The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Cross-border movement between Afghanistan and Iran declined by 8% during a three-month crisis period in 2026, while Afghan workers also reported falling incomes and reduced remittances, the International Organization for Migration said.
The IOM said its Displacement Tracking Matrix recorded
552,556 movements along the Afghanistan-Iran corridor between April 15 and July
14, 2026, compared with 603,342 movements during the three months from Nov. 15,
2025, to Feb. 14, 2026.
During the crisis period, the IOM recorded 389,309 movements
into Afghanistan and 163,247 departures. Outflows declined by 10%, while
inflows fell by 8%, according to the report.
Work remained the main reason for Afghan movement along the
corridor during both periods, underscoring Iran's role as a key labor market
and source of remittances for Afghan households, the IOM said.
However, the economic benefits of working in Iran appeared
to weaken during the crisis period. The average reported income among surveyed
Afghans entering Afghanistan fell from $191 to $139, while the proportion
sending remittances declined from 51% to 45%.
Only 29% of surveyed returnees reported having savings
during the crisis period. Among those who sent money home, 79% said remittances
were their families' main source of income.
The IOM warned that falling earnings and reduced remittances
could increase pressure on Afghan households that depend on income from Iran to
meet basic needs or manage existing debts.
The organization also said additional returns could place
further strain on Afghan communities already struggling to absorb returnees,
where challenges related to employment, income, shelter, documentation and
access to services persist.
