More than 80% Bangladeshi youth say addressing corruption a priority: BYLC survey

Highlights:

• Survey divided into in-person and online – with 1,575 and 1,663 people participating respectively
• 50.9% of online participants would prefer the interim government to stay in power for at least 1-3 years
• 77.4% of in-person participants say education system is adequate
• 70% of the online respondents expressed concerns about the current safety of women in the country
• 86.4% of in-person respondents felt that communal harmony is prevalent in Bangladesh
• More than 90% of both groups optimistic about voting in next election

More than 80% of the Bangladeshi youth think addressing corruption should be a priority within the next five years, according to the "Youth Matters Survey 2024".

The survey, conducted by the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), collected the opinions, desires and hopes of Bangladeshi youth on various key issues affecting the country was released on Monday (27 January).

Disseminating the findings at BYLC headquarters in Mohakhali, the organisation's Executive Director Tahsinah Ahmed said, "The Youth Matters Survey serves as an evidence-based document for shaping the future as envisioned by the youth of the country. The survey has revealed that, in the changing context of the country, our youth prioritise reforms above all else."

She added that the youth wanted the government to be given the time to implement reforms effectively. 

Regarding new political parties, while some have shown interest in the emergence of new political parties, the majority of young people prefer reforms within the existing parties. "The country's youth want good and capable individuals to come forward as candidates in politics."

Findings also show that the youth wanted an end to corruption, eradication of nepotism and to ensure the rights, safety and dignity of citizens, especially women.

The survey was divided into in-person and online, with 1,575 and 1,663 people participating respectively. Of them, 50.9% of online participants and 41.4% of in-person participants would prefer the interim government to stay in power for at least 1-3 years, findings show.

On the issue of education, many online respondents have expressed concerns that our education system does not adequately prepare students for employment, 

The survey also finds that while 79.3% of online participants believed that the education system is failing to prepare students for the job market, 77.4% of in-person participants said the system was adequate.

Meanwhile, the majority of people surveyed said they feel more comfortable providing their opinions on public platforms under the current interim government than they did during the previous regime. 

A total of 70% of the online respondents expressed concerns about the current safety of women in the country, whereas only 25.3% of in-person respondents thought women's safety was at risk.

Similarly, 86.4% of in-person respondents felt that communal harmony is prevalent in Bangladesh, but only 39.2% of online respondents felt that way.

However, both groups were optimistic about voting in the upcoming election, with 95.5% of in-person and 95.7% of online respondents sharing the sentiment.

The survey also revealed opinions on other topics such as climate change, law enforcement, and mental health.

The findings were presented by Md Abdul Khayer Shajib, manager of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation, in presence of Munira Sultana, deputy manager of the Skills Development Programme at BYLC, among others.