Bangladesh's manpower export sector has demonstrated remarkable growth in the first quarter of 2026, with a 15% increase compared to the same period last year. This surge is attributed to new labor agreements with Middle Eastern countries and increased demand for skilled workers in Southeast Asia.
According to the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), over 200,000 workers have been deployed in the first three months of 2026, with Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Malaysia being the top destination countries.
The construction sector continues to lead demand, accounting for 35% of all deployments, followed by manufacturing (25%) and services (20%). Skilled workers are increasingly sought after, with wages rising by an average of 8% across key markets.