Dhaka, March 19 -- Planning Commission's General Economics Division (GED) has cautioned that Bangladesh risks squandering its demographic dividend unless urgent and coordinated reforms are undertaken to address rising youth unemployment and emerging social vulnerabilities.

In a report, titled "Harnessing the Potential of Youth: A Policy Framework for Youth Development in Bangladesh," released recently by the GED has said that 31.6 million young people aged 15-24 in Bangladesh, nearly one-fifth of the total population, stand at a critical crossroads, where they could either accelerate economic growth or contribute to rising social instability.

Although the headline youth unemployment rate appears moderate at 8.07 per cent, the situation ...