𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐞

…𝒇𝒐𝒄𝒖𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒖𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒖𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒃 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒏 2025

By Yeshi Dolma

Although Bhutan’s overall unemployment rate has declined to 3.6% in 2024, youth unemployment remains alarmingly high at 17.1%. With a new wave of college graduates set to enter the job market in 2025, the question of how to provide meaningful employment for them has become more pressing than ever.

The Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Employment (MoICE) has rolled out several initiatives to address the growing concern of youth unemployment. Key programs include the Youth Engagement and Livelihood Program (YELP), which provides monthly allowances for engagement, internships, and participation in special government projects. The Overseas Employment Program opens up international job opportunities for youth, while the National Reintegration Program offers economic and psycho-social assistance to returnees and laid-off workers. The Employment Responsibility System encourages coordinated employment generation across various agencies, and Employment Service Centres in six regions serve as local job matching hubs. Additionally, MoICE emphasizes data-driven planning through resources such as the Labour Market Information Bulletin and quarterly updates.

Career development and entrepreneurship form the core of MoICE’s strategy. Career guidance initiatives include job-matching events by the GOWA, school-based awareness programs, interactive bootcamps, and educational tools such as the Career Compass and Career Boardgame. These programs aim to equip youth with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the labor market. In addition, the Ministry supports entrepreneurship through startup funding, incubation, and training, while also collaborating with schools to foster entrepreneurial thinking from an early age. Together, these initiatives are designed to boost job readiness, support informed career decisions, and create viable employment opportunities for the increasing number of new graduates entering the workforce in 2025.

Lyonpo Namgyel Dorji, the Minister of MoICE, acknowledged the positive national employment figures, stating that Bhutan’s overall employment rate stands at 97%, which is strong by international standards. However, the 17% youth unemployment rate remains a significant concern. He noted that this indicates a persistent mismatch between the available job opportunities and the qualifications of job seekers, an issue that is being addressed through the eight ongoing programs.

The global context highlights the urgency of creating jobs for young people. The World Bank estimates that over 1.2 billion young people will enter the workforce across emerging economies over the next decade, but only about 420 million jobs are expected to be created. This disparity calls for decisive action to boost job creation, especially in countries like Bhutan that stand to benefit from stronger private sector growth.

In its most recent global jobs initiative, the World Bank emphasized that employment is about more than just earning an income. It is crucial for dignity, opportunity, and social stability. For Bhutan, where the economy is poised for growth through major hydropower investments and digital innovation, strengthening the private sector will be key to translating this growth into jobs for the youth.

“Creating jobs is not just about economic growth- it’s about unlocking potential where people already live,” stated the World Bank. “For Bhutan, this means investing in sectors like renewable energy, tourism, agribusiness, and digital services, which can power sustainable development and reduce reliance on external aid.”

Christina William, Activist and Lawyer, further emphasized the importance of sustainable careers, saying, “Many young people across the world do not have access to opportunity. When we think about education, we need to think beyond tuition. We need to think about housing, transportation, food in our bellies so we can learn. When we think about jobs, we need to think about livable income. We need to think about jobs that provide value and purpose. That we can afford pension benefits, insurance, that we can have security within our homes. The question that we tend to ask, what do young people want? What do young professionals require? The answer is this, sustainable careers, the kind that provides independence, self-sufficiency, pride, and dignity.”

Ajay Banga, President of the World Bank Group, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the role of the private sector in creating jobs: “We cannot do it with our money alone. We cannot do it with the money of rich governments like Singapore or other middle- and lower-income countries because there is not enough money in fiscal budgets to do so by yourself. We need the private sector. We need its ingenuity. We need its capital. We need its innovation. We need its people. We need its orientation for urgency. Doing this the right way is what we have to do. If we do it that way, everybody wins.”

Michelle Bachelet, Former President of Chile and Jobs Council Co-Chair, emphasized the importance of sustainable job creation, stating, “The Jobs Council has focused on practical, scalable strategies that can deliver results where they are most needed. We have identified five sectors with the greatest potential to create jobs at scale- agribusiness, healthcare, energy and infrastructure, manufacturing, and tourism. These are sectors where investment can lead to lasting impact, where young people can find decent work close to home, and where businesses can grow alongside their communities.”

A recent graduate, Dorji Gyeltshen, shared his thoughts on entrepreneurship, saying, “With the Startup Bhutan Fund, I’m now seriously considering launching a tech solution tailored for rural farmers. Before learning about this initiative, I had no idea that such opportunities for young entrepreneurs like me even existed. It’s encouraging to see that there’s real support for innovation and startups in Bhutan, especially those aimed at solving practical problems in rural communities.”

One final-year student at Gedu College of Business Studies shared her experience, saying, “I want to stay and work in Bhutan after graduation. I’m passionate about contributing to our local economy, especially in areas like tourism and marketing. I have started attending job fairs and workshops, and I think MoICE’s efforts to support youth employment are a step in the right direction. Still, I feel more awareness is needed- we don’t always know what opportunities are out there. If given training and a little financial support, I would also love to start a small local business that promotes Bhutanese products.”

Creating sustainable, dignified jobs for youth is not just about reducing unemployment statistics—it’s about securing Bhutan’s future.