Can we reverse the brain drain?

A recent one British Council studyheld before the twelfth parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, has revealed a worrying trend: that 55 percent of our youth want to move abroad due to unemployment, corruption and various discriminatory and authoritarian practices. This reflects the deep frustration that has taken root in society over the years. For too long, young people have faced barriers to government hiring, insufficient jobs for an ever-growing pool of college graduates, and limited political-economic opportunities, all of which combined to create a stifling environment for them. This eventually boiled over during the 2024 quota reform movement, leading to the ouster of the Awami League regime.

The survey, conducted among people aged 18 to 35 from different backgrounds, found that 37 percent cited corruption and nepotism as the main causes of unemployment, while 20 percent pointed to discrimination in hiring. Another notable, but not surprising, finding is that 72 percent wanted to vote in the January 7 elections, before the autocratic regime once again deprived them of this fundamental right. The cumulative effect of these grievances persists even after the political transition on August 5, forcing many to continue seeking opportunities abroad. Despair and despair still accompany many who have seen their aspirations let go.

Reversing this trend and involving our young workforce in rebuilding the country represents a huge challenge for the interim government. It should therefore give them hope by generating more jobs and creating an ecosystem that rewards merit, hard work, innovation and entrepreneurship. Moreover, the government must implement reforms in key institutions to serve larger public interests. In the survey, education reform was the top priority identified by young respondents. In this regard, modernizing our education system, making it more skills-based and market-oriented, remains a priority. Corruption must also be eradicated from all sectors. Furthermore, an environment must be created in which people, regardless of their social class, religion or ethnicity, can express their opinions freely and without fear.

The government has initiated its state reform agenda by setting up various committees for various sectors. We hope that these committees can operate independently, without interference from vested interests. Only through real political and institutional reforms can we empower and inspire our youth to contribute to the country’s progress. This is critical to realizing the promise of a better, more equitable future for Bangladesh.