Feature: Afghan youths join massive migration to Europe to seek better future

More and more Afghan youths, including those with proper education but could not find a decent job in Afghanistan, have decided to join the massive migration to Europe.

"I am a graduate of Kabul University where I finished law, but since my graduation, I was unable to find a permanent job with regular income. Thus, I have decided try my luck in Europe with hope that I can find a better life there," Ahmad Shah, 26, told Xinhua.

Ahmad said that although the journey to Europe is quite risky, he said he had no choice. "If I stay in Afghanistan where there is continuous threat of violence, my future is dim," Ahmad said.

More than 5 million Afghans are already living abroad as refugees, majority of them in the neighboring states of Pakistan and Iran, to escape from militancy, protracted conflict and poverty in their home country.

The influx of asylum seekers from the conflict-ridden Syria and Iraq to Europe has encouraged the war-weary Afghans, especially the jobless ones, to join the exodus toward European countries.

In their trip to Europe, most Afghans would have to pass through Iran, Pakistan and Turkey.

Some Afghans have become victims of human traffickers and not a few have died during the long journey to Europe.

"I am not alone. We are a group of more than three dozen young Afghans that include university graduates like me," Ahmad said.

He said that their group would leave Kabul for the western Nimroz province by bus probably Monday and then proceed to Iran and from Iran to Turkey onward to Greece.

From Greece, Ahmad said, they would proceed to Germany, their final destination. Like most of his compatriots, Ahmad has been encouraged by the recent announcement of German Chancellor Angela Merkel that Germany would welcome asylum seekers from other countries although Merkel has specifically identified Syrian refugees as their priority.

Ahmad told Xinhua that he and other members of his group have to pay a huge sum for the trip. He said he had already paid 5,000 U.S. dollars in advance to the trafficker and would pay the remaining 5,000 U.S. dollars after reaching Germany.

Ahmad Shah, who was married two years ago and is living with his parents along with his wife and two kids, is fluent in English and German.

"Since European countries value human rights and respect educated people, I am sure that I will find a good job in Germany where I intend to settle down with my family," Ahmad said.

Amir, 30 years old and a father of two, is another Afghan who wants to leave for abroad. He said he has already applied for a visa for Iran where he intends to work.

According to officials, 36 percent of Afghanistan's population of 30 million live under the poverty line. The ongoing threat from militant groups has contributed to poverty and unemployment in the country.

There are no official figures on the unemployment rate in Afghanistan, but according to Basir Nuri, an official of the National Union of Afghanistan Workers, it is believed that some 5 million Afghans are unemployed.

Two thirds of Afghanistan's population, Nuri said, are people aged 25 years or younger, which could be harnessed for the country 's development if jobs are available to them.

Nuri lamented that the exodus of Afghan youths to Europe is a big "brain drain" for the country. "But we cannot blame them because of the high jobless rate in the country and the unabated security incidents," Nuri said.

According to Nuri, because the government failed to create job opportunities for its citizens and stabilize security in the country, Afghans have been forced to sell their properties and leave for Europe.

"The soft stance adopted by European countries towards refugees and warm welcome accorded by German and Austrian people towards asylum seekers have encouraged Afghans to leave for Europe," Nuri said.

He said that around 13,000 Afghans leave daily for Europe to escape security problems and economic hardship in their homeland. Endi