Barriers to Youth Entrepreneurship in Bangladesh: Structural, Social, and Psychological Challenges

Youth entrepreneurship plays an important role in economic development, innovation, and employment generation in developing countries such as Bangladesh. Despite growing interest among young people in entrepreneurship, many youths still face significant structural, social, and psychological barriers that discourage them from pursuing entrepreneurial careers. This research aims to identify the major challenges affecting youth entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and to explore possible support systems that may

encourage young individuals to engage in business activities.

A quantitative survey method was used to collect primary data from young individuals between the ages of 16 and 30. Data were collected through an anonymous online questionnaire consisting of fourteen questions related to entrepreneurial interest, financial barriers, social influences, confidence, and support systems. According to the survey findings, a significant 75.1% of respondents identified the lack of financial support as a major obstacle to youth entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. Among them, 43.8% expressed a

'Strongly Agree' sentiment, underscoring the severity of this structural challenge. A total of sixteen responses were collected and analyzed using descriptive methods.

The findings indicate that most participants are interested in entrepreneurship but face several obstacles, including lack of financial support, fear of failure, social pressure, and insufficient access to training and mentorship. The research also found that many participants believe entrepreneurship education should be included in academic curricula to better prepare youth for business opportunities.

This study highlights the importance of youth-focused entrepreneurial support systems in Bangladesh. The findings may contribute to future educational reforms, policy development, and youth empowerment initiatives designed to encourage entrepreneurship among young people.