New Trends in Migration: Chattogram Loses Its Dominance

The district of Chattogram has lost its long-held dominance in the international labor market. After decades of holding the top spot, it has been overtaken by Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Chandpur. This decline marks a significant shift in the migration landscape of Bangladesh.
Historical Context and the Shift

Until 2005, Chattogram consistently ranked as the top district for overseas employment. Since then, a competitive dynamic emerged between Chattogram and Cumilla.

According to data from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training (BMET), Chattogram maintained a steady second-place ranking for consecutively 14 years, from 2005 to 2018. During this period, an average of 40,000 to 50,000 people from the district migrated abroad for work, annually. The district reached its historical peak in 2017, sending 83,500 workers abroad.

The decline began in 2019 when Chattogram slipped to third place, losing its position to Brahmanbaria. The trend continued during the COVID-19 pandemic; Chandpur moved into the third spot, pushing Chattogram down to fourth. Although Chattogram briefly reclaimed second place in 2023, it has since settled into the fourth position.
Reasons Behind the Decline

Zahirul Alam Majumder, Deputy Director (Administration) of BMET—who previously served as the head of the Chattogram manpower office—pointed out several key factors for this shift:

Specific Job Preferences: Unlike workers from other districts, migrants from Chattogram focus heavily on business and related sectors. They show significantly less interest in other professions.

Restricted Destinations: Chattogram's workforce primarily targets the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. Since labor markets in these specific preferred destinations have faced various restrictions in recent years, the overall migration flow from the district has slowed.

Local Employment Opportunities: Domestic job opportunities within Chattogram have increased. Many residents now find local wages comparable to or better than what they would earn abroad, leading to a decreased interest in overseas migration.

The Rise of Other Districts

In contrast, districts like Cumilla, Brahmanbaria, and Chandpur have shown more flexibility.

"Workers from Cumilla do not have a specific job preference or a single destination," Majumder noted. "They are willing to travel to any country where an opportunity arises."

By being open to smaller labor markets in Africa and Europe, these three districts have successfully maintained high migration numbers even when major Middle Eastern markets were closed or restricted.

Shah Alam, Managing Director of Gulf Travels, shares a similar observation regarding the workforce in Chattogram. He noted, "With the development of the Mirsarai Special Economic Zone, the Karnaphuli Tunnel, and various other infrastructure projects, local employment opportunities in Chattogram have increased significantly. Consequently, residents have lost interest in migrating for unskilled labor markets."

"Furthermore, due to a high standard of living and per capita income, the low wages offered in the Middle East are now seen as economically unviable and socially less attractive to a resident of Chattogram. This has caused Chattogram to fall behind while other districts have surged ahead," he added.
Cultural and Social Factors

Research conducted by BMET and the private organization RMMRU highlights that in regions like Cumilla and Brahmanbaria, working abroad has evolved into a social culture. When an individual from these areas builds a large brick house with overseas earnings, it inspires others in the neighborhood to migrate as well.

Moreover, expatriates from these districts are highly organized. They provide extensive support to newcomers by arranging visas, finding jobs, and securing accommodation. This strong social safety net reduces the fear of migration and keeps the migration rate on an upward trajectory.
Economic Shifts and Networking

In contrast, Chattogram’s economy is evolving differently. Recruiting agencies in the district are shifting their investments into more profitable sectors, such as real estate or the ship-breaking industry.

While sub-agents of recruiting agencies in every village of Cumilla are actively motivating people to go abroad, the people of Chattogram are no longer seeking such advice, as they have become more self-reliant than before. BMET observations suggest that this lack of institutional networking has further contributed to the decline in manpower exports from Chattogram.
Recent Migration Statistics

According to BMET data for 2025, the number of workers who went abroad is as follows:
Recent Migration StatisticsAccording to BMET data for 2025, the number of workers who went abroad is as follows: District and Number of Migrants (2025) Cumilla 76,500, Brahmanbaria 67,000, Chandpur 43,000 and Chattogram 41,900 respectively.

The trend has continued into 2026. From January 1st to April 24th, the figures are:

Cumilla: 20,520 , Brahmanbaria: 13,500, Chattogram: 9,000, Noakhali: 8,200 and Chandpur: 8,100.