Poverty and living standards in Balkh, Afghanistan: official figures
9.9% of people in Balkh were in the poorest fifth of Afghan households by the survey's wealth index (housing, assets and services) in 2022-23, and 34.6% in the richest fifth; the share in the poorest fifth is 7th lowest of the 34 provinces (20% for the country by definition).
How many children in Balkh work?
18.2% of children aged 5 to 17 in Balkh were in child labour in the week before the 2022-23 survey, joint 16th lowest of the 34 provinces (Afghanistan: 19.3%).
Source: UNICEF Afghanistan in collaboration with the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) · saved copyHow common is child marriage in Balkh?
20.1% of women aged 20 to 24 in Balkh were first married before the age of 18, and 4.9% before 15; 7th lowest of the 34 provinces for marriage before 18 (Afghanistan: 28.7% and 9.6%).
Source: UNICEF Afghanistan in collaboration with the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) · saved copyAre births registered in Balkh?
The births of 43.4% of children under five in Balkh were registered with the National Statistics and Information Authority in 2022-23, 17th lowest of the 34 provinces (Afghanistan: 47.8%).
Source: UNICEF Afghanistan in collaboration with the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) · saved copyHow are children disciplined in Balkh?
85.8% of children aged 1 to 14 in Balkh experienced violent discipline (physical punishment or shouting and insults) at home in the month before the survey, 10th lowest of the 34 provinces (Afghanistan: 87.6%).
Source: UNICEF Afghanistan in collaboration with the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) · saved copyHow Balkh compares with other provinces
People in the poorest fifth of Afghan households (wealth index) (2022-23)
Balkh ranks 28 of 34, highest first. 20% nationally by definition
| Rank | Region | People in the poorest fifth of Afghan households (wealth index) |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Kunduz | 12.6% |
| 26 | Khost | 10.8% |
| 27 | Maidan Wardak | 10.7% |
| 28 | Balkh | 9.9% |
| 29 | Kandahar | 9.7% |
| 30 | Jawzjan | 8.2% |
| 31 | Ghazni | 7.6% |
Children aged 5-17 in child labour (2022-23)
Balkh ranks 18 of 34, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children aged 5-17 in child labour |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Panjshir | 19.1% |
| 16 | Baghlan | 18.4% |
| 17 | Ghor | 18.3% |
| 18 | Balkh | 18.2% |
| 19 | Badghis | 18.2% |
| 20 | Paktya | 16.8% |
| 21 | Herat | 16.0% |
More on Balkh: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · Afghanistan
Sources
- UNICEF Afghanistan in collaboration with the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA): Afghanistan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2022-23, Survey Findings Report (province tables), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1469591017d8…)
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