Afghanistan Returnees Overview - 10 Aug to 9 Oct 2025

As of 9 October 2025, an estimated 2.17 million Afghans have returned to Afghanistan this year, over 60% of whom are children. The majority (1.66 million) returned from Iran, with 919,549 of these arriving since 1 July alone. Daily arrivals have averaged 2,543 from Iran and 1,242 from Pakistan. Returns from Pakistan are expected to surge after an invalidation order of Proof of Registration (PoR) cards, which rendered the stay of 1.4 million Afghans unlawful and set a 1 September deadline for their departure, despite many needing international protection. This influx has significant economic and demographic consequences. The World Bank projects that in 2025 the returnee influx will expand Afghanistan's aggregate GDP by 4.3% but contract per capita income by 4%. While domestic revenue is rising, it is insufficient to offset declining foreign aid. The country has also lost approximately $1 billion in remittances due to the returns, reducing household purchasing power and deepening poverty. Overall, the population increased by an estimated 6% in 2025.