Bangladesh Education Sector Opportunities

In the 2021-2022 academic year, 10,597 students in Bangladesh studied in the United States, ranking Bangladesh the 13th country worldwide, up from 14th place the year before, according to the Institute of International Education’s 2022 Open Doors report, which collects data from over 3,000 U.S. higher education institutions. This makes Bangladesh one of the fastest growing countries of origin for international students in the United States. During the pandemic period that saw a global decrease in international students, Bangladesh registered over 23.2 percent in annual growth of students studying in the  United States in 2021. More than 78%  of students in Bangladesh currently on U.S. campuses study in STEM fields.

Bangladesh has made impressive strides towards reducing poverty in the last two decades and is on track to graduate from least developed country status by 2026. To enable its transition into upper middle-income status by 2031, Bangladesh needs to facilitate the creation of millions of jobs and provide its youth, 35% of the population, with the skills needed for an evolving market. In 2019, Bangladesh ranked 117 out of 140 countries in skills, with low results in critical thinking in education and quality of vocational training. At this time only 2.1% of workers had access to any vocational training post-formal education. Among youth ages 15-24, 39.6% are “not in education, employment, or training” (NEET)  and only 57% of those ages 15-29 are participating in the labor force. Low skilled youth depend largely on informal jobs, which account for 86% of the overall employment in Bangladesh, while youth completing secondary or tertiary education struggle to enter the labor market. Youth ages 15-29 form the bulk of internal migrants, more than 115 persons per 1,000 annually, driven by seasonal work and climate disasters from rural to urban and peri-urban areas.

A significant majority of Bangladeshi students pursuing undergraduate and graduate education abroad are self-funded, with families often making considerable financial sacrifices to provide these opportunities. The choice of destination and institution is heavily influenced by the family’s economic circumstances and the student’s desired field of study. Unlike some countries, Bangladeshi public high schools typically lack dedicated education counselors to guide students through the process of applying to foreign universities. Local universities are somewhat better at providing proper international guidance counselors for students looking to pursue graduate studies abroad.

Despite the widespread availability of digital information, many Bangladeshi parents still seek advice from third-party sources, particularly local education agents. These agents play a crucial role in the study abroad process, offering comprehensive support from the initial stages of university and program selection through to admission assistance, visa application preparation, and sometimes even housing arrangements. Their services are often provided at minimal fee, with their primary focus being on ensuring a smooth transition for students as they begin their international academic journey.

For educational institutions in the United States, partnering with these local education agents can provide a valuable presence in the Bangladeshi market. These agents have the ability to directly engage with public high schools, students, and parents, offering personalized guidance that goes beyond the information available online. While U.S. schools may have extensive digital resources, local agents can provide context-specific advice and ensure that information about American institutions is readily accessible when Bangladeshi students and families seek guidance. Carefully evaluating the quality and capability of prospective agents in the market is critical as it varies greatly. The U.S. Commercial Service Bangladesh office in Dhaka is well positioned to help U.S. educational institutions do this.

Connect with your local U.S. Export Assistance Center in the United States to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

For more information visit the U.S. Commercial Service in Bangladesh or reach out to Mashur Seth, Commercial Specialist, CS Dhaka.