The United Nations Human Settlements Programme in Afghanistan (UN-Habitat) has stated that Kabul needs better urban planning and investment to become a dynamic and prosperous settlement for millions of people.
On Tuesday, October 27, ahead of "World Cities Day," the agency posted maps on the social media platform X, showing the significant expansion of Afghanistan's capital from 2004 to 2024. This growth has largely been unplanned and lacking necessary infrastructure.
According to the UN, the rise in urbanization over the past two decades has created serious challenges for major Afghan cities, especially Kabul and Herat. These cities are grappling with pressure from rapid urbanization and the effects of climate change.
Afghanistan's urban population reached approximately 11.4 million in 2024. This number has further increased in the last two years with the forced deportation of millions of Afghan migrants from Pakistan and Iran. These returnees primarily settle in large cities.
A 2024 UN report indicated that over 27% of Afghanistan's population lives in urban areas. The main drivers of this rapid urbanization include internal migration due to rural poverty and unemployment, the return of migrants, and natural disasters such as droughts and floods.
UN-Habitat emphasizes that with appropriate support and investment in urban infrastructure—such as housing, drinking water, roads, and public services—Kabul can be transformed into a livable and viant city for all its residents.
Source: UN-Habitat
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