july/2025

Causes of Youth Unemployment in Afghanistan: Economic and Social Factors

Afghanistan, a nation long plagued by war and political instability, currently grapples with one of the highest rates of youth unemployment in the world. In recent years, economic sanctions, a crumbling industrial base, and restrictive policies—particularly under Taliban governance—have severely worsened the job market. With more than 60% of the population under the age of 25, the lack of employment opportunities presents both a national crisis and a developmental challenge.
This article investigates the root causes behind this growing issue, examining the economic, social, and political dimensions. It also proposes actionable solutions aimed at reducing youth unemployment and providing sustainable livelihoods for Afghanistan’s future generations.

1. Economic Factors Contributing to Youth Unemployment

1.1 Prolonged Conflict and Economic Instability

Years of war have taken a heavy toll on Afghanistan’s infrastructure, institutions, and markets. Continuous instability has discouraged investment, driven away businesses, and disrupted trade. With roads, factories, and utilities damaged or non-functional, job-generating sectors like construction, manufacturing, and logistics have stagnated. Young people, especially recent graduates and rural migrants, face an economy unable to absorb them.

1.2 Sanctions and Loss of International Financial Support

After the Taliban regained power in 2021, billions of dollars in foreign aid were suspended or redirected.Afghanistan's frozen foreign reserves and limited access to global banking have paralyzed economic activity. Previously, international aid played a major role in funding public sector jobs and humanitarian projects. Its withdrawal has severely constrained government operations and private sector growth, slashing job openings for the country’s youth.

1.3 Decline of Major Industries

Afghanistan’s major economic sectors have deteriorated, compounding unemployment:
● Agriculture: Once a dominant source of rural employment, farming is now compromised by recurrent droughts, poor water infrastructure, and outdated techniques. Many young rural workers migrate to cities, only to find further job scarcity.
● Manufacturing: Minimal investment and the absence of industrial support policies have left factories under-resourced. Sectors like textile production and food processing offer limited opportunities, often reliant on informal labor.
● Services: Taliban-imposed restrictions, especially on women, have severely reduced employment in NGOs, healthcare, and education—sectors that once offered thousands of youth-friendly jobs.

1.4 Currency Fluctuation and Banking Disruption

Currency devaluation and the near-collapse of Afghanistan’s banking sector have damaged consumer confidence and limited access to capital. Businesses struggle to pay workers or expand operations, and the lack of formal financial services has crushed micro-enterprises and job creation. Small businesses, which could have been a lifeline for youth employment, now face insurmountable hurdles.

2. Social and Educational Barriers to Employment

2.1 Weak Educational Infrastructure and Skill Mismatch

The Afghan education system has long been hindered by insufficient funding, outdated curricula, and a shortage of qualified teachers. Schools often lack basic facilities, and students receive little career guidance or market-relevant training. Under Taliban rule, restrictions have worsened the quality and accessibility of education, especially for girls. Vocational education and technical training remain extremely limited. Without practical skills, youth are unable to transition from school to employment. This leaves many with no choice but to seek irregular work in the informal economy or remain jobless.

2.2 Gender Inequality in Education and Employment

The ban on female secondary and higher education, along with restrictions on women working in public or NGO sectors, has pushed female unemployment to catastrophic levels. Women now face systemic exclusion from both the classroom and the workplace, exacerbating economic dependency and family-level poverty.
The absence of women in the workforce also curtails national productivity. If given equal access to education and employment, Afghanistan’s labor force could double, unlocking immense economic potential.

2.3 Rapid Population Growth and Urban Migration

Afghanistan's youth population is growing rapidly, with hundreds of thousands of new entrants joining the labor force annually. Unfortunately, job creation has not kept pace. Many young people move to urban areas hoping to find better opportunities, but cities already struggle with overcrowding, housing shortages, and high unemployment. The mismatch between population growth and economic capacity has led to frustration and growing dependency on informal and often exploitative work.

2.4 Cultural Norms and Discriminatory Hiring Practices

Traditional social hierarchies and tribal affiliations continue to influence hiring practices in both public and private sectors. Personal connections often outweigh qualifications, making it difficult for youth without influential networks to secure decent jobs. Ethnic and regional discrimination further limits access for marginalized groups. Such practices discourage meritocracy, reduce competitiveness, and demotivate capable youth who are excluded from opportunity.

3. Political and Legal Constraints

3.1 Restrictive Employment Policies

The Taliban's conservative policies have eliminated numerous job avenues, especially in sectors like arts, media, and entertainment. Civil servants have been replaced with loyalists, often without relevant experience. These decisions have undermined administrative functioning and suppressed creativity and innovation—elements crucial for youth engagement and employment. Additionally, bans on female participation in key sectors have significantly reduced household incomes and created long-term social and economic challenges.

3.2 Migration and Brain Drain

Thousands of educated Afghans, including doctors, engineers, and teachers, have fled the country since 2021, seeking safety and professional opportunity abroad. This exodus has not only drained the country of critical talent but also weakened institutions that could have supported economic rebuilding.
Those who remain are often disillusioned, underpaid, and underemployed, with few opportunities for professional advancement.

3.3 Lack of Labor Protections and Social Security

Labor laws in Afghanistan are weak and poorly enforced. Minimum wage regulations are often ignored, workplace safety is neglected, and there are no comprehensive systems to support the unemployed. This lack of legal protection leaves workers—especially youth—in vulnerable positions, with no recourse in cases of exploitation or job loss.
The absence of social safety nets further compounds the issue, forcing young people to rely on unstable informal jobs or family support.

4. Psychological and Social Impact of Youth Unemployment

The long-term unemployment of Afghan youth has far-reaching social consequences. Lack of opportunity breeds disillusionment, low self-esteem, and rising mental health issues, including depression and anxiety. In a society already under strain, young people with no income or purpose may turn to drugs, crime, or radical ideologies.
The increasing gap between aspirations and reality has also created intergenerational tensions, as families struggle to support unemployed youth in a collapsing economy.
Unemployment also weakens civic engagement. When youth are excluded from economic life, they are less likely to participate in social development, political discourse, or community improvement efforts—further hindering national progress.

5. Strategies for Reducing Youth Unemployment in Afghanistan

5.1 Expand Vocational and Digital Skill Programs

To close the gap between education and employment, Afghanistan must invest in practical training. Programs focusing on trades such as tailoring, electrical work, plumbing, and mobile phone repair can provide quick entry into the job market. Equally important is digital literacy—training youth in skills like coding, graphic design, digital marketing, and freelancing can enable remote work, bypassing local restrictions.
Online learning platforms and partnerships with international tech organizations can open doors for Afghan youth despite the challenging environment.

5.2 Support Small Business Development

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have the potential to become major job creators. Policies that promote entrepreneurship, offer micro-loans, and reduce regulatory burdens can empower young people to start their own businesses. Training in business planning, marketing, and finance can further improve the survival rate of youth-led ventures.
Targeted support for female entrepreneurs through women-only cooperatives or online platforms can also unlock significant untapped potential.

5.3 Channel International Aid Toward Job-Creating Projects

Instead of general humanitarian relief, aid agencies should prioritize initiatives that provide employment. Infrastructure rebuilding, renewable energy projects, and sustainable agriculture programs can create thousands of jobs for young people while also addressing basic development needs.
These programs should also include training components to equip workers with transferable skills.

5.4 Address Gender Disparities in Policy and Practice

Encouraging inclusive policies that restore women’s rights to education and employment is essential. Even under current constraints, international actors can support community-based education for girls and remote employment models for women.
Long-term strategies must aim for the reintegration of women into every sector of the economy through advocacy, policy reform, and support from local communities.

5.5 Strengthen Governance and Rule of Law

Transparent, accountable governance can boost investor confidence and promote job creation. Enforcing labor laws, eliminating nepotism, and ensuring fair hiring practices are essential to creating a level playing field. Involving youth in local governance and development planning can also improve trust and ensure policies reflect real needs.

Youth unemployment in Afghanistan is a critical issue fueled by decades of war, economic decline, political instability, and social exclusion. Without coordinated action, the growing number of jobless youth will continue to undermine national peace, stability, and development. Yet there is hope. Investing in vocational education, promoting entrepreneurship, and supporting digital skills can provide youth with real opportunities. Empowering women, reforming governance, and redirecting aid toward productive sectors can create a more inclusive and resilient economy.
Afghanistan’s young people are its most valuable asset. With the right support, they can rebuild not just their own lives—but the future of their country.