Poverty and living standards in Kandahar, Afghanistan: official figures
9.7% of people in Kandahar were in the poorest fifth of Afghan households by the survey's wealth index (housing, assets and services) in 2022-23, and 19.1% in the richest fifth; the share in the poorest fifth is 6th lowest of the 34 provinces (20% for the country by definition).
How many children in Kandahar work?
27.8% of children aged 5 to 17 in Kandahar were in child labour in the week before the 2022-23 survey, 7th highest 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 Kandahar?
31.2% of women aged 20 to 24 in Kandahar were first married before the age of 18, and 13.1% before 15; 16th highest 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 Kandahar?
The births of 22.0% of children under five in Kandahar were registered with the National Statistics and Information Authority in 2022-23, 3rd 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 Kandahar?
95.2% of children aged 1 to 14 in Kandahar experienced violent discipline (physical punishment or shouting and insults) at home in the month before the survey, 2nd highest of the 34 provinces (Afghanistan: 87.6%).
Source: UNICEF Afghanistan in collaboration with the National Statistics and Information Authority (NSIA) · saved copyHow Kandahar compares with other provinces
People in the poorest fifth of Afghan households (wealth index) (2022-23)
Kandahar ranks 29 of 34, highest first. 20% nationally by definition
| Rank | Region | People in the poorest fifth of Afghan households (wealth index) |
|---|---|---|
| 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% |
| 32 | Logar | 7.0% |
Children aged 5-17 in child labour (2022-23)
Kandahar ranks 7 of 34, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children aged 5-17 in child labour |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Samangan | 30.7% |
| 5 | Daykundi | 29.5% |
| 6 | Takhar | 28.1% |
| 7 | Kandahar | 27.8% |
| 8 | Parwan | 27.5% |
| 9 | Zabul | 26.1% |
| 10 | Logar | 26.0% |
More on Kandahar: 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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