World Food Programme Reports Afghan Daily Wage Workers Average Less Than Two Days of Work Weekly

Daily wage workers across Afghanistan are securing employment for an average of only 1.9 days per week, the World Food Programme reports. This marks a 16 percent decline from the previous year and the three-year average. Unskilled workers are experiencing these limited opportunities amid ongoing economic difficulties.

The average daily wage for such laborers stands at 309 afghanis. Despite the reduced work hours, the Afghan currency has remained stable at a rate of 64.3 afghanis per US dollar. Markets continue to report adequate supplies of goods with prices holding steady overall.

Price increases have nevertheless affected several key food items over the past year. First-grade rice has risen by 31 percent and second-grade rice by 33 percent. Wheat prices are up 12 percent, sugar has increased 17 percent, and wheat flour costs between 9 and 12 percent more. Agricultural inputs have seen substantial rises as well, with urea fertilizer jumping 57 percent and diammonium phosphate increasing by 19 percent.

The World Food Programme food basket now costs nearly 6,000 afghanis. The organization notes that more than 21 million people in Afghanistan will need humanitarian assistance this year due to these economic conditions.