Residents of the capital city, Kabul, say job opportunities are shrinking by the day, squeezing household incomes as living costs rise during the winter months.
Several residents told Amu TV that daily earnings for casual labourers and self-employed workers have fallen sharply, in some cases to between 150 and 200 afghanis ($2–$3), levels they described as unsustainable for supporting families.
“People are desperate. There is no work, no income,” said one Kabul resident who asked not to be named. “We just want jobs. Without work, we cannot survive.”
Others said reduced employment opportunities have coincided with rising food prices and higher household expenses, compounding pressure on families already struggling after years of economic contraction.
“I am the sole breadwinner for a family of ten,” said another Kabul resident who earns a living from small-scale photocopying work. “Some days I make only 150 or 200 afghanis. Some days there is no work at all, and I walk home with nothing.”
Similar concerns have been raised in other parts of the country, where residents say unemployment is increasing and incomes are declining as economic activity slows.
Afghanistan’s economy has been under severe strain since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, with international sanctions, reduced foreign aid and banking restrictions contributing to widespread job losses and poverty. Many Afghans have appealed to the international community, including the United Nations, for continued humanitarian and economic support as living conditions deteriorate.
