PM calls for leveraging demographic potential to build prosperous Bangladesh

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for transforming the country's demographic potential into a driving force to build a prosperous country. For sustainable development he also called for human resource development, expanding universal healthcare, strengthening family planning programmes and empowerment of women and youth.

In a message issued on the eve of World Population Day 2026 to be observed tomorrow, the Prime Minister said improving people's quality of life and ensuring a healthy, educated, skilled and dignified life for every citizen is one of the foremost commitments of the present government. He said the government is working relentlessly to build a prosperous, inclusive and self-reliant Bangladesh by transforming demographic potential into a force for sustainable development.

The Prime Minister said one of the key goals of the country's development journey is to transform the potential of young people into the driving force of national progress. To achieve that objective, he said, the government is implementing multidimensional initiatives integrating education, skills development, employment, healthcare and family planning. In this context, he called upon the people of the country, particularly the younger generation, to embrace the spirit of World Population Day 2026 and actively contribute to its objectives.

Referring to this year's theme of the day- "Realising the hopes and aspirations of young people today and for the future"- the Prime Minister said it is closely aligned with the country's national development vision. He said Bangladesh's future depends on a generation that is educated, skilled, technology-friendly, healthy, humane and innovative.

The Prime Minister said the state must ensure an environment where young people can receive quality education, secure employment opportunities, access improved healthcare services and build safe, dignified and happy families based on their aspirations, abilities and values. He said today's youth are the principal driving force of an information technology-driven and knowledge-based economy.

The government, he said, remains committed to building a Bangladesh where every young man and woman acquires relevant skills to demonstrate their capabilities in both domestic and global labour markets and make meaningful contributions to national development. "We believe that when economic security, social stability and an improved healthcare system are ensured, young people will be able to plan their future with confidence and make informed decisions on important issues such as building responsible families," he said.

The Prime Minister said a healthy population is a prerequisite for building a developed nation. To achieve that goal, he said, the government is working to ensure accessible, quality and accountable healthcare services for all.  At the same time, initiatives are continuing to strengthen family planning programmes, expand technology-based healthcare services and develop skilled human resources, he said, adding that these integrated efforts will lay a strong foundation for the country's future healthcare system.

The Prime Minister noted that challenges such as child marriage, adolescent motherhood and malnutrition continue to hinder the development and advancement of the country's younger generation. He said these issues affect not only individual adolescents or families but also have long-term consequences on human resource development, continuity of education, women's empowerment, maternal and child health and national productivity.

For this reason, he said, the government is implementing coordinated programmes to prevent child marriage, expand quality sexual and reproductive healthcare services for adolescents, improve nutrition and strengthen life skills-based education and related services. The Prime Minister expressed his firm belief that if every young man and woman is given equal opportunities to grow up healthy, educated, skilled and confident, they will become the principal driving force behind building a prosperous and developed Bangladesh.

He urged all to work together to build a Bangladesh where every young person's hopes, aspirations and potential are fully realised, enabling them to play a leading role in creating a safe, prosperous and humane future. The Prime Minister wished every success of all programmes organised to mark World Population Day 2026.