UN Warns of Unprepared Afghan Cities
The United Nations has flagged that cities in Afghanistan are unprepared to cope with rapid urbanization. The warning highlights that the resilience of cities depends on strong infrastructure and inclusive, sustainable growth strategies, which are currently lacking.
- The urban population in Afghanistan is growing at a rate of approximately 4%, which is among the highest in the region. This rapid growth is driven by insecurity in rural areas, the search for better economic and educational opportunities, and the influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees from neighboring countries. - It is projected that by 2060, 50% of Afghanistan's population will reside in cities, a significant increase from 27% in 2024. This equates to an addition of at least 320,000 new urban dwellers each year. - A significant portion of urban growth is occurring in informal settlements. In Kabul, which holds over 40% of the country's urban population, an estimated 80% of residents live in such unplanned areas with limited access to basic services like water, sanitation, and electricity. - The influx of returnees, particularly from Pakistan and Iran, is placing additional strain on urban resources. In 2025 alone, over 2.3 million people returned to Afghanistan, many without savings or housing, further pressuring already struggling host communities. - Decades of conflict and insufficient investment have led to significant infrastructure deficits in Afghan cities. This includes inadequate housing, deteriorating public health facilities, and poor road networks, which are now compounded by the recent drop in international aid and investment. - Climate change is an emerging and compounding challenge, with Afghanistan being one of the most vulnerable countries. Recurrent droughts degrade rural livelihoods, pushing more people towards cities, while urban areas themselves face increasing risks from hazards like flooding. Kabul, for example, is facing a severe water crisis, with predictions that its groundwater could be exhausted by 2030. - The lack of comprehensive urban planning and governance capacity is a major obstacle. Haphazard expansion of cities has occurred without proper environmental assessments or consideration for resource capacity, leading to issues like diminishing groundwater levels and the loss of agricultural land.
