Actual value and historical data chart for Bangladesh Labor Force Total

Key information about Bangladesh Labour Force Participation Rate

• Bangladesh Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 61.9 % in Dec 2024, compared with 61.7 % in the previous year.
• Bangladesh Labour Force Participation Rate is updated yearly, available from Dec 1990 to Dec 2024, with an average rate of 58.2 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 61.9 % in Dec 2024 and a record low of 56.1 % in Dec 2016.
• Bangladesh Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by CEIC Data.
• In the latest reports, Bangladesh Population reached 169.3 million people in Jun 2021.
• Unemployment Rate of Bangladesh increased to 5.3 % in Dec 2020.

Abstract

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has initiated the labor force survey on a quarterly basis, to measure the levels and trends of employment, unemployment and labor force in the country on a continuous basis. In the past, labor force surveys conducted at four-five yearly time intervals since 1980.

Detailed information on labor force characteristics has been collected from representative sample of 123 thousand households to produce gender disaggregated national and divisional level estimates with urban/rural/city corporation breakdown. The survey also provides quarterly representative results and sample size for each quarter was 30,816 households. The survey, along with the quantification of core variables, also estimates important attributes of literacy, migration, own use production of goods and own use provision of services, volunteer work, occupational safety and health etc. The estimates are profiled according to latest classifications viz Bangladesh Standard Industrial Classification (BSIC 2009 based on ISIC rev-4) and Bangladesh Standard Classification of Occupations (BSCO- 2012 in line with ISCO-2008).

The primary objective of the survey was to collect comprehensive data on the Labor Force, employment and unemployment of the population aged 15 or older for use by the Government, international organizations, NGOs, researchers and others to efficiently provide targeted interventions. Specific objectives of the survey: - Provide relevant information regarding the characteristics of the population and household that relate to housing, household size, female-headed households; - Provide detailed information on education and training, such as literacy, educational attainment and vocational training; - Provide relevant information on economic activities and the labor force regarding the working-age population, economic activity status and Labor Force participation; - Provide detailed information on employment and informal employment by occupation and industry, education level and status in employment; - Provide relevant information on unemployment, the youth labor force participation, youth employment, and youth unemployment; - Provide other information on decent work regarding earnings from employment, working hours and time-related underemployment, quality and stability of employment, social security coverage, and safety at work, equal opportunities; - Provide relevant information on non-economic activities, volunteer activities etc.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Individual
• Household

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The quarterly Labor Force Survey questionnaire comprised of 14 sections:

Section 1. Household basic information Section 2. Household roster (members' basic information) Section 3. General education (for persons aged 5 years or older) & vocational training (for persons aged 15 years or older) Section 4. Working status (for persons aged 15 years or older) Section 5. Main activities (for persons aged 15 years or older) Section 6. Secondary activities (for employed persons aged 15 years or older) Section 7. Occupational safety and health within the previous 12 months (for persons aged 15 years or older) Section 8. Time-related underemployment (for employed persons aged 15 years or older) Section 9. Unemployment (for not employed persons aged 15 years or older) Section 10. Own use production of goods (for persons aged 15 years or older) Section 11. Own use provision of services (for persons aged 15 years or older) Section 12. Unpaid trainee/apprentice work (for persons aged 15 years or older) Section 13. Volunteer work (for persons aged 15 years or older) Section 14. Migration (for persons aged 15 years or older)

Cleaning operations

Editing and processing errors, several consistency checks were done, both manually and computerized program using CSPro; batch editing was done using Stata, to ensure the quality and acceptability of the data produced. The non-sampling error is to ensure high quality data, several steps were taken to minimize non-sampling errors. Unlike sampling errors, these errors cannot be measured and can only be overcome through several administrative procedures. These errors can arise as a result of incomplete survey coverage, frame defect, response error, non-response and processing errors such as during editing, coding and data capture.

Sampling error estimates

Sampling error is a result of estimating data based on a probability sampling, not on census. Such error in statistics is termed as relative standard error and often denoted as RSE which is given in percentage. This error is an indication to the precision of the parameter under study. In other words, it reflects the extent of variation with other sample-based estimates. Sampling errors of estimates on a few important variables at national levels are calculated separately as shown in the annex. For example, the labor force participation rate at the national level was 67.0 per cent with an RSE of 0.23 per cent and standard error (SE) of 0.16 per cent. At 95 per cent confidence interval (a = 0.05), the labor force participation rate was in the range of 66.69-67.31 per cent.

Bangladesh: Labor force participation rate: The latest value from 2024 is 61.89 percent, an increase from 61.74 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 60.63 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Bangladesh from 1990 to 2024 is 58.27 percent. The minimum value, 56.09 percent, was reached in 2016 while the maximum of 61.89 percent was recorded in 2024.

Bangladesh BD: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Aged 15-24 data was reported at 52.609 % in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 40.465 % for 2017. Bangladesh BD: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 46.467 % from Dec 1961 (Median) to 2022, with 17 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 69.220 % in 1991 and a record low of 37.900 % in 1981. Bangladesh BD: Labour Force Participation Rate: National Estimate: Aged 15-24 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.;International Labour Organization. “Labour Force Statistics database (LFS)” ILOSTAT. Accessed January 07, 2025. https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/.;Weighted average;The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Actual value and historical data chart for Bangladesh Labor Force Female Percent Of Total Labor Force

Historical dataset showing Bangladesh labor force participation rate by year from 1990 to 2024.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

households/individuals

Kind of data

survey

Frequency of data collection

Quarterly

Sampling procedure

Sample size:

Bangladesh BD: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 36.941 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 36.668 % for 2023. Bangladesh BD: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 26.577 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2024, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 36.941 % in 2024 and a record low of 20.683 % in 1990. Bangladesh BD: Labour Force: Female: % of Total Labour Force data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Female labor force as a percentage of the total show the extent to which women are active in the labor force. Labor force comprises people ages 15 and older who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.;World Bank, World Development Indicators database. Estimates are based on data obtained from International Labour Organization and United Nations Population Division.;Weighted average;

Bangladesh: Labor force, million people: The latest value from 2024 is 77.36 million people, an increase from 75.83 million people in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 20.90 million people, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Bangladesh from 1990 to 2024 is 55.72 million people. The minimum value, 36.22 million people, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 77.36 million people was recorded in 2024.

Abstract

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the National Statistical Organization of the country, has been conducting Labour Force Survey (LFS) since 1980 and repeated it every three/four year until 2013. The surveys could not be held at uniform time intervals due to resource constraint and other reasons. Finally, from July 2015, BBS has undertaken a development project and started implementation of quarterly labour force survey to provide labour market indicators. Gender disaggregated data on labour force, employment, unemployment, underemployment, not in labour force, hours worked, earnings, informal employment. Non-economic activities, volunteer activities are available in this report. The survey found that around half (51.2 per cent) of the 30.5 million employed persons worked more than 48 hours per week. By sex, the proportion of male workers working more than 48 hours (60.9 per cent) was higher than that of female workers (28.4 per cent). By industry, the highest rates of persons in excessive hours were in the Accommodation and food service activities (78.4 per cent), wholesale and retail trade sector (72.9 per cent), manufacturing (69.3 per cent), and households (61.5 per cent).

The primary objective of the survey was to collect comprehensive data on the Labour Force, employment and unemployment of the population aged 15 or older for use by the Government, international organizations, NGOs, researchers and others to efficiently provide targeted interventions. Specific objectives of the survey:

• Provide relevant information regarding the characteristics of the population and household that relate to housing, household size, female-headed households;

• Provide detailed information on education and training, such as literacy, educational attainment and vocational training;

• Provide relevant information on economic activities and the labour force regarding the working-age population, economic activity status and Labour Force participation;

• Provide detailed information on employment and informal employment by occupation and industry, education level and status in employment;

• Provide relevant information on unemployment, the youth labour force participation, youth employment, and youth unemployment;

• Provide other information on decent work regarding earnings from employment, working hours and time-related underemployment, quality and stability of employment, social security coverage, and safety at work, equal opportunities;

• Provide relevant information on non-economic activities, volunteer activities etc.

Geographic coverage

National coverage.

Analysis unit

• Individuals

• Household

Universe

Age is a strong determinant of labour market so a common age cut-off and categories are important. The labour related questions of the survey refer to the population of 15 years old and over. The following age ranges is used in presenting the statistics: 15–24; 25–34; 35–44; 45–54; 55–64; and 65 and over. Besides, LMI is provided separately for youths as the youths are more prone to unstable transition to labour market. However, in setting the minimum LFS coverage age is the fact that the Government of Bangladesh, being aware that many young people, who are unable to continue with higher schooling, enter the labour market instead, has set the legal age for admission to employment at 14 completed years. Given that, inclusion of persons aged 15 years and over may result in the undercount of persons employed or unemployed in the country.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The frame used for the selection of sample for the survey was based on the Population and Housing Census 2011. Sampling Frame which was made up of preparing of PSUs that is consists of collapsing one or more Enumeration Area (EAs) that was created for the Population and Housing Census 2011. EAs is geographical contiguous areas of land with identifiable boundaries. On average, each PSUs has 225 households. All the Enumeration areas of the country was identified into three segments viz. Strong, Semi-strong and not-strong based on the housing materials. The frame has 1284 PSUs/EAs spread all over the country, and covers all socio-economic classes and hence able to get a suitable and representative sample of the population. The survey was distributed into twenty-one domains viz. Rural, Urban and City corporations of seven administrative divisions.

From each selected PSUs/EAs, an equal number of 24 households were selected systematically, with a random start. The systematic sampling method was adopted as it enables the distribution of the sample across the cluster evenly and yields good estimates for the population parameters. Selection of the households was done at the HQ and assigned to the Enumerators, with strictly no allowance for replacement of non-responding households. The Bangladesh Quarterly Labor Force Survey (QLFS) sample will be selected in two stages, with small area units called Primary Sampling Units (PSUs) in the first stage and a cluster of 24 households per PSU in the second stage. Both stages are random selections. The survey will implement a rotational panel strategy, in which some of the households in each cluster will be replaced by new households each quarter. The survey launched in July 2015, with a total sample size of about 30,800 households (1,284 PSUs) in each quarter and 123634 in the year 2015-16, intended to deliver reliable quarterly estimates of unemployment and other relevant labor force indicators for of the country's seven divisions and locality viz. national level estimates with disaggregation by City Corporations, Rural and Urban.

The survey involved a sample of 30816 households from 1284 PSUs/sample enumeration areas distributed across all the 64 Districts for each quarter and the ultimate sample households for the year 2015-16 was 126000 in total. The survey covered both urban and rural areas and dwelling households, including one person households. The institutional households, that is, those living in hostels, hotels, hospitals, old homes, military and police barracks, prisons, welfare homes and other institutions were excluded from the coverage of the survey.

Sampling deviation

Most BBS household surveys use a two-stage sampling strategy similar to that of the QLFS, and most of them share a common set of PSUs – the Integrated Multi-Purpose Sample (IMPS) – as a basis for their first sampling stage. However, the QLFS, given the specificities of its rotational strategy, has opted for choosing an independent set of PSUs for this purpose. The first stage sample frame of the QLFS was developed on the basis of the list of Enumeration Areas (EAs) generated by the 2011 Census. Some of the original 293,093 EAs were deemed too small to support the adopted rotational panel strategy, and were joined to neighboring EAs in order to create 146,576 PSUs of more adequate size: most of the resulting PSUs have between 150 and 300 households, with an average of 217. Whenever possible, the EAs with less than 150 households were appended to EAs from the same village, although in the most sparsely populated areas it was sometimes necessary to append entire villages to neighboring villages within the same mauza or mahalla (the lower level administrative division of the country.)2 Entire mauzas or mahallas were never appended to neighboring areas, even if they were too small – they remained as individual PSUs in the sample frame. The second stage sample frame will be a full listing of all households in the selected PSUs. The listings were completed between February and March 2015. If the survey indeed becomes a regular exercise, they should be permanently updated so that they are never older than two years.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The Quarterly Labour Force Survey 2015-16 questionnaire comprised 14 sections, as follows:

• Section 1. Household basic information

• Section 2. Household roster (members’ basic information)

• Section 3. General education (for persons aged 5 years or older) & vocational training (for persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 4. Working status (for persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 5. Main activities (for persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 6. Secondary activities (for employed persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 7. Occupational safety and health within the previous 12 months (for persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 8. Underemployment (for employed persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 9. Unemployment (for not employed persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 10. Own use production of goods (for persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 11. Own use provision of services (for persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 12. Unpaid trainee/apprentice work (for persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 13. Volunteer work (for persons aged 15 years or older)

• Section 14. Migration (for persons aged 15 years or older)

Cleaning operations

With regard to editing and processing errors, several consistency checks were done, both manually and computerized programme using CSPro; batch editing was done using Stata, to ensure the quality and acceptability of the data produced. The Non-sampling error is to ensure high quality data, several steps were taken to minimize non-sampling errors. Unlike sampling errors, these errors cannot be measured and can only be overcome through several administrative procedures. These errors can arise as a result of incomplete survey coverage, frame defect, response error, non-response and

Bangladesh: Labor force, percent female: The latest value from 2024 is 36.94 percent, an increase from 36.67 percent in 2023. In comparison, the world average is 41.82 percent, based on data from 176 countries. Historically, the average for Bangladesh from 1990 to 2024 is 27.83 percent. The minimum value, 20.68 percent, was reached in 1990 while the maximum of 36.94 percent was recorded in 2024.

Actual value and historical data chart for Bangladesh Labor Force Participation Rate For Ages 15 24 Total Percent Modeled Ilo Estimate

View yearly updates and historical trends for Bangladesh Labor Force. Source: World Bank. Track economic data with YCharts analytics.

Yearly (annual) dataset of the Bangladesh Female Labor Force Rate, including historical data, latest releases, and long-term trends from 1990-12-31 to 2024-12-31. Available for free download in CSV format.

Bangladesh BD: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data was reported at 54.548 % in 2024. This records an increase from the previous number of 53.901 % for 2023. Bangladesh BD: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data is updated yearly, averaging 35.876 % from Dec 1990 (Median) to 2024, with 35 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 54.548 % in 2024 and a record low of 27.515 % in 1990. Bangladesh BD: Labour Force Participation Rate: Modeled ILO Estimate: Ratio of Female to Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.World Bank.WDI: Labour Force. Labor force participation rate is the proportion of the population ages 15 and older that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period. Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate is calculated by dividing female labor force participation rate by male labor force participation rate and multiplying by 100.;World Bank, World Development Indicators database. Estimates are based on data obtained from International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT at https://ilostat.ilo.org/data/.;Weighted average;National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Bangladesh LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: Rural: Female data was reported at 51.000 % in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 38.600 % for 2017. Bangladesh LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: Rural: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 35.050 % from Jun 2000 (Median) to 2022, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51.000 % in 2022 and a record low of 23.100 % in 2000. Bangladesh LFS: Labour Force Participation Rate: Rural: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Bangladesh – Table BD.G003: Labour Force Survey: Labour Force Participation Rate.

Abstract

Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) has conducted the National Child Labour Survey (NCLS) in 2002-03. NCLS 2002-2003 covered the entire country and was undertaken to provide reliable estimates of economically active children aged 5-17 years and child labour at national, urban and rural levels, as well as of children engaged in non-economic activities. The sample size and the coverage of the survey as such that it could furnish reliable key estimates by some administrative units such as divisions and regions/former districts. The survey has been designed to obtain estimates on a number of variables or parameters, particularly in relation to economic and non-economic activities of the children in age group 5-14 under usual circumstances and 15-17 in the case of worst forms of child labour (WFCL).

Objectives of the survey The main objective of the survey is to collect comprehensive data on working children aged 5 to 17 years. To achieve the objective, the survey instrument (questionnaire) has been designed as such to identify all activities of the children, economic or non-economic and these are broadly classified as – · attending school only (no other activity); · attending school and also engaged in economic activity; · attending school and also engaged in non-economic activity; · engaged in economic activity only; · engaged in non-economic activity only; · engaged both in economic and non-economic activities; · other children (sick, disabled or reported as idle); · not attending school and · not attending school and also not engaged in any economic and/or noneconomic activities.

The specific objectives of the survey are the following: i) to estimate the number (national, rural, urban etc) of working children and child labour by age, gender, education and residence, etc; ii) to estimate the number of working children by occupation, industry, status in employment etc. at 1- 4 digit Bangladesh Standard Occupation Classification (BSOC) and Bangladesh Standard Industrial Classification (BSIC) level respectively,in the line of the International Standard Industrial Classification of all economic activities (ISIC-Rev 3) and the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO, 1988); iii) to assess the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of the families of working children; iv) to assess the social characteristics and working environment etc. of children; v) to assess average earnings/wages, remuneration, hours of work etc; vi) to assess occupational risk and health hazards, injuries, diseases and extent of disability etc. vii) to assess the extent of exploitation of working children in terms of hours of work and wages earned

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Children age 5 to 17

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sampling Design

The NCLS was undertaken using Integrated Multipurpose Sample (IMPS) design The IMPS design is constructed on the basis of the Bangladesh population census 2001. It consists of 1,000 primary sampling units (PSUs) or enumeration blocks (EBs). Out of the total sample PSUs/EBs, 642 PSUs are selected from rural areas, 80 PSUs from statistical metropolitan areas (SMAs) and 278 PSUs from other urban areas or municipalities. In the rural areas, the PSU/EB is defined as a mouza, or the PSU/EB is a part of a mouza, or the combination of neighbouring mouzas; while in the urban areas, the PSu/EB is a mahalla, or a part a part of a mahalla, with an average number of 200 households per PSU. An enumeration block or PSU is constructed on the basis of contiguous census EAs (Enumeration Area) such that each EB/PSU is comprised of 180-220 households. There are 2 stages of stratification. At first 6 administrative divisions (The administrative setup of Bangladesh according to hierachy are as follows:- Division, district/zila, Thana/Upazila or Subdistrict, Union/ward and Village/mahalla. Division comprises of number of district/zila, district/zila consists of number of thana/upazila and Union consists of number of Villages. Mouza is a lowest unit for land revenue purpose. Bangladesh is now comprises of 6 divisions. In rural areas, the lowest unit is called village and in a urban areas it is called as mahalla) are treated as super strata and within these super strata there is a second stage of stratification comprising (i) rural areas, (ii) statistical metropolitan areas (SMAs) and municipalities. The SMAs and municipalities constitute urban area or urban stratum. The IMPS design consist of 16 strata which are : i) six rural strata for 6 divisions; ii) six urban strata for 6 divisions; and iii) four SMA strata for 4 metropolitan cities.

Sampling Scheme

The sampling scheme is PPS with proportional allocation within 16 strata at three stages with one unit selected at each stage. Three different stages are considered to select PSUs/EBs for each strata. Out of these three stages, two stages are dummy stages such that the selection of PSUs are essentially drawn by a single stage cluster sampling procedure. These stages are : i) Thanas are selected at first stage, (ii) Unions/Wards are selected at second stage and (iii) mouza/mahalla are selected at third stage. Then PSU/EBs are determined from the selected mouza by dividing the mouza or by combining a neighboring mouza with the selected mouza so as to make the size of the PSU/EB of around 200 households.

Note: See detailed sampling design in survey report which is presented in this documentation

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Cleaning operations

Preliminary checking of entries in the filled-in questionnaires were done by the supervisors and enumerators at field level. Thorough manual editing was carried out by the trained editors under the strict supervision of the officers in Dhaka headquarter. Coding of occupation and industry was done as per Bangladesh Standard Occupation Classification (BSOC) and Bangladesh Standard Industrial Classification (BSIC) at 3 and 4 digit level respectively. Other items, such as, geo-codes and open-ended answers, were also coded in accordance with their respective code lists.

The edited and coded questionnaires were sent to Computer Wing, BBS for data processing. Computer edit was done to check internal consistency, omissions and errors. The statistical tables were produced in micro computer environment of the BBS. Each individual record was tallied and expanded using sample weights to obtain national estimate. The weights were calculated on the basis of the estimated population as on January 1, 2003.

Sampling error estimates

Estimate of standard errors and confidence interval information is available in Table 3 of the final report which is presented in this documentation.

Abstract

The Labour Force and Child Labour Force Survey 2013 was conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics to provide reliable estimates on the labor force participation in the country at the national and sub-national levels. In 2013, this survey had two components: labor force and child labor.

The labor force component covered population age 15 or older living in the sampled households to obtain estimates on their economic and non-economic activities.

The child labor component was included to estimate the employment of population age 5 to 17, their conditions at the work place, and to probe and diagnose the circumstances leading to the existence of child labor in the country.

The survey covered the randomly selected sample of 36,242 households from 1,512 PSUs/sample enumeration areas distributed across all 64 districts.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Household members 5 years old and older.

Institutional dwellings (hotels, hospitals, prisons, welfare homes, etc.) were excluded from the survey.

Universe

Population age 5 and above

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

The frame used for the selection of the sample for the survey was based on the Population and Housing Census 2011.

The sampling frame was made of Enumeration Areas (EAs), contiguous geographical areas of land with identifiable boundaries. On average, each EA has between 80 and 120 households. The sample has 1,512 PSUs/EAs spread all over the country, and covering all socio-economic classes, thus representative of the population. The survey was distributed into 21 domains rural, urban, and city corporations of seven divisions. From each selected PSU/EA, an equal number of 24 households were selected systematically, with a random start. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling design was adopted. The units for the first stare sample selection were the EAs and the households at the second stage.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

The statistic shows the distribution of employment in Bangladesh by economic sector from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, 35.27 percent of the employees in Bangladesh were active in the agricultural sector, 20.88 percent in industry and 43.85 percent in the service sector.