A majority of citizens of Afghanistan have expressed concerns over the rise in unemployment and the deepening of poverty across the country. They say joblessness has reached an all-time high, creating conditions that have normalized begging. According to these individuals, many families are now unable to afford even a single meal per day. Meanwhile, a report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) states that the poverty rate in Afghanistan has exceeded 97 percent. Additionally, 90 percent of women have been excluded from the workforce, with only 7 percent of them having worked outside their homes in the past year. The report adds that 69 percent of the Afghan population is unemployed and has no source of income, while child labor in handicrafts and scavenging has increased.
Several citizens have complained about the growing unemployment, expanding poverty, and lack of job opportunities in Afghanistan. They argue that despite the Taliban’s claims of creating employment opportunities, their downsizing of government structures has not only failed to generate jobs but has also deprived people of their livelihoods. These citizens further state that favoritism, nepotism, and the dominance of Taliban loyalists have marginalized individuals who do not share the Taliban’s ideology or lack connections.
Sarshaar, a woman who was dismissed from her job by the Taliban, told the Hasht-e Subh Daily that she and her husband have both been unemployed for over a year and have sold all their possessions to cover living expenses. She said they haven’t been able to pay their rent for the past three months. “I have three children. For a year now, my husband and I have been sitting at home without work. I used to work with a non-governmental organization, but they let me go. I graduated in Law and Political Science and have worked in various roles for about 20 years, but now I am left without income or purpose. We’ve sold everything we owned. The situation is so dire, it’s hard to put into words. Favoritism and nepotism are at their peak,” she explained.
Farnoush, who previously worked for a government institution during the former administration, said her income supported her entire family. She stated that she was dismissed nearly three years ago by the Taliban and, despite repeated attempts to find work through government offices, she has not succeeded. “Everyone in Afghanistan is struggling. There are no jobs, and the bone-crushing poverty has broken people’s spirits. Conditions have worsened to the point where many families fear for their children’s survival. Kabul has turned into a city of beggars,” she said.
Ahmad, a young job seeker, remarked that unemployment has placed people in a painful situation, leaving them unable to focus on any aspect of life beyond basic survival. “People are confused and worried about what to eat tomorrow and how to find a piece of dry bread for their children,” he said. According to him, the issue of unemployment has been overshadowed by the censorship of domestic media, the distance of exile media outlets, major political challenges, and the broader tragedies affecting women, receiving little attention overall.
At the same time, in a report titled Afghanistan Socio-Economic Review, published on April 30, 2024, UNDP stated that only 7 percent of women worked outside their homes during 2024. The organization estimated that current restrictions on women and girls could cost Afghanistan’s economy nearly $920 million between 2024 and 2026.
The report also noted a rise in child labor in 2024, particularly among boys. According to the report, the employment rate for boys this year stands at approximately 15 percent, nearly twice the rate of employment among girls. The report further stated that the forced return of migrants from Pakistan and Iran has negatively impacted the job market, further increasing unemployment.
According to UNDP’s findings, 69 percent of the population in Afghanistan is either unemployed or lacks sufficient income, 90 percent of women have lost their jobs, and 40 percent of existing employment falls within the informal economy, devoid of contracts or insurance. Furthermore, the national poverty rate has surpassed 97 percent.
The International Labour Organization (ILO), in a 2023 report, stated that youth unemployment in urban areas of Afghanistan had reached over 30 percent. The report highlighted a significant rise in child labor, especially in informal sectors such as handicrafts and waste collection. It also warned that 95 percent of Afghan workers lack any form of social protection or legal coverage, making them highly vulnerable to labor exploitation and structural poverty.
The World Bank, in a 2024 report, noted that since 2021, over 700,000 jobs have been lost in Afghanistan. According to the report, youth unemployment in urban areas has risen above 30 percent, while the services and construction sectors have been severely affected, with a sharp decline in job opportunities. The World Bank stated that Afghanistan’s formal economy has effectively collapsed, leaving behind a fragile and unstable informal economy. Unemployment has doubled, and one in every four Afghan youths is jobless, while only one in five households has a stable income.
These warnings and concerns are being raised as Hibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban Supreme Leader, stated in his Eid al-Fitr speech that poverty is part of divine destiny and that the poor should not complain about their circumstances. According to him, God has always known that the poor are patient, and therefore He created them as such. The Taliban Supreme Leader called on the poor to remain content and not hold others responsible for their economic hardships.
You can read the Persian version of this report here:
سلطه طالبان و سایه فقر؛ حدود ۷۰ درصد مردم افغانستان بیکارند | روزنامه ۸صبح
