KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Afghanistan’s humanitarian and economic crisis continue to deepen, despite modest economic growth, with nearly three in four people unable to meet their basic needs, according to a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The UNDP report estimates that around 28 million Afghans were living in poverty in 2025, with the crisis worsened by mass returns of migrants, worsening drought, shrinking international aid, and ongoing restrictions on women and girls.
While real GDP expanded by 1.9% in 2025, down slightly from 2.3% the previous year, rapid population growth of 6.5% resulted in a 2.1% decline in real GDP per capita, the report said.
An additional 1.4 million people were pushed into hardship following the return of 2.9 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan during 2025 alone. Nearly five million Afghans have returned since 2023, many arriving in communities already struggling with severe economic hardship.
“Taking stock of Afghanistan’s socioeconomic reality, this year’s report reveals a country under growing strain,” said Kanni Wignaraja, UNDP Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
More than 80% of households are now in debt, while nearly three-quarters rely on negative coping strategies — such as reducing food intake, selling assets, or taking children out of school — to survive. Millions of families continue to struggle to access essentials, including food, clean water, healthcare, housing, heating, and clothing.
Returnees face even harsher conditions. According to the report, 92% of recent returnees said they were unable to secure basic necessities, compared with 74% of the national population. In provinces hosting the largest numbers of returnees, only 3% of people have formal employment, while 78% depend on casual day labour.
The report also highlighted worsening climate conditions across Afghanistan. Drought affected 64% of the country last year, while access to adequate drinking water dropped sharply to 44% from 59% in 2024, increasing pressure on vulnerable communities, particularly in rural areas.
Ongoing restrictions on women and girls, enforced by nearly 100 decrees issued by the Taliban authorities since 2021, continue to limit their access to employment, education and freedom of movement, further weakening the economy and the overall labour force, the report added.
According to the report, Afghanistan’s trade deficit widened to a record $11.3 billion in 2025, equivalent to around 60% of nominal GDP, driven by rising imports and stagnant exports.
The report said reductions in international assistance have further intensified the crisis. Overall international aid to Afghanistan fell by 16.5% in 2025 despite increasing humanitarian needs.
Funding shortages also forced more than 440 clinics to close or reduce services, increasing the share of people unable to access healthcare from 16% in 2024 to 23% in 2025.
“Across Afghanistan, communities need more than short-term relief. They need a pathway to progress,” said Stephen Rodriques, UNDP Resident Representative in Afghanistan. “Investing in jobs, services, and local markets will help boost household economies and will be essential to give people a real chance to rebuild their lives.”
Afghanistan remains one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies, with nearly 22 million people requiring assistance this year, according to the UN estimates. Women and children are among the most affected. The World Food Programme projects that about 3.7 million children and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding women will face acute malnutrition in 2026.
UN agencies and humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned that widening funding gaps are threatening life-saving operations and have called for increased, sustained international support.
