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ILO Warns Afghanistan’s Women’s Work Rate Plunges to 5.1%

8/18/2026

25 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Female labor force participation fell to 5.1% in 2026, down from 16.5% in 2020 (ILO).
The ILO said 5.1% is the second-lowest globally after Yemen, warning that excluding women harms labor-market resilience.
Women-owned businesses rose tenfold since the Taliban takeover, while total employment grew 14% to 8.5 million in 2026.
Over 6 million returnees and inflation climbing to 8% by May 2026 strained the labor market, especially poorer households.

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Story summary

Female labor force participation fell to 5.1% in 2026, down from 16.5% in 2020 (ILO).
The ILO said 5.1% is the second-lowest globally after Yemen, warning that excluding women harms labor-market resilience.
Women-owned businesses rose tenfold since the Taliban takeover, while total employment grew 14% to 8.5 million in 2026.
Over 6 million returnees and inflation climbing to 8% by May 2026 strained the labor market, especially poorer households.