{"id":30256,"date":"2026-07-11T06:48:44","date_gmt":"2026-07-11T06:48:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/?p=30256"},"modified":"2026-07-11T07:22:20","modified_gmt":"2026-07-11T07:22:20","slug":"salam-watandars-survey-on-the-employment-status-of-university-graduates-in-afghanistan-2022-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/2026\/07\/salam-watandars-survey-on-the-employment-status-of-university-graduates-in-afghanistan-2022-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Salam Watandar\u2019s survey on the employment status of university graduates in Afghanistan (2022\u20132025)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Section 1: Theoretical and conceptual framework<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Abstract<\/strong><\/p>\n

This study was conducted to examine the employment status of university graduates over the past four years (2022\u20132025). Of the 1,509 survey participants, 65.9% were unemployed, indicating that nearly 7 out of every 10 youth were without a job. The participants identified a lack of employment opportunities, insufficient work experience, low salaries, and unfamiliarity with job-search strategies as the main causes of unemployment.<\/p>\n

The findings also show that more than 79% of unemployed youth have remained jobless for periods ranging from two to over three years. In contrast, 34.1% of respondents are employed; however, among them, more than 65% are engaged in occupations that are either entirely unrelated to their field of study or only partially aligned with their academic fields.<\/p>\n

Keywords:<\/strong> employment status, university graduates, Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

Problem statement<\/strong><\/p>\n

Young university graduates constitute one of the most important components of a country’s human capital, and their level of employment is widely regarded as a key indicator of economic, social, and human development. Higher education can effectively contribute to development only when university graduates are able to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in the labor market and gain access to suitable employment opportunities.<\/p>\n

In recent years, Afghanistan has experienced significant political, economic, and social changes that have directly affected the labor market and employment opportunities, particularly for young graduates. The decline in employment opportunities, limited activities in the economic sector, migration of skilled professionals, and increasing competition for limited job opportunities are among the major challenges faced by university graduates.<\/p>\n

Alongside these factors, a question arises regarding the extent to which higher education prepares graduates for successful entry into the labor market. The growing number of university graduates in recent years, along with the limited absorptive capacity of the labor market, has raised concerns about employment rates, job quality, the alignment between academic qualifications and employment, and the duration of unemployment following graduation.<\/p>\n

Despite the importance of this issue, comprehensive, field-based, and up-to-date information on the employment status of university graduates in Afghanistan following the 2021 changes remains limited. Thus, there is no clear picture of graduates\u2019 employment and unemployment rates, the types of jobs they hold, their level of job satisfaction, or the main barriers they encounter in accessing the labor market.<\/p>\n

Therefore, this survey, using data collected from 1,509 university graduates of public and private universities across 25 provinces, seeks to examine the employment and unemployment status of young university graduates during the period 2022\u20132025 and to identify the challenges and opportunities that exist in their entry into the labor market.<\/p>\n

Research background<\/strong><\/p>\n

Up to now, no comprehensive and independent study has examined the employment status of university graduates in Afghanistan during the period 2022\u20132025. Nevertheless, several international organizations have published reports and statistics that provide useful background for this study.<\/p>\n

The International Labour Organization (ILO), through its model-based estimates, has published statistics on youth unemployment in Afghanistan. According to these estimates, the unemployment rate among individuals aged 15\u201324 reached 17.54% in 2022, representing the highest level recorded since 1991 (ILO\/World Bank, 2025). This rate declined slightly to 17.29% in 2023, to 16.69% in 2024, and to 16.78% in 2025. It is worth noting that the ILO\u2019s official figures are calculated according to the international standard definition of unemployment and therefore include only individuals who are without a job.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, in its *Afghanistan Development Update* published in April 2025, the World Bank reported that approximately one in every four Afghan youths aged 15\u201329 was unemployed and that many employed individuals were engaged in low-productivity and informal jobs that did not correspond to their educational qualifications (World Bank, 2025a). The report further warns that an additional 1.7 million youths are expected to enter Afghanistan\u2019s already saturated labor market by 2030.<\/p>\n

The World Bank\u2019s December 2025 report also highlights the return of more than two million migrants from Iran and Pakistan. While demand has increased in certain sectors of the economy, this has also placed additional pressure on Afghanistan\u2019s labor market.<\/p>\n

Theoretical framework<\/strong><\/p>\n

This study is based on three major theoretical perspectives within the fields of labor economics and social sciences.<\/p>\n

a) Human capital theory<\/strong><\/p>\n

Human Capital Theory is based on the principle that education is a form of investment in human capital that generates returns in the form of higher productivity, sustainable employment, and increased earnings. According to this theory, higher levels of education are associated with greater employment opportunities and higher income levels.<\/p>\n

b) Segmented labor market theory<\/strong><\/p>\n

Segmented Labor Market Theory divides the labor market into two main sectors. The formal sector is characterized by employment stability, adequate wages, job security, and legal and social protections. In contrast, the informal sector is characterized by employment instability, low and irregular income, and the absence of legal and social protections.<\/p>\n

c) Social vulnerability approach<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Social Vulnerability Approach views unemployment as a multidimensional phenomenon that affects not only an individual’s income but also their psychological well-being, social relationships, cultural participation, and personal identity. Prolonged unemployment, particularly among educated youth, may lead to feelings of purposelessness, depression, social exclusion, and reduced self-confidence.<\/p>\n

Research objectives<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. To examine the employment status of university graduates in Afghanistan over the past four years.<\/li>\n
  2. To assess the levels of employment and unemployment among university graduates during the period 2022\u20132025.<\/li>\n
  3. To identify the major challenges faced by university graduates in accessing suitable employment opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
      \n
    1. To provide evidence-based recommendations for improving the employment status of young university graduates.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Research questions<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. What has been the employment status of young university graduates in Afghanistan over the past four years?<\/li>\n
      2. To what extent were young university graduates employed or unemployed during the period 2022\u20132025?<\/li>\n
      3. What are the main challenges faced by university graduates in securing suitable employment?<\/li>\n
      4. What measures can be taken to improve the employment status of young university graduates?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Research hypothesis<\/strong><\/p>\n

        The study hypothesizes that the academic content of universities in Afghanistan is not adequately aligned with the real needs of the labor market.<\/p>\n

        Methodology<\/strong><\/p>\n

        This study is a quantitative, descriptive-analytical study conducted using a survey research method.<\/p>\n

        Study population<\/strong><\/p>\n

        The study population consisted of young graduates from public and private universities in Afghanistan during the years 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. However, female graduates were included only up to 20 December 2022, when, under a directive issued by the leadership of the Islamic Emirate, female students were halted from attending higher education institutions until further notice.<\/p>\n

        The study population included individuals aged 15 to over 35 years, and participants were selected from 25 provinces across Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

        Sampling method and sample size<\/strong><\/p>\n

        Given the absence of an accurate sampling frame (i.e., the lack of access to a complete list of university graduates), a stratified cluster sampling method was used. The questionnaire was distributed through social media platforms, university networks, and local communication channels.<\/p>\n

        The final sample consisted of 1,509 university graduates from 25 provinces across Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

        Data analysis method and tools<\/strong><\/p>\n

        In this study, SPSS software was used in the first step to code the collected data according to the structure of the questionnaire. Then, the coded data were entered into SPSS. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical methods (frequencies, percentages, and average). The findings were also analyzed, presented and described in tables and charts.<\/p>\n

        Limitations of the study<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Lack of access to complete statistical data and lists of university graduates in provinces and remote areas.<\/li>\n
        • Lack of trust among some youth in research and media institutions.<\/li>\n
        • Self-censorship by certain respondents due to social pressures.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Section 2: Data analysis<\/strong><\/h4>\n

          Demographic characteristics of respondents<\/strong><\/p>\n

          In terms of gender distribution, the respondents consisted of 60.6% males and 39.4% females.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          In terms of age groups, 46.2% of respondents were in the 25\u201329 age group, 31.4% were aged 20\u201324, 18.6% were in the 30\u201334 age group, and 3.8% were above 35 years of age.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Kabul accounted for the highest number of participants (15.7%), while Paktia had the lowest participation rate (0.5%) among the 25 provinces included in the study.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          In the survey, 78.9% of respondents lived in urban areas, while 21.1% lived in rural areas.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Regarding the year of graduation, 54.4% of respondents graduated in 2022, 21.9% in 2023, 15% in 2024, and 8.7% in 2025.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          In terms of level of education, 71.6% of respondents held a bachelor\u2019s degree, 19.2% had completed 14th grade, and 9.2% held a master\u2019s degree.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          In terms of university type, 65.3% of respondents were graduates of public universities, while 34.7% were graduates of private universities.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Regarding field of study, 50.1% of respondents were from the social sciences, while 49.9% were from the natural sciences.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Regarding preparedness for the labor market, 59.7% of respondents stated that their university studies had prepared them for entry into the job market, whereas 40.3% responded negatively.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/p>\n

          Out of the total 1,509 respondents, 65.9% were unemployed and 34.1% were employed, indicating a high level of unemployment among university graduates.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          General employment status among university graduates over the last four years<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Out of every 10 university graduates, 7 are unemployed.<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Out of 1,509 university graduates from public and private universities across 25 provinces included in this study, 65.9% (994 individuals) were unemployed, while 34.1% (515 individuals) were employed. This indicates that nearly seven out of every ten graduates are unemployed.<\/p>\n

          20.2% of respondents have said being unemployed for a period of six months to one year. The largest proportion, 56%, stated that they had been unemployed for two to three years. Finally, 23.8% of the surveyed individuals had remained unemployed for more than three years.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Regarding familiarity with CV writing and job search skills, 49.2% of respondents reported being familiar with CV writing, while 41.4% stated that they had partial familiarity. In contrast, 9.4% reported having no familiarity with CV writing and job application procedures.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          In terms of employment preferences, 45.1% of respondents expressed a desire to work in international organizations or non-governmental organizations (NGOs), while 23.7% preferred private-sector employment. Additionally, 18.6% indicated a preference for governmental jobs, and 12.6% selected freelance or establishing their own business as their preferred option.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Regarding the psychological impact of unemployment, 77.7% of respondents reported a very strong negative effect on their mental well-being, while 18.4% reported a lot of impact. In contrast, 3% reported a little impact, and only 0.9% stated that unemployment had no effect on their psychological condition.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Regarding the main challenges of unemployment, 65.3% of respondents identified economic and financial pressure as the most significant factor affecting their situation, while 31.2% considered psychological stress and anxiety to be the primary challenge. In addition, 3.5% reported a decline in social relationships as the main difficulty during this period.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Examination of employment status, income, and job satisfaction among university graduates (2022\u20132025)<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Out of the 1,509 participants in this study, 515 individuals (34.1% of the total sample) succeeded in finding jobs. However, 65.5% of these employed respondents were working in jobs that were either completely or partially unrelated to their field of study. In addition, 71.7% of employed graduates reported low or no job satisfaction. Furthermore, 35.5% of respondents stated that they had waited between one and two years to obtain a suitable job.<\/p>\n

          Regarding employment sectors, 45.6% of respondents were employed in the private sector, representing the largest share. This was followed by 24.1% working in the government sector, 16.3% employed in international organizations\/NGOs, and 14% engaged in freelance activities.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Regarding the duration required to enter the labor market, 38.1% of respondents reported obtaining their first job in less than six months. In addition, 26.4% obtained employment within six months to one year, 20.4% within one to two years, and 15.1% after more than two years.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          84.7% of respondents reported that they obtained their jobs through job portals, competitive examinations, or direct applications to employers. In contrast, 15.3% stated that they secured employment through personal connections or referrals.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Regarding the relationship between field of study and current employment, 34.5% of respondents reported working in jobs related to their academic field, while 44.3% stated that their jobs were partially related to their field of study. In contrast, 21.2% indicated that they were employed in positions completely unrelated to their field of study.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Regarding monthly salary or income, 37.6% of respondents reported earning between 6,000 and 10,000 Afghanis per month. In addition, 27.8% earned approximately 10,000 to 20,000 Afghanis, while 22.9% had a monthly income ranging from 2,000 to 5,000 Afghanis. Furthermore, 8% received between 20,000 and 40,000 Afghanis, and only 3.7% reported earning more than 40,000 Afghanis per month.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          65.9% of respondents reported low job satisfaction, while 28.3% reported being very satisfied. In contrast, 5.8% stated that they had no job satisfaction.<\/p>\n

          \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

          This study aimed to examine the employment situation of university graduates in Afghanistan during the period 2022\u20132025, based on data collected from 1,509 respondents across 25 provinces. The findings indicate that graduate employment is facing serious challenges, with an unemployment rate of 65.9%, while only 34.1% of respondents have successfully entered the labor market. This reflects a significant gap between the supply of educated human capital and the labor market\u2019s capacity to absorb it.<\/p>\n

          The results also show that a substantial proportion of unemployment is long-term in nature. More than half of the unemployed respondents reported being without work for two to three years, while a considerable share had remained unemployed for more than three years. This pattern highlights limited job opportunities and a slow absorption process for graduates within Afghanistan\u2019s labor market structure.<\/p>\n

          In terms of employment quality, a clear mismatch between fields of study and job types was observed. A large proportion of employed graduates work in positions that are either completely unrelated or only partially related to their academic background. This situation not only reduces labor productivity but also contributes to low job satisfaction among graduates, with most employed respondents reporting limited satisfaction with their working conditions.<\/p>\n

          On the other hand, the findings identify key factors contributing to unemployment, including a lack of job opportunities, insufficient work experience, weak job-search skills, and constrained economic conditions.<\/p>\n

          Overall, the results demonstrate that Afghanistan\u2019s labor market during the study period has not had sufficient capacity to effectively absorb university graduates. This situation underscores the need for substantial policy reform in higher education, strengthening practical skills development, and establishing stronger linkages between higher education institutions and the actual demands of the labor market.<\/p>\n

          Practical recommendations<\/strong><\/p>\n

          1.Revision of university curricula<\/strong>
          \nAlthough 59.7% of graduates believe that their university education prepared them for the labor market, 65.5% of employed respondents are working in positions that are completely or partially unrelated to their field of study. This indicates a clear gap between academic content and actual labor market demands.<\/p>\n

          Recommendations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Revision of curricula in accordance with labor market needs.<\/li>\n
          • Increasing practical and skills-based courses.<\/li>\n
          • Making internships compulsory in the final year of study.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            2.Establishment of career service centers in universities<\/strong>
            \nMore than half of the graduates reported being unemployed for two to three years, while nearly one-quarter had remained unemployed for more than three years.<\/p>\n

            Recommendations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • Establishment of \u201cCareer Guidance Offices\u201d in all universities.<\/li>\n
            • Training in CV writing, job interview skills, and job search strategies.<\/li>\n
            • Organizing employment fairs and job exhibitions.<\/li>\n
            • Creating a comprehensive database of graduates and available job opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              3.Development of digital skills and foreign languages<\/strong>
              \nThe preference of 45.1% of respondents to work in international organizations indicates that many graduates are interested in more competitive job opportunities. However, such positions generally require higher levels of language proficiency and advanced digital skills.<\/p>\n

              Recommendations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                \n
              • Professional training in English language.<\/li>\n
              • Training in computer skills, data analysis, project management, and artificial intelligence.<\/li>\n
              • Issuance of accredited skill certificates alongside university degrees.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                4.Strengthening entrepreneurship and small businesses<\/strong>
                \nOnly 12.6% of respondents reported freelance or establishing their own business as their preferred option. This relatively low figure indicates a weak entrepreneurial culture among university graduates.<\/p>\n

                Recommendations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  \n
                • Establishment of business development centers and startup accelerators within universities.<\/li>\n
                • Providing training in financial management and entrepreneurship.<\/li>\n
                • Offering small and low-interest loans for graduates.<\/li>\n
                • Supporting start-ups, particularly in the fields of technology and services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  5.Focus on rural employment<\/strong><\/p>\n

                  More than 78% of respondents were from urban areas, indicating that educational and employment opportunities in rural regions are significantly more limited.<\/p>\n

                  Recommendations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • Development of agricultural projects, small industries, and local service sectors in rural areas.<\/li>\n
                  • Expansion of internet access and digital infrastructure.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    6.Establishment of a structured labor market monitoring system<\/strong><\/p>\n

                    In Afghanistan, systematic and annual data on the situation of university graduates remains highly limited.<\/p>\n

                    Recommendations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • Establishment of a national graduate tracking system.<\/li>\n
                    • Publication of annual reports on graduate employment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
                        \n
                      • Forecasting future labor market needs to guide university fields of study.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                        Section 1: Theoretical and conceptual framework Abstract This study was conducted to examine the employment status of university graduates over the past four years (2022\u20132025). Of the 1,509 survey participants, 65.9% were unemployed, indicating that nearly 7 out of every 10 youth were without a job. The participants identified a lack of employment opportunities, insufficient […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":30262,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[985,9,186,7],"tags":[12,1250,1409,2002,2003],"class_list":["post-30256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-special-coverage","category-soceity","category-investigative-reports","category-headline","tag-afghanistan","tag-survey","tag-salam-watandars-survey","tag-employment-status","tag-university-graduates"],"views":10,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30256"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30256\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30288,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30256\/revisions\/30288"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swn.af\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}