As Eid al-Fitr approaches in Afghanistan, many families find themselves without bread on their tables and facing severe unemployment that threatens their livelihoods. Blistering poverty, along with political and economic crises, has pushed them to the brink of despair. For most, purchasing power has dwindled, with little sign of the joyous celebrations of past holidays. The Taliban’s inability to control food prices and their failure to provide social and welfare services have heightened desperation among the populace to meet basic needs. Mass deprivation of women from employment and the disappearance of institutions that once offered income have left people destitute, their Eid tables empty. Economic experts argue that persistent unemployment and a lack of job opportunities in a bankrupt economy have contributed to this decline in purchasing power. They highlight non-payment of salaries to workers and women’s unemployment as factors further diminishing people’s purchasing power.
Many citizens of the country state that with the Taliban’s dominance over Afghanistan, the spread of poverty and unemployment is increasing day by day, and people are becoming more pessimistic about their future. According to these citizens, unemployment has reduced people’s purchasing power, and there is no longer any mention of Eid groceries.
Meanwhile, sellers of foodstuffs and dried fruits also express concern about the decline in people’s purchasing power. They say that with the rise in unemployment rates, demand has dropped from the market, and people cannot purchase even their most necessities.
These vendors assert that market monopolization by certain traders, coupled with a twofold increase in taxes and customs duties by the Taliban, has led to a market recession and escalated prices. They argue that people’s pockets and tables have emptied due to mass unemployment and capital flight from the country, intensifying collective despair and severely impacting Afghanistan’s markets.
Persistent unemployment, escalating poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and intensified despair have placed the people of Afghanistan in a difficult situation. The majority state that they have endured a challenging and exhausting Ramadan, with no signs of Eid festivities.
Ahmad Shah, who works as a street vendor in the city of Ghazni, speaks of serious economic challenges. He, bearing a bitter testimony of his circumstances, emphasizes that due to poverty and destitution, he couldn’t afford to have his clothes tailored.
This Ghazni resident laments, “There are no job opportunities; earning a living is extremely challenging. I struggled to find the means to mend a piece of clothing, but now I can’t afford to pick up my clothes from the tailor.”
Musa, another resident of the country, states that he went to the market to buy dried fruits but couldn’t afford them due to the soaring prices, especially of dried fruits, for Eid. He says, “Every year, the situation repeats itself: work and income dwindle while prices soar. Unfortunately, I could only afford to buy a carton of cake and a packet of chocolates out of the eight items on my list due to a lack of money.”
Azarakhsh Hafezi, an economic expert, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that persistent unemployment, lack of employment opportunities, and a somewhat lackluster economy have led to a decrease in people’s purchasing power.
Mr. Hafezi added, “In the past, a significant number of employees of international organizations who worked with foreign forces have become unemployed. Retirees haven’t received their pensions for the past year and a half. On the other hand, global community assistance for development programs, which employed many people in temporary jobs, has almost disappeared.”
This economic expert noted that Afghanistan previously lacked economic prosperity based on domestic production and competitive exports. Instead, there was an artificial and false prosperity in the presence of foreign forces and their aid. With the cessation of aid and the departure of foreigners, those jobs disappeared, and those who worked with them lost their livelihoods.
Mr. Hafezi emphasized, “Every year, over 400,000 young people join the workforce, and there is no prediction of serious job creation, and the efforts being made are minimal. The only way to rescue people from poverty and destitution is to attract foreign investment and international aid to Afghanistan and finance national and regional projects, which have been delayed due to the Taliban’s lack of international recognition.”
This economic expert further adds, “All these issues require a legitimate political framework to facilitate international investment and make Afghanistan part of the global financial economy, so it can obtain assistance or at least loans from international banks for its projects. Otherwise, people will become poorer every day.”
This comes as the United Nations has stated that the needs stemming from four decades of conflict, poverty, climate change-induced crises, women’s economic marginalization, and overall food insecurity remain high throughout Afghanistan.
According to a report, approximately 13.1 million people in Afghanistan are classified as experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity. The report highlights that unemployment persists in both the formal and informal sectors and the continued high levels of household debt. It states that the severe decline in people’s purchasing power has weakened their resilience against vulnerability and eroded their ability to cope.
On the other hand, the World Bank reported that over half of Afghan families face significant pressure to sustain their livelihoods, heavily relying on international aid and foreign remittances. The bank also noted a concerning rise in unemployment among youth and women. Urban poverty is at its peak, while rural areas suffer severely from challenges induced by climate change, according to the World Bank report.
Women, more than anyone else, are affected by the current situation in Afghanistan, and under the Taliban government, there is no clear prospect for their employment. According to a survey by the Afghanistan Welfare Monitoring Survey (AWMS), there has been a general increase in the labor supply surpassing demand, and doubling the unemployment rate.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has also stated that the political crisis has paralyzed the economy and put the labor market under severe pressure. The United Nations further emphasizes that after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, small and medium-sized businesses are also facing a crisis.
