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KABUL – Millions of Afghans are facing mounting hardship as unemployment and low wages leave families struggling to afford basic food and daily essentials. Residents across the capital and other cities report that even staple items such as flour and cooking oil have become increasingly out of reach, forcing many to borrow to survive.
“Even if we find work, it barely covers a day’s meals,” said Shukrullah, a resident of Kabul. Mirza Khan added: “A sack of flour costs around 1,400 Afghanis and cooking oil 1,600. Even earning 200 Afghanis a day is not enough.” Citizens say that the lack of work, rather than rising prices, is the biggest obstacle to feeding their families.
Local shopkeepers say the decline in household incomes has hit businesses hard. Abdul Jamil, a trader in Kabul, said: “People used to buy more, now they can barely afford small amounts.” Abdul Khalil noted that many families now purchase only fractions of what they previously did, reflecting the scale of the economic strain.
Officials at the Ministry of Economy say they are implementing measures to tackle poverty and create employment. Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister for Technical Affairs, said the government is supporting domestic industries and large-scale projects aimed at generating jobs.
However, economic experts warn that without urgent action, continued unemployment and falling incomes could exacerbate poverty, increase migration, and intensify pressures on urban centres, highlighting the need for a coordinated national strategy.
