UNICEF warns Afghanistan could lose 25,000+ female teachers and health workers by 2030

Since the Taliban reclaimed power in August 2021, bans on secondary schooling for girls and limits on women’s public-sector jobs have been enforced. UNICEF projects that, if these restrictions persist, Afghanistan will lose up to 20,000 female teachers and 5,400 female health workers by 2030—about a quarter of the 2021 workforce in those sectors. The analysis also warns that health-worker losses could rise to 9,600 by 2035.

Afghanistan Risks Losing 25,000 Female Teachers and Health Workers by 2030, UN WarnsReutersAfghanistan may lose 25,000 female teachers, health workers, UNICEF warnsUNICEF warns Afghanistan could lose 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030UNICEF: Afghanistan Risks Losing 25,000 Women Teachers and Health Workers by 2030Restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan could lead to a loss of over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 - UNICEF

Female civil-service representation fell from 21 % in 2023 to 17.7 % in 2025. Female teachers in basic education dropped from roughly 73,000 in 2022 to about 66,000 in 2024, a >9 % decline. At least one million girls have been barred from secondary school; the figure could double to two million by 2030. UNICEF estimates the restrictions cost $84 million annually—about 0.5 % of GDP—and project child stunting to rise from 44.7 % to 45.6 % without female health workers. The combined loss threatens school attendance for girls and curtails maternal, newborn and child health services.

Afghanistan may lose 25,000 female teachers, health workers, UNICEF warnsUNICEF warns Afghanistan could lose 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030UNICEF: Afghanistan Risks Losing 25,000 Women Teachers and Health Workers by 2030Restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan could lead to a loss of over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 - UNICEFReutersAfghanistan Risks Losing 25,000 Female Teachers and Health Workers by 2030, UN Warns

UNICEF urges the de facto authorities to lift the ban on secondary education for girls and to restore women’s right to work, warning that continued exclusion will lock girls and families into poverty and weaken essential services. The agency also highlights its ongoing emergency education programs and school-rehabilitation efforts.

Restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan could lead to a loss of over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 - UNICEF

Human-rights groups, UN experts and activists label the Taliban’s policies “gender apartheid,” accusing systematic exclusion of women from public life. Despite appeals from several Muslim-majority states, the Taliban have not reversed the bans.

Afghanistan Risks Losing 25,000 Female Teachers and Health Workers by 2030, UN Warns

Some sources cite 5,400 health workers lost by 2030, others project 9,600 by 2035. Total workforce loss is described as “more than 25,000” or “about 25,400” staff. Economic impact appears as AFN 5.3 billion and $84 million, reflecting the same magnitude.

Afghanistan may lose 25,000 female teachers, health workers, UNICEF warns

• “Afghanistan cannot afford to lose future teachers, nurses, doctors, midwives, and social workers, who sustain essential services.” — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

Restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan could lead to a loss of over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 - UNICEF

• “We urge the de facto authorities to lift the ban on secondary education for girls and call on the international community to remain committed to supporting girls' rights to learn.” — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

Restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan could lead to a loss of over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 - UNICEF

• “Denying Afghan girls access to secondary education robs an entire nation of its potential – locking girls, their families, and their communities into poverty, weakening health outcomes, and silencing the economic engine that an educated generation of women could ignite,” — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

Restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment in Afghanistan could lead to a loss of over 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030 - UNICEF

• “This will be the reality if girls continue to be excluded from education.” — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

Afghanistan Risks Losing 25,000 Female Teachers and Health Workers by 2030, UN Warns

UNICEF calls on the Taliban to reverse education and employment bans before 2030, urges donors to sustain emergency learning and health initiatives, and will monitor workforce trends while expanding community-based programs to offset the shortfall.

UNICEF warns Afghanistan could lose 25,000 female teachers and health workers by 2030