Bangladesh Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Bangladesh's services employment was 37.71% in 2025, ranked 25th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Bangladesh's services employment stood at 37.71% in 2025, a rise of +0.33% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 37.12% by 2026. Bangladesh ranked 25th globally.
Bangladesh’s share of employment in services rose from an all‑time trough of 12.90 % in 1991 to a peak of 39.36 % in 2019, reflecting a structural shift as the economy diversified beyond agriculture and manufacturing. By 2025 the services‑employment ratio stood at 37.71 %, ranking 25th globally and placing Bangladesh marginally below Cambodia’s 37.72 % and above Myanmar’s 36.89 % among its peer group. The 35‑year coverage shows a sustained upward trajectory, with the most rapid gains occurring after the early 2000s when market‑friendly reforms and expansion of digital and financial services accelerated job creation in the sector. Although the 2025 figure remains slightly below the 2019 high, the modest decline suggests a temporary slowdown rather than a reversal, and continued investment in skill development and infrastructure is likely to keep the services‑employment share on an upward path in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 36.71% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 36.92% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 37.12% | - | - |
| 2025 | 37.71% | +0.33% | #25 |
| 2024 | 37.37% | +0.36% | #25 |
| 2023 | 37.01% | −1.35% | #27 |
| 2022 | 38.36% | +0.12% | #32 |
| 2021 | 38.24% | −0.24% | #35 |
| 2020 | 38.48% | −0.87% | #35 |
| 2019 | 39.36% | +0.17% | #34 |
| 2018 | 39.18% | +0.20% | #34 |
| 2017 | 38.98% | +2.11% | #34 |
| 2016 | 36.88% | +0.90% | #32 |
| 2015 | 35.98% | +0.92% | #31 |
| 2014 | 35.06% | +0.95% | #31 |
| 2013 | 34.11% | +0.46% | #29 |
| 2012 | 33.65% | +0.46% | #31 |
| 2011 | 33.19% | +0.45% | #29 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Bangladesh matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2020. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Bangladesh's services employment was 37.71% in 2025. Ranked 25th globally. This represents a 0.9% increase from the previous year.
Bangladesh's services employment peaked at 39.36% in 2019.
The lowest services employment in Bangladesh was 12.90% in 1991.
Bangladesh ranks 25th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Bangladesh's services employment is projected to reach 37.12% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Bangladesh in 2025 was 37.71%. This ranks 25th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_bangladesh_services-employment,
title = {Bangladesh Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/bangladesh/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}