Afghanistan’s economy is in crisis, and women and girls are being hit the hardest, according a newly published report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
The report, titled ‘Afghanistan Socio-Economic Outlook 2023′, says that the Afghan economy collapsed after the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, with output falling by 20.7$ in that year, and suffered a further decline 3.6% 2022, with the Taliban’s restrictions on women and girls’ work and education being a major factor.
The overall economic outlook for Afghanistan, the report says, will be “very difficult”, with an estimated real GDP growths of 1.3% in 2023 and 0.4% in 2004, with the GDP per capita declining from $359 in 2022 to $345 in 2024, among the lowest in the world.
The report further warns that the economic and social conditions in Afghanistan “offer little optimism”.
The social conditions, the report says, will continue to deteriorate, with people being dependent on humanitarian aid. But the Taliban’s restrictions on women, has put aid to the country at risk.
The UNDP warns against further reduction in aid, and says it will continue to work with partners to keep aid deliveries continuing.
