Half of Afghanistan’s population expected to live in cities by 2060, says UN

KABUL: The United Nations has recently reported that due to rapid urbanization, by 2060, half of Afghanistan’s population is expected to reside in cities. While this trend may create opportunities for development, it could also lead to serious challenges. According to the UN Human Settlements Programme, by 2060, one in every two Afghans will live in urban areas, indicating a swift and significant change in the demographic structure. The agency described this trend on X as a “rapid change in a short period,” emphasizing that it brings both risks and opportunities. The agency stated that this urban growth should lead to sustainable development, economic growth, and improved well-being for the people, rather than increasing inequality. The UN had previously warned that the urban population expansion in Afghanistan has been unprecedented; evaluations show that in 1950, only one in twenty Afghans lived in cities, but by 2022, this number had risen to one in four. This change has outpaced urban planning and administrative capabilities, leading to significant challenges, especially in cities like Kabul, which face severe water shortages. This shortage is attributed to overuse of resources. The UN warned that without effective planning and proper management, rapid urban development could lead to the proliferation of informal settlements, a shortage of housing, limited access to basic services, and increased poverty in urban areas.