Bangladesh's youth crisis deepens as exhaustion and depression surge post-pandemic
Young people in Bangladesh are facing rising levels of exhaustion, often misunderstood as mere impatience or poor coping. Research now shows this fatigue stems from years of unrelenting pressure, economic instability, and a culture that discourages open discussion of emotional struggles among them. The problem has worsened since the pandemic, with studies revealing sharp increases in burnout, anxiety, and depression among youth.
Data from 2020 to 2025 highlights the growing crisis. A 2023 national survey by BRAC University, alongside WHO figures, found burnout rates among young adults doubling from 15% before COVID-19 to 32% in 2024. Anxiety disorders jumped from 18% in 2019 to 28% by 2021, while depression cases rose from 12% in 2020 to 25% in 2025. Experts link these trends to pandemic fallout, economic strain, and recurring climate disasters.
The pressure starts early. Academic expectations in Bangladesh leave little space for rest or failure, pushing students to perform out of fear rather than emotional intelligence. Even after graduation, the job market offers little security, leading to disengagement and emotional numbness.
Social media adds another layer of strain. Curated success stories create unrealistic benchmarks, eroding self-worth. Meanwhile, the country's collectivist culture discourages open emotional expression, forcing young people to internalise their distress. Chronic stress, when left unaddressed, inevitably leads to psychological harm.
Exhaustion among youth is often dismissed as a personal failing. But psychologists argue it is a rational response to prolonged, uncontrollable stress among them. Resilience depends on rest, safety, and a sense of purpose—resources many young Bangladeshis lack.
Tackling youth exhaustion demands more than individual advice. Schools, families, and media must work together to create environments that support emotional well-being among them. Without systemic change, the rising rates of burnout, anxiety, and depression will likely persist, affecting both young people and the country's future.
