Staff Report :
Despite sluggish employment growth, Bangladesh’s private education sector has expanded its economic influence significantly, according to the latest survey released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).
The 2023 data reveals that while job creation in the sector increased by only 2.5 percent, its gross output rose by a substantial 7.65 percent year-on-year, reaching Tk 85,357 crore. This indicates rising productivity and continued expansion of private educational institutions.
The sector remains a key contributor to Bangladesh’s socio-economic development. In 2023, enrolment in private institutions reached 29.3 million students-an increase of 1.3 million compared to the previous year. Female students, numbering 15.3 million, outnumbered their male counterparts, who totalled 14 million, marking the second consecutive year of higher female participation.
Female dominance was particularly evident in medical, dental, nursing, and midwifery colleges, reflecting shifting societal attitudes and greater acceptance of women in healthcare professions.
Employment within the sector stood at 1.145 million educators, including 716,000 males and 430,000 females, meaning women accounted for approximately 38 percent of teaching staff.
However, employment growth has not kept pace with the rising student population, leading to higher student-to-teacher ratios and possibly greater use of digital or hybrid teaching methods.
Private education now forms a crucial part of the national education framework, with 98,980 private institutions operating in 2023, including 6,587 coaching centres.
Governance structures vary, with 49,618 institutions run by boards or managing committees, 23,637 individually owned, 10,862 partnerships, and 5,782 managed by trustee boards or foundations.
Economically, the sector contributed about 3 percent to Bangladesh’s GDP in 2023. However, concerns arise from a decline in the labour share of gross value added, which dropped from 38.9 percent in 2022 to 37.8 percent in 2023.
This suggests a widening gap, with institutional owners benefiting more while educators and staff receive a smaller share of the sector’s earnings.
The BBS warns that this trend could increase income inequality, reduce consumer spending power, and potentially hinder sustained economic growth.
These findings highlight the urgent need for policy reforms to promote fairer growth, better employment conditions, and ongoing investment in human capital within the private education sector.
