Afghanistan: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan's unemployment rate was 13.4% in 2025, according to the modelled International Labour Organization estimate on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

The rate counts people without work who are available for and looking for it, as a share of the labour force. It is a modelled estimate built from past surveys, so it can differ from a national survey figure. The IMF does not publish an unemployment figure for Afghanistan. The site of the National Statistics and Information Authority (gsia.gov.af) could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: unemployment, modelled ILO estimate, Afghanistan

What is the minimum wage in Afghanistan?

No current official minimum wage figure was found on the sites of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Finance, checked on 15 October 2026. The site of the National Statistics and Information Authority (gsia.gov.af) could not be reached on 15 October 2026.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs publishes news of its employment and vocational training programmes on its site.

Official sources: Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs · Ministry of Finance

How much is the minimum wage in Afghanistan?

5,500 AFN a month: that is the statutory minimum wage in Afghanistan for 2024, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

What is the average wage in Afghanistan?

The ILO puts average monthly earnings of employees in Afghanistan at $172 a month in 2020. It is 6th highest of 8 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is $696 a month. World rank, highest first: 86th of 93.

How high is unemployment in Afghanistan?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 13.4%. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 14.1%; its low point was 2009, at 7.8%. It is 8th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 8.3%. World rank, highest first: 20th of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Afghanistan?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 16.8%. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 17.5%; its low point was 2010, at 10.0%. It is 12th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 18.3%. World rank, highest first: 61st of 174.

How many people in Afghanistan are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 37.5%. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 45.2%, and Afghanistan placed 18th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 169th highest.

What is female labour force participation in Afghanistan?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Afghanistan was 5.1% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 24.0%, and Afghanistan placed 20th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 173rd highest.

What share of adults in Afghanistan have a job?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Afghanistan was 32.5% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 32.3% (2023) to 43.4% (2014). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 40.0%, and Afghanistan placed 18th highest of 21. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 169th highest.

How many workers in Afghanistan are self-employed or family workers?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 81.8%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 80.6% (2021) to 93.5% (2005). It is 1st highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 21.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 9th highest.

What share of workers in Afghanistan earn a wage or salary?

In 2025, the share of workers who are paid employees in Afghanistan was 16.6%, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 17.7%; its low point was 2005, at 6.4%. It is 21st highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 74.1%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 163rd highest.