Afghanistan Peace CampaignAccording to the ILO report, employment reached around 8.5 million in 2026, an increase of about 14% compared with 2022.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) says that five years after the Islamic Emirate’s takeover of Afghanistan, the gender disparities in the country’s labour market has widened, with women largely excluded from economic activity.
According to the ILO report, employment reached around 8.5 million in 2026, an increase of about 14% compared with 2022. However, employment growth has not kept pace with population growth.
The organization said employment growth has been concentrated entirely among men, with male employment increasing by around 22% compared with 2020. In contrast, female employment has declined sharply, and Afghanistan now has the second-lowest female labour force participation rate in the world.
The report states: “Overall employment is estimated to have increased by 14 per cent from its 2022 low, reaching nearly 8.5 million in 2026. However, employment growth has not kept pace with the expanding population. The employment-to-population ratio is estimated at 32.5 per cent, more than four percentage points below its 2020 level.”
The report also says that the large-scale return of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan has placed additional pressure on the labour market and livelihood opportunities.
According to the organization, more than 70% of Afghanistan’s workers are employed in sectors assessed as having at least medium exposure to rising energy costs and inflationary pressures resulting from the Middle East crisis.
“Afghanistan cannot build a resilient labour market while such a large share of its population remains excluded from economic activity,” said Tite Habiyakare, Senior Coordinator and Head of the ILO Office for Afghanistan. “Expanding women’s access to productive employment, while creating opportunities for returnees, young people and other vulnerable workers, is essential for strengthening livelihoods and supporting more inclusive economic development.”
The ILO emphasized that expanding employment opportunities for women, young people, returnees and other vulnerable groups is essential for inclusive economic development in Afghanistan.