Job opportunities in rural areas have shrunk over the last 11 years since 2013, reflecting a lack of growth in non-farm activities, according to the preliminary findings of the Economic Census 2024, conducted by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS).

The census reveals that 56.82 percent of 3.07 crore people were engaged in economic activity in rural areas in 2024, down from 61.23 percent in 2013.

However, the number of people involved in economic activity increased during this period as the economy expanded, and so did the number of economic units, the BBS stated while launching the census today at its office.

Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud was present at the event, among others.

On the other hand, urban areas have created more economic opportunities since 2013.

The BBS reported that 43.18 percent of people were engaged in economic activity in urban areas in 2024, up from around 39 percent in 2013.

In urban areas, the number of people involved in economic activity stood at 1.32 crore in 2024, with Dhaka Division accounting for 89 percent of the total.

Chattogram ranked second, followed by Rajshahi.

The Economic Census stated that the number of economic units surged by 52 percent to 1.18 crore in 2024 from 78 lakh in 2013.

The BBS found that 70.27 percent of economic units operate in rural areas, while 29.73 percent are located in urban areas.

Dhaka Division hosts the highest number of economic units, totaling 32.1 lakh, contributing 27.03 percent of the total in 2024, up from 24.23 percent in 2013.