According to BMET statistics, 333,427 Bangladeshi workers secured employment abroad between 17 February and 17 August. During the corresponding timeframe in the previous year, that figure stood at 542,438. This represents a net decrease of 209,011 workers heading overseas within just one year, signaling a major downturn in the country’s labor export market.

Saudi Arabia remains the primary destination for Bangladeshi migrant workers, absorbing 169,646 individuals—or 50.87 per cent—of total departures over the past six months. Despite maintaining its position as the top recruiter, overall migration to the kingdom fell by more than half compared to the previous year’s figure of 361,366. Traditional Middle Eastern destinations such as Qatar and Kuwait also recorded noticeable declines. Conversely, recruitment figures rose in markets including Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, and Italy.

A comparative breakdown of worker migration across key destinations over the two corresponding six-month periods (17 February to 17 August) is detailed below:

The drop in migration numbers reflects tightening visa policies, shifting labor demands, and slower clearance procedures in key Middle Eastern countries. Industry experts emphasise the urgent need to diversify labor destinations and enhance skilled workforce training to stabilize international manpower exports.