Dhaka, Nov. 3 -- A study by the World Bank has shown that about 44 percent of university graduates in Bangladesh work in the informal sector, highlighting the shortage of formal jobs despite the country's large working-age population.

Titled "Demographic Change in South Asia: From Tailwinds to Headwinds for Development", the report was launched at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka on Tuesday, followed by a panel discussion on Bangladesh.

The report says around 84 percent of the working-age population, or about 58 million people, are employed informally.

It identifies the lack of formal jobs, low female participation in the workforce, and weaknesses in education and skills development as "major barriers to employment and productivity".

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