Findings by Salam Watandar, based on interviews with 13 young people who both work and study, show that working while studying is less a professional choice and more an economic necessity. All the young people interviewed in this report said that, without working, they would not be able to continue their education. Experts believe that, if properly managed, this situation can strengthen young people’s professional skills and human capital.
Obaidullah Shahbaz, an economics student from Kabul, says that young people in Afghanistan are compelled to work in order to continue their education. He says,
“If you are unemployed, you cannot study; and if you want to study, sometimes you cannot work. When you can’t earn money, it becomes a major reason for falling behind in your studies. Our future in Afghanistan is uncertain. No one can predict what will happen tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. We hope for a better future.”
Noorziya Bahadori, a 23-year-old student who holds a bachelor’s degree, says that while working as a midwife at a clinic in Panjshir province, she is also pursuing her master’s degree through online classes. She says,
“I cover my personal expenses and educational costs through my work at the clinic. Sometimes we face financial problems in meeting basic living and educational needs, but with effort I continued. Besides studying, I work; my income is limited and is mostly spent on daily expenses and education, but it helps me continue my studies.”
Meanwhile, four of these young people say they are responsible for supporting their families financially and must work under any circumstances. However, they continue studying alongside their jobs to build a better future.
Mohammad Zia Anwari, 24-year-old from Ghazni, says that he works while studying and that this experience is a valuable opportunity for him, more than just a simple responsibility.
“I cover my personal expenses through teaching and also spend that money on my school. Alongside my studies, I work and teach English and Chinese both online and in person, and to some extent I can also help my family. Sometimes, when I am at home, I can support them. The experience of studying and working at the same time has been very good.”
Abdulwahed Nazari, 22-year-old from Laghman and a journalism student, says managing work and study simultaneously is challenging but not impossible. He says,
“For a student who studies and works at the same time, managing both is very difficult. In my opinion, discipline and management can help use time better and make a person more responsible. Fortunately, I have not yet been forced to drop out of my studies, but sometimes I worry about covering financial expenses such as room rent, my living costs in Kabul, and university fees.”
However, some university professors warn that if work is given priority, the quality of education will suffer. Hekmatullah Mirzada, a university professor, says that when a student is active in two fields at the same time, prioritizing work over education can negatively affect their studies.
“A student is psychologically placed in two arenas: one is the field of work and the other is the field of education. Certainly, prioritizing between the two can be difficult. Afghan society is a poor society, and the priorities of young people are more economy-centered. Therefore, over time the field of education may become colder and emptier, and the studies of working youth may decline in quality and be damaged,” he says.
In contrast, some economic experts emphasize the positive aspects of this phenomenon. Shaker Yaqubi, an economic analyst, says individuals who gain both theoretical and practical knowledge build better capital.
“Studying alone without practical experience can sometimes widen the gap between university and the labor market. In contrast, working while studying—if balanced—helps individuals learn soft skills such as responsibility, time management, and professional communication. Someone who has both theoretical knowledge and practical experience will certainly build stronger human capital and be more competitive in the job market.” he says.
From Mohammadullah Baloch’s perspective, a psychologist, young people who work and study at the same time often have strong motivation and career foresight. He explains,
“Youth who both work and study are usually individuals with charismatic or highly active personalities. They think about both their career future and their academic future. They also have psychological motivation within themselves to serve their family and their country.”
A stable economy can pave the way for student success, because when students are free from economic hardship, they can focus better on their education. However, according to United Nations reports from late 2025 and early 2026, poverty in Afghanistan has worsened, with more than 64% of the population facing multidimensional poverty—a factor that significantly affects opportunities and students’ ability to concentrate on their studies.
Reporter: Sharifa Qasemi
