KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – A young man in Nangarhar province, eastern Afghanistan, took his own life by throwing himself under a truck, with local sources attributing the act to poverty and economic hardship.
The incident took place on Sunday in Jalalabad, the provincial capital. The man was identified as Bilal, a resident of Pachir Aw Agam district, according to the sources.
Local Taliban authorities have not commented on the incident.
This incident follows a similar one reported just days earlier, when another young man also threw himself under a truck in Jalalabad, reportedly for the same reasons.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, suicide rates among young Afghans have surged, driven by widespread poverty, soaring unemployment, domestic violence, and increasingly restrictive policies, particularly targeting women and youth.
Afghanistan is grappling with one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. According to United Nations, nearly 23 million people—more than half the population—require humanitarian assistance, and 15 million face acute food insecurity.
The Taliban’s inability to stabilize the economy, coupled with a sharp decline in international aid—including cuts from the United States—has further deepened the crisis.
The deteriorating conditions have made Afghanistan one of the most psychologically distressed nations globally. A recent Gallup study found that 98% of Afghans experience psychological distress, with youth being the most affected.
Data compiled by Etilaatroz and KabulNow reveals that at least 213 individuals died by suicide in 2023, nearly 80% of them under the age of 20. However, the real toll is likely higher due to Taliban media restrictions and the social stigma surrounding mental health and suicide.
