Around 40 pc of Bangladesh’s workforce at risk from AI and automation, report warns

A report has warned that around 40 per cent of Bangladesh's workforce could be disrupted by automation and AI, with women particularly vulnerable. It urged reforms in skills training and education as the country prepares for LDC graduation and increasing global competition.

New Delhi: Around 40 per cent of Bangladesh’s workforce could face disruption from automation and artificial intelligence, raising urgent questions about the future of the country’s labour-intensive manufacturing and its ability to protect jobs, a report has said.

The report from Bangladesh-based The Daily Star warned that the export-led, labour-intensive growth model is under pressure as manufacturers adopt automation and digital production systems.

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Further, it flagged the rapid surge in high‑value services that often lack social protection.

The transition comes at a time when large segments of the workforce remain in insecure or informal employment, and young people, women and persons with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to displacement and limited access to reskilling.

“The pressures are likely to intensify as Bangladesh approaches LDC graduation. The withdrawal of preferential trade access will sharpen competitive pressures in export sectors, particularly RMG, accelerating the shift towards automation and higher-productivity production systems,” the report said.

Citing official labour data, the report noted that the country lost nearly 1.3 million jobs in 2024, with about 90 per cent of those losses affecting women.

Automation especially became disruptive in the ready‑made garments sector, where some estimates suggest up to 60 per cent of female jobs could disappear by 2041 if current trends continue.

Current policy instruments of Bangladesh fail to solve these problems as challenges from AI, the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) reform have yet to be effectively integrated into sector-specific transition strategies and workforce adaptation mechanisms.

The report argued that skills systems of Bangladesh are failing to meet labour market demands as TVET lacks strong connections with industry and emerging sectors.

“TVET should be reformed to be industry-led and outcome-focused by collaborating with employers on curricula, expanding apprenticeships, and aligning training with new sectors and international labour markets,” it said.