The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that despite minimal economic growth in Afghanistan, the living conditions of the people remain critical, and inequalities—especially for women—are increasing. In a recently published report, the organization stated that Afghanistan experienced a 2.7% growth in GDP in 2023 and 2024; however, this economic recovery remains fragile and has not improved the living conditions for the majority of the population.
According to the report, 75% of Afghanistan’s population faced livelihood insecurity last year—a figure that has increased by six percent compared to 2023. The UNDP also emphasized that during this period, access to adequate housing, healthcare services, and essential goods has declined, while economic and climate-related shocks have intensified.
The report notes that households headed by women, rural communities, and displaced persons have reported the greatest reductions in income and expenditures. It further reveals that the gender gap has widened more than before, pushing more women into poverty and social isolation.
Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary-General of the UNDP for Asia and the Pacific, stated: “New data shows that people in Afghanistan continue to move along a worrying and difficult path.”
In another section of the report, the United Nations called for urgent action from the international community to prevent the worsening of economic, social, and gender crises in Afghanistan.
Experts say that widespread restrictions on women—including bans on work, education, and social participation—are among the key factors contributing to this heightened vulnerability. This comes as poverty, unemployment, and the need for humanitarian aid have drastically increased following the return to power of the interim government. At the same time, many international aid organizations have repeatedly warned about reduced assistance due to budget shortages, which has further exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in the country.
