Uber’s Economic Impact in Bangladesh: Over 21 Lakh Jobs Created in 2024
In 2024, 82% of commuters in Bangladesh relied on Uber for their daily office travel, saving an estimated 1.1 million work hours annually and the equivalent of BDT 9.4 billion. Uber's overall contribution to the country’s economy amounted to BDT 550 billion last year, with Uber Auto and Moto services alone adding BDT 92 billion.
These findings were revealed in a study conducted by international research firm Public First.
On Tuesday, the report was presented at an event in a hotel in Dhaka by Amy Price, Public First Director at Uber. The event was attended by BRTA Chairman Rahman Yasin, BIDA Director Gazi AKM Fazlul Haque, and James M. Gardiner, First Secretary of the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh. The session was moderated by Ashraf Kaiser and featured insights from Uber Bangladesh’s Country Head Nasik Ferdous Kamal, CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun, and PwC Bangladesh Managing Partner Shams Zaman.
During the discussion, BRTA Chairman Rahman Yasin acknowledged complaints regarding irregularities in Uber’s operations. "We have held meetings on this issue and are working on measures to enhance monitoring. Drivers who violate agreements are having their licenses revoked. Our goal is to ensure Uber delivers a sustainable and reliable technology-driven service," he said.
Fahmida Khatun emphasized the importance of safety for both female drivers and riders. "Ride-sharing technology is environmentally friendly and plays a crucial role in economic growth and employment generation. Now, the focus should be on making these services carbon-neutral and sustainable," she noted.
According to the report, Uber created 2.14 million jobs in Bangladesh in 2024. The platform enabled passengers to gain BDT 6,690 billion in consumer benefits. Among Uber’s drivers, 76% identified the platform as their primary source of income, with 50% stating that without Uber, their employment opportunities would be significantly limited.
On the commuter side, 81% of riders believe that booking a ride through Uber is significantly more convenient than hailing a vehicle from the street. Additionally, 86% consider Uber’s app a major transportation innovation, while 95% of female users cited safety as their primary reason for using the service. Notably, 78% of passengers felt that traveling at night would be much more difficult without Uber, and 27% believe the app has greatly improved urban mobility.
Uber, which launched its ride-sharing services in 2010, has served over 7.2 million passengers in Bangladesh as of 2024, while providing livelihood opportunities for 350,000 drivers.
