Bangladesh: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh's unemployment rate was 3.66% in 2024, with 2.62 million people unemployed out of a labour force of 71.71 million, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2024. The rate was 3.75% for men, 3.48% for women, 4.4% in urban areas and 3.4% in rural areas.

The figures use the 13th ICLS definition, under which anyone who worked at least one hour in the reference week counts as employed, so the rate stays low in a country where most work is informal. Labour force participation was 58.9%. The full report and tables are on the BBS labour and employment page; it is the latest annual survey listed there.

Official sources: BBS: Labour Force Survey 2024 tables (Excel) · BBS: labour and employment publications

What is the average salary in Bangladesh?

Employees in Bangladesh earned an average of Tk15,554 a month from wages or salaries in 2024, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2024. Men averaged Tk16,105 and women Tk12,681; urban employees averaged Tk17,708 and rural Tk14,131.

The figure covers paid employment only, not the self-employed or unpaid family workers. Managers averaged Tk37,965 a month and workers in elementary occupations Tk10,661. The averages are means, so a smaller number of higher earners raises them. BBS separately tracks the growth of wages for low-paid occupations through its monthly wage rate index.

Official sources: BBS: Labour Force Survey 2024 tables (Excel)

Are wages keeping up with inflation in Bangladesh?

Bangladesh's wage rate index rose 7.90% in the year to September 2026, while consumer prices rose 8.34%, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics monthly release on CPI, inflation and wages for September 2026. In 2025-26 as a whole wages rose 8.10% against average inflation of 8.68%.

The wage rate index measures nominal daily wages of low-paid skilled and unskilled workers in 63 occupations in agriculture, industry and services, using a 2021-22 base. When it rises more slowly than the CPI, the purchasing power of those wages falls. It does not cover salaried office jobs. Wages in industry rose 7.86% and in agriculture 7.89% over the year to September 2026.

Official sources: BBS: CPI, inflation and wage release, September 2026 (PDF)

How many workers in Bangladesh are in informal jobs?

84.0% of employed people in Bangladesh, 58.04 million workers, were in informal employment in 2024, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2024. The share was 87.6% in rural areas and 73.8% in urban areas.

Informal employment means work without the legal and social protections, such as a written contract, paid leave or pension contributions, that formal jobs carry. It includes most farm work and own-account work. Agriculture employed 44.7% of workers, services 38.0% and industry 17.4%. The share has fallen only slightly, from 85.1% in 2016-17.

Official sources: BBS: Labour Force Survey 2024 tables (Excel)

What share of women in Bangladesh are in the labour force?

38.4% of women aged 15 and over in Bangladesh were in the labour force in 2024, down from 41.4% in 2023 and 42.77% in 2022, according to the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Survey 2024. Participation was 45.3% for rural women and 22.5% for urban women.

The labour force covers people who are working or looking for work. Women's participation is far lower than men's, and much of women's work is unpaid family work on farms. The overall participation rate was 58.9%.

Official sources: BBS: Labour Force Survey 2024 tables (Excel)

How many people have joined Bangladesh's universal pension scheme?

379,728 people had registered in the four schemes of Bangladesh's universal pension programme as of 23 September 2026, according to the National Pension Authority. The authority reports Tk322.01 crore invested in government treasury bonds, and a highest profit rate of 11.61% for 2024-25.

The four voluntary schemes are named Samata, Suraksha, Pragati and Probash, the last for Bangladeshis living abroad. Members pay monthly contributions, which earn income tax relief. Government employees are covered by a separate civil service pension. The 2026-27 budget speech proposes letting members take 30% of their fund as a lump sum.

Official sources: National Pension Authority: universal pension · Finance Division: Budget Speech 2026-27 (PDF)

What is Bangladesh's minimum wage?

The ILO puts the statutory minimum wage in Bangladesh at 12,500 BDT a month (about $108) in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average wage in Bangladesh?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Bangladesh at $134 a month in 2024. Its high point since 2013 was 2016, at $165 a month; its low point was 2023, at $130 a month. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 71st highest.

What is Bangladesh's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Bangladesh was 3.8%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2020, at 5.5%; its low point was 2023, at 3.4%. It is 5th highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 4.1%. World rank, highest first: 112th of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Bangladesh?

In 2025, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Bangladesh was 9.4%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 6.3% (2010) to 13.5% (2020). South Asia median: 16.5%; Bangladesh is 6th highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 113th highest.

What share of people in Bangladesh are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Bangladesh at 58.8% in 2025. The peak was 61.9% in 2022 and the low 56.1% in 2016. Across South Asia the middle value was 57.2%, and Bangladesh placed 3rd highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 110th of 174.

What is female labour force participation in Bangladesh?

38.6%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Bangladesh for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 29.2% (2005) to 43.7% (2022). South Asia median: 35.5%; Bangladesh is 3rd highest of 6. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 145th highest.

How many people in Bangladesh are employed?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Bangladesh at 56.6% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 53.6% (2016) to 59.0% (2022). It is 3rd highest of 6 in South Asia, where the median is 54.9%. Worldwide: 99th of 174.

How common is self-employment in Bangladesh?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 57.3%. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 64.5%; its low point was 2017, at 56.2%. Across South Asia the middle value was 63.2%, and Bangladesh placed 4th highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 44th of 174.

How many people in Bangladesh are employees?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are paid employees in Bangladesh was 39.0% in 2025. The peak was 39.4% in 2019 and the low 35.3% in 2005. Across South Asia the middle value was 34.7%, and Bangladesh placed 3rd highest of 6. World rank, highest first: 131st of 174.