UN: 90% of Afghanistan Families Take on Debt or Sell Assets to Survive

DID Press: A recent report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) highlights an “unprecedented deterioration” of Afghanistan’s economic situation, revealing that 90 percent of families in Afghanistan are relying on borrowing, selling household assets, or reducing meals to meet basic needs.

The report indicates that many families can no longer cover daily expenses and are resorting to emergency coping mechanisms to survive.

It also warns that the influx of returning migrants from Iran and Pakistan has significantly intensified the country’s economic challenges. Since 2023, over 4.5 million migrants have returned to Afghanistan, increasing the population by roughly 10 percent and placing heavy pressure on the labor market, social services, and limited resources.

According to the report, nearly all returning families carry substantial debts ranging from $373 to $900, up to five times higher than the average household debt in Afghanistan. This suggests that many returnees were already facing severe financial difficulties even before re-entering the country.