Afghan Laborers Struggle to Afford Basic Food Basket Amid Limited Employment and High Prices

The World Food Program (WFP) released a report stating that day laborers in Afghanistan could only afford half of their basic food basket in August due to limited employment opportunities and high food prices.

According to the WFP, unskilled laborers found an average of just 2.1 days of work per week in August, with an average daily wage of 308 afghanis ($4.70). Although work availability improved slightly from July, it remained 14% below both the level recorded a year earlier and the three-year average.

The report also found that food prices remain elevated, with sholae rice up 32%, Palawi rice up 25%, wheat grain prices increasing by 14%, low-price wheat flour rising by 12%, cooking oil up 11%, and sugar up 8%. However, some foods saw a decline in price, including pulses down 13% and onions down 6%.

The report noted that Afghanistan's economy continues to show modest growth, but this is not keeping pace with population growth, limiting improvements in per capita income and household purchasing power. The WFP also stated that the country remains particularly vulnerable to regional trade disruptions and global price swings due to its reliance on imports for major food and non-food commodities.