Kabul (HRNW)- More than 439,000 Afghans have been deported from Iran in 2026, with the figures placing renewed pressure on Afghanistan’s housing, employment, and basic services, according to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Between January 1 and September 12, around 522,200 Afghans returned from Iran, including approximately 439,000 who were deported.
The UNHCR data indicates that deportations accounted for about 84 percent of all Afghan returns from Iran during the period. The agency has warned that large-scale returns are placing additional pressure on basic services, livelihoods, and housing in Afghanistan and increasing the risk of further instability and migration.
The latest figures follow a much larger wave of returns in 2025, when more than 1.9 million Afghans returned or were deported from Iran, including around 1.26 million deportations.
UNHCR has also reported protection concerns for Afghans returning from Iran, including undocumented people and others facing heightened risks. The agency provides assistance to certain categories of returnees and urges vulnerable individuals to seek support before or during their return.
The continuing returns are occurring amid difficult economic and humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan. Recent reporting has highlighted the challenges faced by returnees, including limited employment opportunities and pressure on already strained local services.
The figures underline the scale of migration pressure facing Afghanistan as neighboring countries continue measures affecting Afghan migrants and undocumented residents.
Support HRNW’s independent journalism and humanitarian reporting.
Donate now: www.hrnww.com/?page_id=1083
