UN Warns Afghanistan Losing Millions as Girls’ Education Restrictions Persist

UN and UNICEF warn that restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan could cost millions, deepen workforce shortages, and harm health and education systems.

Afghanistan faces mounting economic losses and social strain as continued restrictions on girls’ education deprive millions of schooling and weaken key sectors nationwide.

The United Nations has warned that ongoing restrictions on girls’ education in Afghanistan are inflicting significant economic damage, with losses estimated at around 84 million dollars annually. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, citing a recent UNICEF analysis, said the continued exclusion of girls from schools is undermining the country’s long-term development and stability.

According to the analysis, at least one million girls are currently deprived of their right to education in Afghanistan, a country that already had one of the lowest female literacy rates globally. The UN further warned that if restrictions persist until 2030, more than two million girls could be denied education beyond primary level, deepening inequality and limiting future opportunities.

The crisis has intensified since the return of Taliban rule in 2021, when secondary education for girls was largely suspended and strict limitations were imposed on women’s employment. Despite repeated international calls to reopen schools for girls, the policies remain in place, drawing widespread criticism from global organizations and human rights groups.

UNICEF has also cautioned that the continued exclusion of girls from education and women from the workforce could create severe structural shortages. By 2030, Afghanistan may face a deficit of more than 25,000 female teachers and health workers, sectors that rely heavily on women to function effectively in the country’s cultural context.

A recent UNICEF report projected that up to 20,000 teachers and around 5,400 female health workers could leave their professions, placing additional strain on already fragile systems. This trend not only reduces the existing skilled workforce but also blocks the entry of a new generation of educated women into the labor market.

The impact is already visible in the education sector, where the number of female teachers declined from approximately 72,963 in 2022 to around 66,208 in 2024, despite sustained demand for schooling. The shortage disproportionately affects girls, as the presence of female teachers is often essential for their continued education.

In the health sector, access to services—especially for women—is expected to deteriorate further. Cultural and social restrictions in many parts of Afghanistan limit women’s ability to seek care from male health workers, making female doctors, nurses, and midwives critical to delivering maternal and child healthcare.

UNICEF warned that the decline in female health professionals could reduce access to essential services and lead to long-term consequences for public health. Without urgent action to restore girls’ education and women’s participation in the workforce, Afghanistan risks deepening its humanitarian crisis and weakening its prospects for sustainable recovery.

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