Over Half of Afghanistan’s Population Working to “Survive”
The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) say that almost 54 percent of the population in Afghanistan lived below the poverty line in 1395 (solar year), showing 16 percent increase in comparison with 1391.
The Central Statistics Organization (CSO) say that almost 54 percent of the population in Afghanistan lived below the poverty line in 1395 (solar year), showing 16 percent increase in comparison with 1391.
The deputy head of the Central Statistics Bureau of the country, said the poverty rate in 1391 (solar year) was 38 percent, which increased 54 percent in the new report.
According to him, the income of over half of the country’s population is less than 2,060 Afghani (less than $ 30) per month.
The unemployment rate in the country leveled up from 22 percent to 24 percent.
According to the report, the poverty rate in Afghanistan has risen by 16 percent in the past five years. The poverty rate is less in the summer and risen by 65 percent in the winter season.
Meanwhile, the CSO says that 44 percent of Afghans do not have food security.
The technical deputy of the department said that among 44 percent of the population of Afghanistan without food security, 13 percent are very severe, 14 percent severe and 17 percent modest.
He said if anyone consumes less than 1,500 kilos of calories a day, he is in severe food insecurity.
Meanwhile, Mustafa Mastoor, the country’s economy minister, said lack of food security is another challenge in the country, adding that in the previous statistics, 33 percent of the Afghan population did not enjoy food security, and now the number increased by 44 percent.
The country’s economy minister said this shows that the major economic indicators in Afghanistan have not been performing well.
“Insecurity, political instability, the controversy over 2014 presidential election, and a decline in investment rate have been major causes of this situation,” Mr Mastoor emphasized.
Pointing out the $ 80 million that was spent on reducing poverty and unemployment, Mr Mastoor expressed concerns over 95 percent poverty rate in southern Uruzgan province is 95 and 85 percent in eastern Nuristan province.
He announced that the poverty rate in Kabul is at 24 percent.
