The fact that Bangladesh continues to top the list of sea arrivals of migrants to Europe indicates that we have largely failed to nurture and capitalise on our demographic dividend—the youth. According to a report in this daily, citing UNHCR data, at least 20,259 Bangladeshis reached Europe in 2025, enduring perilous sea journeys through illegal routes. They made up 30.5 percent of the total arrivals by sea, far more than any other country.
That the number of people, even from war-ravaged Sudan, is far lower than the number of Bangladeshis lured to Europe by human trafficking gangs, underscores the depths of anxiety and uncertainty that shape the outlook of many of our young people. Sadly, high levels of irregular migration from Bangladesh persist, with 1,358 Bangladeshis reaching Europe by sea in the first two months of this year. Worse still, many end up losing their lives in this venture. In March alone, at least 18 Bangladeshis died while crossing the Mediterranean Sea on a small boat from a port in eastern Libya to Europe. The survivors, including 21 Bangladeshis who were rescued off the Greek coast, later recounted the dangerous journey traffickers had compelled them to undertake. Many of them spent months locked in “game ghars” or detention centres without their phones or documents, and even without sufficient food and water, before being sent off to sea in small rubber boats. Often, these migrant hopefuls are rescued by patrolling ships, but their ordeals do not end there. Sometimes, they are sent home broke and burdened with enormous debt, like 21-year-old Shakil Ahmed from Sunamganj, who had paid Tk 10.5 lakh to a broker to take him to Greece. He never reached Greece; instead he was kept in Libya until his rescue and deportation in 2024.
A recent BRAC study found that most of the people whom brokers had promised good jobs did not find any after reaching Libya. Instead, many were detained along the way and suffered physical abuse. They usually travel to Libya via Dubai, Egypt, Qatar, Istanbul, or Syria. From there, some are sent on notorious sea journeys, often with insufficient food and water. Quoting a Criminal Investigation Department official, this daily reported that around 70,000 people, mostly aged between 25 and 40, have gone to Europe this way over the last decade.
Since news reports of irregular migration do not appear to deter young people from attempting such journeys, more targeted programmes in areas prone to human trafficking should be undertaken by the government. Young people can be trained for skilled migration or provided with entrepreneurial opportunities. At the same time, intelligence must be gathered on local recruiters to bring to account the ringleaders of trafficking gangs. The government must ensure that the lives and aspirations of this country’s young people are not lost in the pursuit of the so-called European dream.
