Bangladesh Proposes Seniors' Skills Registry and Inclusion Framework
Bangladesh has been presented with a new proposal for a seniors' skills registry and economic inclusion framework for retirees. The initiative highlights significant demographic shifts and existing social safety measures across the country.
A comprehensive proposal has been introduced in Bangladesh to establish a dedicated seniors' skills registry alongside an economic inclusion framework designed specifically for retirees. The announcement comes at a time when the nation's demographic profile is undergoing significant transformation, with older citizens making up an increasingly vital segment of the population.
According to data provided by the United Nations Population Fund, the proportion of people aged 60 or older in Bangladesh currently stands at nearly 10 percent. Furthermore, the UNFPA estimates that this specific proportion of older individuals is projected to double by the year 2050, underscoring the urgent necessity for long-term planning and robust social infrastructure.
The broader economic landscape of the country heavily features informal labor, with statistical records indicating that informal employees currently make up more than 80 percent of all workers across Bangladesh. Addressing the needs of aging populations within this predominantly informal structure remains a central challenge for policymakers, community organizations, and development partners alike.
Existing social safety programs in the country have seen recent adjustments to better support vulnerable citizens. The government-backed Old Age Allowance was raised earlier this year from Tk 650 to Tk 700 a month, and the program has been expanded to cover a total of 62 lakh people nationwide. Additionally, the Universal Pension Scheme was officially launched in 2023 to provide broader financial security.
Beyond basic allowances, institutional efforts are already underway to actively engage older citizens in productive labor. The Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation, known as PKSF, is currently training over a thousand elderly Bangladeshis in various income-generating types of work to help sustain their livelihoods and enhance their self-reliance.
Other established administrative tools could potentially support these inclusion frameworks moving forward. The existing Dynamic Social Registry already holds comprehensive records on four crore beneficiaries, demonstrating the institutional capacity required to manage large-scale data registries effectively across the entire country.
