Talent Wiki - Afghanistan
Your quick guide on talent and labor compliance norms in Afghanistan
Capital
Kabul
Currency
Afghan Afghani (AFN)
Languages
Pashto, Persian
Payroll Frequency
Alternate payroll schedules (Weekly, Semi-Monthly and Monthly)
GDP per Capita
$575
Employer Tax
No Contribution
Talent Overview
Afghanistan has a nominal GDP of $21.7 billion and a GDP per capita of $2024 based on purchasing power parity. Agriculture and mining are significant sources of income for most of the people of Afghanistan.
Major economic hubs:
Kabul, Kandahar, Herat, Jalalabad
Skills in demand:
Construction skills, Agriculture skills
Local Universities
The top universities in Afghanistan are as follows:
The American University of Afghanistan
Ranking
Local: 1
World: 6442
Kabul University
Ranking
Local: 2
World: 8822
Kardan University
Ranking
Local: 3
World: 10108
Herat University
Ranking
Local: 4
World: 10698
Kabul Polytechnic University
Ranking
Local: 5
World: 10921
Salary Data
Some of the top jobs and their corresponding monthly salaries are as follows:
| Job Title | Average monthly Salary (AFN) | Average Monthly Salary (USD) |
| Financial Analyst | 99,700 | 1,161.89 |
| Administrative Assistant | 41,100 | 478.97 |
| Business Project Manager | 89,200 | 1,039.53 |
| Human Resource Officer | 49,000 | 570.01 |
| Network Engineer | 73,200 | 851.50 |
Talent Sourcing Tips
Top Local Job Boards
Number of LinkedIn users
26,300
Top Recruitment Agencies
Employing in Afghanistan
Afghanistan offers excellent potential for employers as it helps establish low-cost branches to gain access to its market. Learn more about the employment laws and regulations in Afghanistan below.
Employee Contract
Pashto and Dari are the common languages in use. Dari was previously used for government communications. Now with the Taliban in power, Pashto is promoted for official usage.
Probation Period
The probationary period for employees in Afghanistan is up to three months.
Public and Provincial Holidays 2023
| Date | Name | Type |
| 15 Feb | Liberation Day | Public Holiday |
| 23 Mar | Awal Ramadan | Public Holiday |
| 21 Apr | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Public Holiday |
| 22 Apr | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Public Holiday |
| 23 Apr | Eid al-Fitr Holiday | Public Holiday |
| 28 Apr | Victory Day | Public Holiday |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Public Holiday |
| 27 Jun | Arafat Day | Public Holiday |
| 28 Jun | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Public Holiday |
| 29 Jun | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Public Holiday |
| 30 Jun | Eid al-Adha Holiday | Public Holiday |
| 28 Jul | Ashura | Public Holiday |
| 19 Aug | Independence Day | Public Holiday |
| 27 Sep | Mawleed al-Nabi | Public Holiday |
Employee Leaves
| Type of Leave | Time Period | Mandatory |
| Annual Leave | 20 days | Yes |
| Sick Leave | 3 days | Yes |
| Maternity Leave | 90 days | Yes |
Payroll
Payroll Cycle
Afghan follows alternate payroll schedules – weekly, semi-monthly, and monthly.
Minimum Wage
There is no minimum wage for a permanent worker in the private sector. However, the minimum wage for a permanent worker in the government sector is AFN 6000 per month. For a nonpermanent private sector employee, the minimum wage is 5500 AFN.
Overtime Pay
Employees who work overtime are entitled to a 25% increase in their wages for hours worked, and 50% for overtime worked on public holidays.
Bonus
13th Month Pay
There is no provision for a 13th-month salary.
Employee Benefits
- Maternity Leave
- Social Security
- Health Insurance
- Pension Fund
- Hajj Pilgrimage Leave
Taxes
Employer Payroll Tax
Employers are not expected to pay any taxes regarding their employers or their salaries.
Employee Payroll Tax
There is no statutory contribution for an employee in Afghanistan.
Employee Income Tax
For monthly income, the following tax rates are considered:
| Taxable income range (AFN) | Tax rate |
| 0 – 5000 | 0% |
| 5000 – 12500 | 2% |
| 12500 – 100,000 | 10% + AFN 150 |
| Above 100,000 | 20% + AFN 8900 |
VAT
Afghanistan follows a standard VAT rate of 10%.
Offboarding & Termination
Termination of employment may occur in the following situations:
- Mutual agreement
- Completion of a fixed-term contract
- Retirement
- Demise
- Disability affecting the performance of work
- Reduction in staff by employer
- Imprisonment
- Breach of disciplinary rules
- Refusal to work after reassignment
- Unsatisfactory probation performance
As per mutual discussion between the employer and the employee and the labor code of the country.
Severance pay in Afghanistan is mandatory and payable based on the duration of the service as follows:
- One month’s salary – Duration of service is up to one year
- Two month’s salary – Duration of service is between two to five years
- Three month’s salary – Duration of service is between five to ten years
- Four month’s salary – Duration of service is above ten years
Visa and Immigration
If a foreigner is to work in Afghanistan, the following documents are needed:
- Valid visa
- Work permit from the Ministry of Labor and social affairs, approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Health Certificate from home country and Ministry of Public Health.
- A stay permit.
