A recent census conducted by the United Nations reveals that 82% of families returning from Pakistan were already in debt at the time of their arrival in Afghanistan.
According to findings from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), households where women own mobile phones tend to earn higher incomes than those where women lack access to such devices.
The survey, conducted in December 2024, covered nearly 3,000 families who returned from Pakistan between January and June of that year. The results, released today, show a stark gender disparity in access to technology: 95% of returning men had mobile phones, compared to just 25% of women. Over time, women’s access to mobile phones decreases, further limiting their ability to work, earn income, and access essential services.
The report also highlights a decline in women’s employment and earnings over a six-month period, with employment rates dropping from 42% to 39%, and wages falling by 23%. In contrast, men’s employment rates increased from 53% to 69%, and their average income grew by 7%.
Despite this growth in male employment and wages, the majority of returnee families remain financially unstable. Many are unable to repay debts, meet rising living costs, or afford basic necessities. Over half of the surveyed families reported not having enough food.
The UNHCR notes that, after returning, individuals strive for self-reliance and shift from relying on humanitarian aid to seeking employment and income. Families with more educated members or better access to essentials—such as clean water, local markets, and sufficient food—tend to have higher income levels.
A Deepening Humanitarian Crisis
Since the beginning of 2025, over 2.3 million people have returned to Afghanistan from Iran and Pakistan. But returning is only the first step. These individuals must then find shelter, secure income, and rebuild their lives—an increasingly difficult task given the dire humanitarian and economic conditions inside the country.
The UNHCR warns that “deep structural challenges,” including entrenched gender discrimination and unmet basic needs, continue to worsen vulnerabilities. Women, in particular, face mounting restrictions on employment, education, and mobility.
In food-insecure households, women are disproportionately forced to skip meals, endangering their health and overall well-being.
The agency cautions that the mass return of migrants in 2025 could lead to further displacement and regional instability. It plans to expand its surveys to include those returning from Iran in the near future.
