By: Fida Mohammad Zwan
Unemployment’s Toll The plight of unemployment, the state of being without work despite seeking it, afflicts many in Afghanistan. This research segment delves into the hardships faced by the unemployed in a country marred by its prevalence.
Victims of Unemployment The mind, the unseen ruler of the body, succumbs to the strains of unemployment, plunging individuals into despair. For nearly three years, I reveled in various jobs, relishing camaraderie with colleagues. However, fifteen days ago, my employment ceased, leaving me adrift in a sea of uncertainty. Despite possessing skills superior to many, the realization dawned upon me—unemployment exerts a formidable grip on the psyche. While joblessness proves arduous for the unskilled, those abundantly endowed with skills find themselves ensnared in a more profound plight. Psychologists attest that the unemployed talented individuals endure greater anguish than their less proficient counterparts.
Here, we explore the repercussions of unemployment, particularly among youth and those reliant on their skills for sustenance.
- Financial Hardship: The absence of a steady income renders individuals incapable of meeting even their most basic needs, plunging them into destitution.
- Social Stigma and Psychological Strain: A faltering economy breeds social ostracization, fueling feelings of inadequacy and psychological distress among the unemployed.
- Widening Inequality: Economic disparities exacerbate social unrest, fostering discontent among the populace.
- Brain Drain: The exodus of skilled professionals to foreign lands stymies the country’s progress, leaving a void in its workforce.
Continued… 7. Social Unrest: History attests to the peril of discontentment stemming from unemployment, which can manifest in protests and criminal activities, posing a threat to societal stability.
- Economic Strain: Governments shoulder the burden of unemployment relief efforts, straining national coffers.
- Unemployment’s Ravages: Like a worm gnawing at a tree’s roots, unemployment erodes individuals’ skills and enthusiasm, undercutting their potential.
- Familial Strain: The ripple effects of unemployment extend to families, breeding discontent and straining relationships.
- Unemployment’s Impoverishing Grip: The erosion of income perpetuates poverty, exacerbating economic woes.
- Fueling Deflation: Unemployment precipitates a decline in demand, triggering a downward spiral in prices and economic activity.
These challenges, ubiquitous in economically prosperous nations, loom larger in developing countries like Afghanistan. Here, unemployment assumes various forms, each presenting unique challenges.
Frictional Unemployment: Occurring in stable economies, this type arises from voluntary job transitions, albeit with detrimental effects on individuals and society. Cyclical Unemployment: Tied to economic cycles, this form fluctuates with market conditions, wreaking havoc on livelihoods. Structural Unemployment: Prolonged shifts in the economy create a mismatch between job seekers’ skills and employers’ needs, compounding the crisis.
In Afghanistan, structural unemployment predominates, exacerbated by historical upheavals and economic instability. The cyclical nature of governance exacerbates the situation, perpetuating uncertainty and turmoil.
As the nation grapples with these challenges, fostering opportunities for all its citizens remains paramount. Only then can Afghanistan emerge as a beacon of hope, where no individual feels compelled to seek livelihoods abroad.
Prepared by: Fida Mohammad Zwan, Economics Student, Mirwais Khan Nika University, Zabul A fervent wish for a prosperous Afghanistan, where opportunities abound for every citizen, eliminating the need for emigration in pursuit of livelihoods.
