KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A 15-year-old boy has died by suicide in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan, amid a recent surge in suicide cases across the country.
Local sources told KabulNow that the boy, identified as Naqeebullah, ended his life by hanging himself in the Kabul Camp area of Jalalabad city, the provincial capital, on Friday night, April 25.
The cause of the suicide remains unclear. Local Taliban authorities have not yet commented on the incident.
This case comes only days after two young girls reportedly took their own lives in Badakhshan province, highlighting a troubling rise in suicides among Afghanistan’s youth.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, suicide rates have surged, particularly among young boys and girls. Widespread poverty, soaring unemployment, domestic violence, and increasingly restrictive policies—especially those targeting women and youth—are among the main drivers.
Afghanistan is grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. According to the UN, over half the population—nearly 23 million people—require humanitarian assistance, with 15 million facing acute food insecurity.
According to data compiled by Etilaatroz and KabulNow, at least 213 people died by suicide in 2023, with nearly 80% under the age of 20. However, the real figure is likely higher due to Taliban media restrictions and the social stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.
