The International Labour Organization (ILO) released a new report indicating that women now make up only about 5% of Afghanistan’s labor force. The figure, 5.1% in 2026, represents a steep decline from 16.5% in 2020, less than one‑third of the previous level.
Factors behind the drop
The ILO attributes the sharp decrease to policies imposed by the Taliban since their takeover five years ago. Restrictions on women’s education and employment have limited their ability to participate in the formal economy.
Broader labor market trends
While female participation has plummeted, male employment in Afghanistan has risen sharply. Overall employment in the country grew 14% from a 2022 low, reaching 8.5 million jobs in 2026. However, the growth has not kept pace with rapid population increases, especially as many Afghans return from neighboring countries such as Pakistan.
Entrepreneurial activity
Despite the overall exclusion from many professions, the United Nations Development Programme notes that the number of women‑owned businesses has risen ten‑fold since the Taliban takeover, reflecting a shift toward entrepreneurship as other avenues close.
International response
ILO senior coordinator Tite Habiyakare warned that Afghanistan cannot build a resilient labor market while such a large share of its population remains excluded from economic activity. The organization called for measures to address the severe exclusion of women from the workforce.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
