Challenges and Prospects of Youth Employment in the Post-COVID Scenario

Abstract

Public health measures taken to contain the spread of COVID-19 have caused massive shocks to the global economy and all aspects of human lives. The pandemic is disproportionately affecting the youths, particularly in countries like Bangladesh where youths already struggle in the labour market because of limited experience and skills and with poor quality of education (World Bank, 2019). Because of the pandemic, youths are competing with more experienced candidates for fewer jobs. Additionally, inperson classes are postponed in all educational institutions since March 2020, increasing the uncertainty of future labour market outcomes of current students. Limitation in digital infrastructure and capacities of educational institutes and limited digital skills of and stark digital inequalities among the youths indicate a widespread disruption in education and possible long-term learning loss of the youth.