Women’s participation in the workforce in the country, especially in rural areas, has increased significantly over the past five years,  according to a new survey. 

Women’s participation in labour force has risen to 42.68 percent in 2022 from 36.3 percent five years ago, finds preliminary results of a new survey of Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

It indicates that more women are now able to access employment opportunities and contribute to the country's economic growth.

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) released the preliminary results of the survey at an event at its Agargaon office on Wednesday.

Rural participation of women in work is 50.89 percent and 22.59 percent in urban areas, the BBS said.

Meanwhile, the number of unemployed in the country has decreased to 26.3 lakh, the survey shows.

Earlier in the 2017 survey, the number of unemployed was 27 lakh. Unemployment has decreased by 70,000 in a span of six years.

Anyone who does not get the opportunity to work for one hour a week for wages is considered unemployed.

According to the results of the survey, there are now 7.34 crore people in the labour force in the country. Among them, 7.7 crore are engaged in work.