42 per cent males, deem government jobs as their most viable career goals.

As many as 34 per cent males and 19 per cent females of the 4,200 respondents countrywide identified unemployment as their biggest concern.

In terms of their children's wellbeing, females are more concerned than males as the percentage is 34 for female and 11 for their counterparts.

Females are falling far behind males in terms of getting education, earnings and taking part in training for skill development, the study disclosed.

Some 7.0 per cent of young men have higher education compared to 4.0 per cent of their female counterparts.

Around 83 per cent of males enjoy greater liberty in choosing their educational institutions, friends and occupation, mobility and spending money.

But 40 per cent of females have such freedom.

Overall, 48 per cent of the youth are neither in education, earning or training (NEET). Among the NEET youths, 90 per cent are females.

Besides, only 5.0 per cent of the respondents believe their academic qualifications will help them secure employment.

Only 14 per cent youths have acquired any kind of vocational education.

Very few youths are confident about their English language proficiency and computer skills as the rate is 16 and 15 per cent respectively.

The study said Bangladesh is enjoying a unique historical period of 'demographic dividend' with its working population aged between 15 and 59, way bigger than the non-working age population.

However, it is among the worst-performing countries globally in terms of generating employment and creating opportunity, according to the Commonwealth's Global Youth Development Index.

Speaking at the event, the state minister said the government is working hard on job creation for 30 million youths by 2021.

Citing women's growing participation in workforce, he said females constituted only 7.0 per cent of the total workforce in 1984 which has risen to 30 per cent in recent years.

Mr Russel said the government is giving loans and tools to start small businesses by youths who also receive skill development training.

BRAC acting executive director said BRAC has long been engaged in skill development of young people.

"Now, we're out to introduce school-based learning programmes that will contribute to their future skill development," Mr Saleh said.

The study noted that there is a deep polarisation in the political optimism of the youth.

Majority of the youth are pure optimists who believe both current and future political situation to be good or very good.

About a third of the respondents are pure pessimists.