Afghanistan Economic Recovery Buckles as Nine in Ten Families Go Hungry or Into Debt: UNDP
— Afghanistan’s fragile economic recovery is faltering, with nearly nine out of ten families now facing hunger or plunging deeper into debt, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The report paints a grim picture of a nation still reeling from years of conflict, political instability, and international isolation. Despite limited signs of stabilization in certain sectors, widespread poverty and food insecurity continue to dominate daily life across Afghanistan.
UNDP’s latest assessment reveals that 90% of Afghan households are struggling to meet basic food needs or have resorted to borrowing money to survive. The combination of declining incomes, high inflation, and limited employment opportunities has created what the agency describes as a “protracted humanitarian and economic crisis.”
Stalled Recovery Amid Growing Hardship
While Afghanistan’s economy showed early signs of stabilization after a sharp collapse in 2021, UNDP officials warn that the recovery has now “buckled under pressure.” The country’s GDP remains 25% below pre-2021 levels, and most small businesses are either struggling or have shut down entirely due to lack of capital and consumer demand.
“The Afghan people are enduring one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises,” said Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan. “Families are selling assets, pulling children out of school, and skipping meals — not because they want to, but because they have no other choice.”
Women and Rural Populations Hit Hardest
The report highlights that women-headed households and rural communities are disproportionately affected. Restrictions on women’s employment have further constrained household incomes, pushing many into extreme poverty. Rural areas, already dependent on agriculture, have been hit by persistent drought and limited access to markets and credit.
International Aid Decline Deepens Crisis
International aid, which once sustained much of Afghanistan’s economy, has declined significantly in recent years. UNDP warns that without renewed global engagement and targeted assistance, the crisis could spiral further, threatening long-term social stability.
“Humanitarian aid alone cannot sustain Afghanistan,” the report stresses. “Economic revitalization through job creation, access to finance, and inclusion of women in the workforce are critical for any sustainable recovery.”
A Call for Collective Action
UNDP has urged the international community to step up financial and technical support, while also calling on Afghan authorities to create an enabling environment for local businesses, agriculture, and education.
As millions of Afghans struggle to survive another harsh winter, the report underscores that “recovery remains fragile and reversible” unless urgent steps are taken to restore livelihoods and strengthen food security.