World Bank prioritizes job creation in Bangladesh development plan

The World Bank is shifting its focus toward job creation in its upcoming five to seven year development partnership with Bangladesh. The new Country Partnership Framework (CPF), covering the 2027 to 2033 fiscal years, will be implemented through the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation, and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency.

Jean Pesme, the World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, stated that creating employment is the most urgent development priority. He noted that while approximately 14 million young people entered the labor market over the last decade, only about 8.7 million jobs were created. Additionally, female labor force participation saw a decline from 42.8 percent in 2022 to 38.4 percent in 2024.

The strategic framework aims to accelerate private sector growth, encourage new investments, and support reforms to benefit youth and women. The plan will be developed in alignment with the government’s own five-year strategic framework, incorporating feedback from the private sector, civil society, and academic institutions.