KABUL (SW) – Unemployment in Afghanistan is a major challenge for educated youths, diminishing their hopes for the future.
A recent interview by Salam Watandar with 19 university graduates reveals that many young people are struggling to find employment after graduation, with no opportunities provided to them.
These young people report repeatedly seeking jobs at both government and non-government organizations, but none have been able to secure positions.
Humaira, a 22-year-old from Kabul, who graduated in nursing, shares that her efforts to find work over the past six months have been ineffective. “Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a job. I’ve visited many centers, even tried to find work unrelated to my field, but still couldn’t find anything,” she says.
Hafiza, a 21-year-old from Herat, points out that nepotism also affects youth employment in the country. “I searched a lot, but couldn’t find work. It’s about connections; unless you have strong ties, you won’t get hired. Experience also matters,” she explains.
The lack of practical career development and internship programs at universities is seen as one of the main causes of youth unemployment.
Amin, a 23-year-old graduate from the Agriculture Faculty of Kabul University, says that many young graduates find themselves directionless after graduation due to the mismatch between the education system and the job market in Afghanistan. “During my studies, we didn’t take any courses related to job searching. If we had studied a subject on career development, maybe I could have found a job by now,” he said.
Three of the interviewees shared that while they have learned theoretical aspects of entrepreneurship in university, these lessons haven’t helped improve their practical skills.
Saheba, a 22-year-old with a degree in business administration, states that due to the lack of job opportunities, she cannot apply her academic knowledge. “In university, we had a subject called entrepreneurship. We learned how to write CVs, but there are no job opportunities where we can use our knowledge,” she says.
On the other hand, some university professors believe that weaknesses in the educational system are the biggest barrier preventing young people from entering the job market.
Shahzad Aryan, a university professor, argues that the mismatch between Afghanistan’s education curriculum and the job market has led to widespread youth unemployment.
“In Afghanistan, practical teaching is often neglected, which causes graduates to face many challenges after completing their studies. Job searching and entrepreneurship should be outcomes that students take from their courses,” he explained.
Ershad Azimi, another university professor, notes, “The curriculum in many Afghan universities is outdated and doesn’t meet the needs of the job market. Many students are looking for jobs in organizations, but they end up wandering for years in search of low-level positions.”
Abdul Wafi Naibzai, a public administration and policy expert, suggests that the government can reduce unemployment by reforming the education system, coordinating with the private sector, and creating professional training programs.
“The government should create policies that lead to job creation. Every faculty should run professional programs at the end of each academic year. Annual surveys should be conducted to assess the demand for human resources, and coordination with universities should be prioritized,” he advises.
Despite these challenges, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the de-facto government, assures that the Islamic Emirate is committed to providing job opportunities for Afghan citizens, especially the youths.
“Any young person with talent, competence, and ability, regardless of the field, the Islamic Emirate is committed to creating employment opportunities for them,” he adds.
Every year, thousands of graduates from various fields emerge from Afghanistan’s public and private universities. However, due to limited job opportunities, many of these young people face unemployment and an uncertain future after graduation.
