President Mohammed Shahabuddin has called upon state departments to transform the country's massive population into a highly productive workforce. He emphasised that immediate structural action is required to fully benefit from the unique demographic dividend of the nation.
Currently, around one-third of the total population is comprised of young people. This vast working-age demographic represents the greatest potential for national development.
The President warned that failing to transform these young citizens into highly skilled workers could result in widespread unemployment, severe poverty, social instability, and massive economic pressure.
The speech was delivered during a special ceremony celebrating World Population Day 2026 at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
The President spoke as the chief guest, addressing a large gathering of healthcare professionals, international diplomats, and state ministers.
A planned and competent population remains the premier asset and strength of any nation. Conversely, an unplanned and under-trained populace presents a major developmental challenge for state infrastructure.
The President stressed that building a skilled workforce through high-quality education and technical training must remain a top national priority.
The official speech also recognised the historical contributions of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Both leaders pioneered critical family planning policies, early population control measures, and successful national programmes to prevent a population explosion. Former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia introduced extensive public programmes designed to boost female enrolment in schools.
These past initiatives led to a sharp decline in child marriages, heightened health awareness, expanded career opportunities for women, and a widespread adoption of modern family planning methods.
The ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) is causing rapid shifts in the global economy and the international job market. To remain competitive during this transformation, the nation must quickly master science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), vocational education, advanced research, and innovation.
To help local youth meet both domestic and international employment standards, state planning must guarantee top-tier schooling, modern technical skills, premium healthcare services, and sustainable employment platforms.
The state has already achieved significant progress in maternal health infrastructure, child mortality reduction, and various public health metrics. However, demographic indicators reveal that the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has remained static at approximately 2.3 for the past fifteen years.
Recent statistical surveys indicate that the TFR is beginning to rise. To ensure long-term economic and social stability, the state needs to implement targeted policies to bring that rate down closer to two.
The country faces several key demographic hurdles that require immediate policy intervention. These challenges include rewriting current family planning initiatives to better serve less educated and highly disadvantaged communities, alongside boosting adolescent health services to eliminate early marriages.
All public stakeholders must work together to achieve the core goals of universal healthcare and ensuring no citizen dies due to a lack of treatment. The current administration is fully committed to funding youth welfare through quality schooling, vocational apprenticeships, proper healthcare, and balanced nutrition.
The state must prioritise the genuine ambitions of the next generation. The youth desire to see a happy, prosperous, justice-based nation that is completely free from inequality.
The younger generation expects a modern society where individual merit, vocational competence, and honest hard work are properly rewarded. Young citizens also demand transparent governance, equal job opportunities, personal dignity, and social justice.
The President praised new state projects designed to bring medical services directly to remote rural areas. The administration has made a highly positive decision to install specialised kidney dialysis facilities inside upazila health complexes.
Before concluding the ceremony, the President presented official crests and achievement certificates to grassroots health organisations and outstanding medical personnel. The national event featured several prominent health officials and international representatives.
The guest list included Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Husain and State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit. Health Services Division (HSD) Secretary Md Quamruzzaman Chowdhury also joined the event.
HSD representatives were accompanied by United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Bangladesh Representative Catherine Breen Kamkong alongside numerous administrative
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