The International Labour Organization estimates that only 5.1% of workers in Afghanistan are women, five years after the Taliban's return to power. Female labour force participation fell to less than a third of its previous level, to 5.1% in 2026 from 16.5% in 2020. Key points and original sources are listed below.

• The International Labour Organization estimates that only 5.1% of workers in Afghanistan are women, five years after the Taliban's return to power. That's less than a third of the proportion in 2019 and 2020.S1

• Female labour force participation fell to less than a third of its previous level, to 5.1% in 2026 from 16.5% in 2020.S2