The Life Expectancy Of Afghan Men: A Complex Reality

The life expectancy for men in Afghanistan was 65.29 years in 2021, 65.97 years in 2023, and is 66.25 years in 2024. This is a 0.43% increase from 2023. In 2021, men in Afghanistan had a lower life expectancy than women, at 58.92 years compared to 65.28 years for women. According to the latest WHO data published in 2020, men in Afghanistan have a life expectancy of 63.3 years.

The life expectancy for Afghan men in 2021 was 58.92 years

Life expectancy at birth is a metric that indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if the prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to remain the same throughout its life. In Afghanistan, the life expectancy for men has been increasing over the years, growing at an average annual rate of 1.03%. For instance, in 1972, the life expectancy for Afghan men was only 37.7 years.

The life expectancy for Afghanistan as a whole in 2021 was 61.98 years, a decrease from 62.58 years in 2020. This decrease in life expectancy can be attributed to various factors, such as conflict, poverty, lack of access to healthcare, and high infant and child mortality rates.

The low life expectancy for men in Afghanistan can be influenced by several factors, including the country's high rate of road traffic accidents, coronary heart disease, influenza, pneumonia, and congenital anomalies. Additionally, cultural and societal norms that promote gender inequality and restrict women's rights and opportunities can also play a role in the lower life expectancy for men.

Afghan households are usually large and multigenerational

Afghan culture is deeply collectivist, with the family being the most important aspect of life. Family responsibilities and interests are prioritised over personal needs, and loyalty to one's family supersedes obligations to one's tribe or ethnicity.

Afghan households are generally large and multigenerational, with three or four generations living together. In 2010, the average household size in Afghanistan was 7-8 people, usually consisting of a couple, their unmarried daughters, and their sons with their spouses and children. In some cases, extended families may live in walled compounds, with small domestic units having their own rooms but sharing a courtyard.

Upon marriage, women customarily move in with their husband's family, and adult children typically remain in the family home throughout their lives. Economic circumstances in Afghanistan make it rare for married couples to move into their own homes. The family home is usually presided over by the eldest male, who has the most authority and decision-making power, including control over finances.

Men are expected to be the primary breadwinners, often carrying the economic burden for not just their immediate family but also their parents or in-laws. Women, on the other hand, are largely responsible for domestic chores, cooking, child-rearing, and entertaining guests.

The multigenerational household structure in Afghanistan fosters close economic cooperation and a strong sense of family solidarity. It also provides practical benefits such as enhanced family bonds, improved finances, and easier access to care for family members.

Men are the main income earners and often support the entire household

Afghanistan is a collectivist society where family is the most important aspect of life. People generally prioritise family interests over their own, and loyalty to one's family supersedes any other affiliations. Family matters are kept strictly private, and community knowledge of a family's struggles can bring shame to the household.

Afghan households are generally large and multi-generational, with adult children often living with their parents or in-laws. It is rare for married couples to move out into their own homes due to economic circumstances. In 2010, the average household size was reported to be 7-8 people, including a husband, wife, their unmarried daughters, and their sons, along with their spouses and children. In extended families, three or four generations may live together in walled compounds, with each couple having their own room but sharing a courtyard.

Within the family, a traditional patriarchal hierarchy prevails, with the eldest male having the most authority and control over all family spending. Men are the main income earners and often support the entire household financially. This includes providing for their wife, children, and any parents or in-laws living with the nuclear family. Brothers and sons are also expected to contribute financially, protect the family honour, and discipline any misbehaviour.

The economic burden on men is significant, especially considering Afghanistan's economic situation. The country is one of the least developed in the world, with an unemployment rate of over 23% and about half of its population living below the poverty line. The continuous war has deterred business investors, and the country's GDP has fallen substantially since the 1980s due to disruptions in trade, transport, labour, and capital.

Agriculture is Afghanistan's most important source of employment, with 60-80% of the population working in this sector. However, it accounts for less than a third of the GDP due to insufficient irrigation, drought, lack of market access, and other structural issues. Most Afghan farmers are primarily subsistence farmers.

The average salary in Afghanistan is 2,415,911 AFN per year, with men earning an average of 2,168,706 AFN and women earning 3,841,304 AFN. However, these salaries vary based on experience, location, skills, and gender. The most paid careers are in the military, followed by customer service.

While gender roles are becoming more flexible in some progressive families or tribes, Afghan culture remains highly patriarchal, with men dominating the public sphere and women confined to the domestic realm. Women are primarily homemakers, responsible for domestic chores, cooking, raising children, and entertaining guests. They are not expected to be financially independent, as it is believed that their husband or father's earning power will support them.

The Taliban's return to power in 2021 has had a significant impact on the country's economy and gender dynamics. International development aid was temporarily suspended, and the World Bank and International Monetary Fund halted payments. The Taliban's restrictions on smuggled imports, limits on banking transactions, and UN aid have contributed to some economic stabilisation. However, the country's long-term growth prospects depend on a shift from reliance on international aid to a private sector-led economy that leverages Afghanistan's inherent strengths, particularly in agriculture and extractive sectors.

The median age in Afghanistan is 17 years

Afghanistan has one of the highest proportions of young people in the world. The median age in the country was 17 years in 2023, and 15.6 years in 2014. The median age of marriage in Afghanistan is 18, and half of the mothers in the country gave birth to their first child when they were teenagers.

The population of Afghanistan is growing at a rate of 2.33% per year. The country has a high fertility rate of 4.56 births per woman, which is pushing the population up despite negative net migration. The population is expected to continue growing until it reaches its peak of 77.03 million in 2084.

The high fertility rate and large proportion of young people in Afghanistan present challenges to achieving democracy. Without access to education and livelihood opportunities, young populations are at risk of civil conflict and have a low probability of attaining high levels of democracy. However, increasing levels of education for women can help decrease fertility rates and turn a youthful population into an advantage through what demographers call the "demographic dividend".

Efforts to improve education and health care for young people in Afghanistan have been made in recent years. The Afghan National Youth Policy, for example, outlines legislative strategies to address short-, medium-, and long-term youth issues. Additionally, USAID has been working to develop health services, with a focus on empowering women and female health workers. These efforts have contributed to a decline in maternal and child mortality rates, as well as an increase in the use of modern contraceptives and skilled birth attendants.

Afghan culture is collectivist, with family matters kept strictly private

Family is the foundation of Afghan society, and individuals are defined by their association with their families. Family matters are kept private to avoid bringing shame on the household, and individuals are incentivised to comply with social norms and expectations to maintain the honour of their families. This dynamic is particularly important in the case of women, as their behaviour reflects not only on their families but also on the male relatives responsible for overseeing their conduct.

The senior male of the family is typically responsible for protecting the family's honour and has the authority to make decisions controlling the behaviour of his female relatives. Women are expected to be modest and obedient to their fathers, brothers, and husbands, and a breach of these social expectations can bring intense shame on their families.

While family comes first, loyalty to one's tribe or ethnicity is also considered important in Afghan culture. Tribal collectivism bonds members of a tribe together, but it can also divide the Afghan community along regional lines, pitting tribes against each other. At the national level, ethnic collectivism can lead to conflict and self-destruction, as different ethnic groups compete and fight for power.

Despite these divisions, Afghans share a common culture centred around hospitality, bravery, and a long history of resistance to outside forces. Afghans are known for their hospitality, and it is customary to invite guests into one's home and provide them with food and protection. Resistance to force is also a key aspect of Afghan culture, and individuals may be judged by their community for agreeing to something under pressure.

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