Sheikh Nahid Neazy

Bangladesh has been witnessing “brain drain” for almost two decades. This is not just a matter of seeking better opportunities but an escape from the country’s political, economic and social challenges. These days many young individuals – university graduates and professionals across diverse sectors – are leaving the country in search of a secure life abroad. While migration for better career opportunities or higher education is not unusual, the scale at which young people or professionals are leaving their homeland has sparked debate about the nation’s wish or the government’s strategic plan to retain its talents and bright brains. However, this youth exodus continues, and the “reverse brain drain” seems to be a far cry.

Bangladesh’s “brain drain” is driven by a combination of push and pull factors, including the lack of job opportunities or high-paying jobs, limited professional growth, and poor workplace environment. Other significant factors are political instability, rampant corruption, perceived inequality in hiring practices, and a mismatch between the education system/degrees and job market needs.

Mamun Rashid, chairman of Financial Excellence Ltd and the founding managing partner of PwC Bangladesh, in his opinion column published in the Daily Star (7 January 2025), identified some major causes behind the exodus. According to him, one of the most significant reasons for this migration is the pursuit of higher education. Many young Bangladeshis dream of accessing world-class educational opportunities which are unavailable at home. For example, programmes in emerging fields such as AI (artificial intelligence) and biotechnology remain largely underdeveloped in Bangladesh. In contrast, countries like Canada, the US and Australia offer the students not only top-tier universities but also provide them with opportunities to gain hands-on experiences. Without competitive programmes and international-standard training, it is natural that students or graduates will seek better options (education and job opportunities) elsewhere.

According to UNESCO, the number of Bangladeshi students studying abroad has more than tripled over the past 15 years. Meanwhile, a World Bank survey shows nearly a 10% rise in educated unemployment in the past decade. Currently, about 26 lakh young people are jobless. This number tells a stark reality! According to the Bangladesh Bureau of Educational Information and Statistics (BANBEIS), every year more than one million students pass out of the universities, but the job market is too shallow to absorb them. Analysts and private sector recruiters highlight that the mismatch between education/degrees and job market demands in Bangladesh has been a pressing issue.

Besides, the people of Bangladesh face extreme inequality, social injustice and social insecurity. Here merit often takes a back seat to connection and privilege. The lack of transparency and fairness in hiring practices (in both the public and private sectors) frustrates many talented individuals, pushing them to seek such an environment where opportunities are more accessible and merit-based.

Another major reason behind this “brain drain” is deep frustration among the youths who took to the streets in July 2024 and protested against discrimination in public service jobs. They expected positive changes in the education system and adequate job creation in both the public and private sectors. Unfortunately, it did not happen.

Recently, I have come across some university students who have expressed their frustration and indignation. Now many of them want to complete their education, get the certificates and leave the country. One of my students who graduated in English said, “The starting salary is very low, and even an entry-level job demands a master’s degree. To get a job, either you need connections or you have to give bribes. Your worth does not matter. Why should I waste my potential here?” However, I gave him a letter of recommendation. And he is now studying International Business in Australia.

Social security concerns – both political and personal – also contribute to the current trend of exodus. Many young professionals consider first-world countries as havens of stability, and they can live a safe life without fear, social unrest or uncertainty. Recent instances of civil unrest in educational institutions and political tensions in the country have also reinforced these perceptions. Besides, in post-uprising Bangladesh, many educated youths who were looking forward to a better equitable society – free from corruption and social injustice or discrimination – are confused about their future paths.

Many parents are also confused about their children’s future. They do not find any hope or see any sign of stability in the country. They encourage their children to leave the country, build their careers and find financial security abroad. Some others urge their children to return to their homeland. One of my relatives who had a high-paying job in a multinational company in Bangladesh is now struggling to settle down in Australia. His parents want him back in Bangladesh, but he admits that the choice is not very easy. He adds, “It’s not guilt; it’s more of an inconvenience.” He knows that he has to start from the beginning here because he left the job about two years back. It is a new challenge in Bangladesh!

This mass exodus has, of course, adverse consequences. Over the decades, Bangladesh’s economy has strongly relied on remittances, mostly from low-skilled workers in the Middle East. But today’s migration looks a bit different. There are many young professionals leaving the country who are doctors, engineers, bankers, scientists, and university teachers. Even they do not have any plan to return. Therefore, the country is losing skilled professionals in every sector. Now the employers in the private sector are struggling to find suitable candidates for many mid-level positions. Even they claim that they hardly find skilled graduates for the entry-level jobs. This is alarming!

We know that India and China once encountered a similar kind of problem – mass exodus – but both the countries have managed to turn the tide by investing in human capital and creating incentives for the talented professionals to return and contribute to their economies. Many experts and academics argue that Bangladesh must do the same to shift its focus from remittance dependence to building a robust economy that can keep its bright talents at home.

Many development partners also suggest that Bangladesh should work on creating a vibrant ecosystem with concentrated, long-term efforts enhancing quality education (from primary to tertiary level), improving healthcare services, creating adequate jobs, ensuring career growth/opportunities, fostering young entrepreneurship, and offering a better quality of life. Without these social elements, a successful “reverse brain drain” will not be possible. Now Bangladesh needs to rise, overcome all challenges and make positive institutional changes that will help build an equitable and democratic society. Let’s turn brain drain into “brain gain”!

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The writer is an associate professor in the Department of English, Stamford University Bangladesh. He can be reached at [email protected]