{"name": "Afghanistan", "code": "AF", "publish_date": "December 26, 2018", "html": "<div class='wfb-text-box'><div class=\"region1 geos_title sas_dark\"><strong>South Asia ::Afghanistan</strong></div><ul class='expandcollapse'><li id='introduction-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Introduction'ccode='af'>Introduction ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='introduction-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-introduction-background\">Background:</div><div id=\"field-background\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian Empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 communist countercoup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-communist mujahidin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks, a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Usama BIN LADIN.</p><p>A UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan, and the National Assembly was inaugurated the following December. KARZAI was reelected in August 2009 for a second term. The 2014 presidential election was the country's first to include a runoff, which featured the top two vote-getters from the first round, Abdullah ABDULLAH and Ashraf GHANI. Throughout the summer of 2014, their campaigns disputed the results and traded accusations of fraud, leading to a US-led diplomatic intervention that included a full vote audit as well as political negotiations between the two camps. In September 2014, GHANI and ABDULLAH agreed to form the Government of National Unity, with GHANI inaugurated as president and ABDULLAH elevated to the newly-created position of chief executive officer. The day after the inauguration, the GHANI administration signed the US-Afghan Bilateral Security Agreement and NATO Status of Forces Agreement, which provide the legal basis for the post-2014 international military presence in Afghanistan.</p><p>Despite gains toward building a stable central government, the Taliban remains a serious challenge for the Afghan Government in almost every province. The Taliban still considers itself the rightful government of Afghanistan, and it remains a capable and confident insurgent force despite its last two spiritual leaders being killed; it continues to declare that it will pursue a peace deal with Kabul only after foreign military forces depart.</p></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><b>AFGHANISTAN SUMMARY:</b><a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; vertical-align: middle\" target=\"_blank\" aria-hidden=\"true\" href=\"/attachments/docs/original/AF_general_one_pager.pdf?1538702946\"><img style=\"height:22px;opacity:.5\" src=\"/images/adobe.png\" alt=\"Adobe\" /></a><a style=\"display: inline-block; margin-left: 5px; vertical-align: middle\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"sr-only\" href=\"/attachments/docs/original/AF_general_one_pager.pdf?1538702946\">PDF</a></div></div></li><li id='geography-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Geography'ccode='af'>Geography ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='geography-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-location\">Location:</div><div id=\"field-location\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geographic-coordinates\">Geographic coordinates:</div><div id=\"field-geographic-coordinates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>33 00 N, 65 00 E</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-map-references\">Map references:</div><div id=\"field-map-references\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Asia</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area\">Area:</div><div id=\"field-area\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">652,230 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">652,230 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">water:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>42</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-area-comparative\">Area - comparative:</div><div id=\"field-area-comparative\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>almost six times the size of Virginia; slightly smaller than Texas</div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><span class=\"subfield-name\">Area comparison map:</span><a data-toggle=\"modal\" href=\"#imageModal3540\" class='category_image_link'><img alt=\"Area comparison map\" src=\"/attachments/images/thumb/AF_area.jpg?1538604813\" /></a><div class=\"modal fade cntryModal\" id=\"imageModal3540\" role=\"dialog\" aria-label='modal dialog used to display image(s) associated with a field' aria-labelledby='imageModalLabel'><div class=\"wfb-modal-dialog\"><div class=\"modal-content\"><div class=\"wfb-modal-header\">	<span class=\"modal-title wfb-title\">The World Factbook</span><span class='sr-only' id='imageModalLabel'>Field Image Modal</span>	<span style=\"float: right; margin-top: -4px;\">	<button type=\"button\" class=\"close\" title=\"close\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">×</button>	</span></div><div class=\"wfb-modal-body\">	<div class=\"region1 geos_title sas_dark\"> 	South Asia <strong>::</strong>	<span class=\"region_name1 countryName\">Afghanistan</span><span class=\"btn-print\"><a href=\"/attachments/images/large/AF_area.jpg?1538604813\"><i class=\"fa fa-print\" aria-hidden='true'></i><span class='sr-only'>Print</span></a></span>	</div>	<div class=\"sas_bkgrnd\">	<div class=\"modalImageBox\">	<img class=\"sas_lgflagborder\"		 src=\"/attachments/images/large/AF_area.jpg?1538604813\" alt=\"Area comparison map\">	</div>	<div class=\"modalImageDesc\">	<div class=\"header\"		 style=\"background-image: url(/images/sas_medium.jpg)\">	Image Description	</div>	<div class=\"photogallery_captiontext\">	<p>almost six times the size of Virginia; slightly smaller than Texas</p>	</div>	</div>	</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-boundaries\">Land boundaries:</div><div id=\"field-land-boundaries\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5,987 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">border countries (6):</span>China 91 km, Iran 921 km, Pakistan 2670 km, Tajikistan 1357 km, Turkmenistan 804 km, Uzbekistan 144 km</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-coastline\">Coastline:</div><div id=\"field-coastline\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(landlocked)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-maritime-claims\">Maritime claims:</div><div id=\"field-maritime-claims\"><div class=\"category_data note\">none (landlocked)</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-climate\">Climate:</div><div id=\"field-climate\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-terrain\">Terrain:</div><div id=\"field-terrain\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-elevation\">Elevation:</div><div id=\"field-elevation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">mean elevation:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,884 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elevation extremes:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">258 m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">lowest point: Amu Darya</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\">7492 highest point: Noshak</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-resources\">Natural resources:</div><div id=\"field-natural-resources\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones, arable land</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-land-use\">Land use:</div><div id=\"field-land-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agricultural land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">58.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">arable land:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent crops:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.37%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span>/<span class=\"subfield-name\">permanent pasture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">79%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">forest:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.07%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">other:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">39.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-irrigated-land\">Irrigated land:</div><div id=\"field-irrigated-land\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">32,080 sq km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>populations tend to cluster in the foothills and periphery of the rugged Hindu Kush range; smaller groups are found in many of the country's interior valleys; in general, the east is more densely settled, while the south is sparsely populated</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-natural-hazards\">Natural hazards:</div><div id=\"field-natural-hazards\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-current-issues\">Environment - current issues:</div><div id=\"field-environment-current-issues\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>limited natural freshwater resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution in overcrowded urban areas</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-environment-international-agreements\">Environment - international agreements:</div><div id=\"field-environment-international-agreements\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">party to:</span>Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">signed, but not ratified:</span>Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-geography-geography-note\">Geography - note:</div><div id=\"field-geography-note\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)</div></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='People and Society'ccode='af'>People and Society ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='people-and-society-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population\">Population:</div><div id=\"field-population\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">34,940,837</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2018\">(July 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>39</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-nationality\">Nationality:</div><div id=\"field-nationality\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">noun:</span>Afghan(s)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">adjective:</span>Afghan</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-ethnic-groups\">Ethnic groups:</div><div id=\"field-ethnic-groups\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, other (includes smaller numbers of Baloch, Turkmen, Nuristani, Pamiri, Arab, Gujar, Brahui, Qizilbash, Aimaq, Pashai, and Kyrghyz)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong>current statistical data on the sensitive subject of ethnicity in Afghanistan are not available, and ethnicity data from small samples of respondents to opinion polls are not a reliable alternative; Afghanistan's 2004 constitution recognizes 14 ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Baloch, Turkmen, Nuristani, Pamiri, Arab, Gujar, Brahui, Qizilbash, Aimaq, and Pashai</p></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-languages\">Languages:</div><div id=\"field-languages\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 80% (Dari functions as the lingua franca), Pashto (official) 47%, Uzbek 11%, English 5%, Turkmen 2%, Urdu 2%, Pashayi 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi, Shughni, Pamiri, Hindi, Russian, German, French<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017 est.\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data represent most widely spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because there is much bilingualism in the country and because respondents were allowed to select more than one language </p><p><strong>note:</strong> the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them </p></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-religions\">Religions:</div><div id=\"field-religions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Muslim 99.7% (Sunni 84.7 - 89.7%, Shia 10 - 15%), other 0.3%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2009 est.\">(2009 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-age-structure\">Age structure:</div><div id=\"field-age-structure\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">40.92%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 7,263,716 /female 7,033,427)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.85%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 3,883,693 /female 3,749,760)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">30.68%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 5,456,305 /female 5,263,332)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.95%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 679,766 /female 699,308)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.61%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(male 420,445 /female 491,085)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><span class=\"subfield-name\">population pyramid:</span><a data-toggle=\"modal\" href=\"#imageModal3580\" class='category_image_link'><img alt=\"population pyramid\" src=\"/attachments/images/thumb/AF_popgraph.bmp?1538604933\" /></a><div class=\"modal fade cntryModal\" id=\"imageModal3580\" role=\"dialog\" aria-label='modal dialog used to display image(s) associated with a field' aria-labelledby='imageModalLabel'><div class=\"wfb-modal-dialog\"><div class=\"modal-content\"><div class=\"wfb-modal-header\">	<span class=\"modal-title wfb-title\">The World Factbook</span><span class='sr-only' id='imageModalLabel'>Field Image Modal</span>	<span style=\"float: right; margin-top: -4px;\">	<button type=\"button\" class=\"close\" title=\"close\" data-dismiss=\"modal\">×</button>	</span></div><div class=\"wfb-modal-body\">	<div class=\"region1 geos_title sas_dark\"> 	South Asia <strong>::</strong>	<span class=\"region_name1 countryName\">Afghanistan</span><span class=\"btn-print\"><a href=\"/attachments/images/large/AF_popgraph.bmp?1538604933\"><i class=\"fa fa-print\" aria-hidden='true'></i><span class='sr-only'>Print</span></a></span>	</div>	<div class=\"sas_bkgrnd\">	<div class=\"modalImageBox\">	<img class=\"sas_lgflagborder\"		 src=\"/attachments/images/large/AF_popgraph.bmp?1538604933\" alt=\"population pyramid\">	</div>	<div class=\"modalImageDesc\">	<div class=\"header\"		 style=\"background-image: url(/images/sas_medium.jpg)\">	Image Description	</div>	<div class=\"photogallery_captiontext\">	This is the population pyramid for Afghanistan. A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends. <br/><br/>For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.	</div>	</div>	</div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-dependency-ratios\">Dependency ratios:</div><div id=\"field-dependency-ratios\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">88.8</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">youth dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">84.1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elderly dependency ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.7</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">potential support ratio:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-median-age\">Median age:</div><div id=\"field-median-age\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.1 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>203</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-growth-rate\">Population growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-population-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.37%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>29</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-birth-rate\">Birth rate:</div><div id=\"field-birth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">37.5 births/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>12</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-death-rate\">Death rate:</div><div id=\"field-death-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">13.2 deaths/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>9</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-net-migration-rate\">Net migration rate:</div><div id=\"field-net-migration-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>134</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-population-distribution\">Population distribution:</div><div id=\"field-population-distribution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>populations tend to cluster in the foothills and periphery of the rugged Hindu Kush range; smaller groups are found in many of the country's interior valleys; in general, the east is more densely settled, while the south is sparsely populated</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-urbanization\">Urbanization:</div><div id=\"field-urbanization\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">25.5% of total population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rate of urbanization:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.37% annual rate of change</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2015-20 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-major-urban-areas-population\">Major urban areas - population:</div><div id=\"field-major-urban-areas-population\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>4.012 million KABUL (capital)<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sex-ratio\">Sex ratio:</div><div id=\"field-sex-ratio\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">at birth:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.04 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">0-14 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.03 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">15-24 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.04 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">25-54 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.04 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">55-64 years:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.97 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">65 years and over:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.86 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.03 male(s)/female</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-mother-s-mean-age-at-first-birth\">Mother&#39;s mean age at first birth:</div><div id=\"field-mother-s-mean-age-at-first-birth\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">19.9 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> median age at first birth among women 25-29</p></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-maternal-mortality-rate\">Maternal mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-maternal-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">396 deaths/100,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>28</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-infant-mortality-rate\">Infant mortality rate:</div><div id=\"field-infant-mortality-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">108.5 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">115.7 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">100.9 deaths/1,000 live births</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>1</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-life-expectancy-at-birth\">Life expectancy at birth:</div><div id=\"field-life-expectancy-at-birth\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">52.1 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">50.6 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">53.6 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>223</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-total-fertility-rate\">Total fertility rate:</div><div id=\"field-total-fertility-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.02 children born/woman</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>11</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-contraceptive-prevalence-rate\">Contraceptive prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-contraceptive-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">22.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015/16\">(2015/16)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-health-expenditures\">Health expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-health-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">8.2% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>52</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-physicians-density\">Physicians density:</div><div id=\"field-physicians-density\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.3 physicians/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hospital-bed-density\">Hospital bed density:</div><div id=\"field-hospital-bed-density\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.5 beds/1,000 population</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-drinking-water-source\">Drinking water source:</div><div id=\"field-drinking-water-source\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">78.2% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">47% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">55.3% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.8% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">53% of population</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">44.7% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-sanitation-facility-access\">Sanitation facility access:</div><div id=\"field-sanitation-facility-access\"><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>improved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">45.1% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">27% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">31.9% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class='subfield-group'>unimproved:</span><span class=\"subfield-name\">urban:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">54.9% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">rural:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">73% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield grouped_subfield'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">68.1% of population</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\">HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">&lt;.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\">HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-people-living-with-hiv-aids\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7,500</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>109</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-hiv-aids-deaths\">HIV/AIDS - deaths:</div><div id=\"field-hiv-aids-deaths\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-note\">&lt;500</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-major-infectious-diseases\">Major infectious diseases:</div><div id=\"field-major-infectious-diseases\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">degree of risk:</span>intermediate<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">food or waterborne diseases:</span>bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">vectorborne diseases:</span>malaria<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-obesity-adult-prevalence-rate\">Obesity - adult prevalence rate:</div><div id=\"field-obesity-adult-prevalence-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>176</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight\">Children under the age of 5 years underweight:</div><div id=\"field-children-under-the-age-of-5-years-underweight\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">25%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>16</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-education-expenditures\">Education expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-education-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.2% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>138</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-literacy\">Literacy:</div><div id=\"field-literacy\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">definition:</span>age 15 and over can read and write<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015 est.\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">38.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">52%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">24.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-people-and-society-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\">School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):</div><div id=\"field-school-life-expectancy-primary-to-tertiary-education\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">11 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">male:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">13 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">female:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">8 years</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div></div></li><li id='government-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Government'ccode='af'>Government ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='government-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-country-name\">Country name:</div><div id=\"field-country-name\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional long form:</span>Islamic Republic of Afghanistan</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">conventional short form:</span>Afghanistan</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local long form:</span>Jamhuri-ye Islami-ye Afghanistan</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">local short form:</span>Afghanistan</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">former:</span>Republic of Afghanistan</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">etymology:</span>the name \"Afghan\" originally referred to the Pashtun people (today it is understood to include all the country's ethnic groups), while the suffix \"-stan\" means \"place of\" or \"country\"; so Afghanistan literally means the \"Land of the Afghans\"</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-government-type\">Government type:</div><div id=\"field-government-type\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>presidential Islamic republic</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-capital\">Capital:</div><div id=\"field-capital\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">name:</span>Kabul</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">geographic coordinates:</span>34 31 N, 69 11 E</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">time difference:</span>UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><strong>etymology:</strong> named for the Kabul River, but the river's name is of unknown origin</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-administrative-divisions\">Administrative divisions:</div><div id=\"field-administrative-divisions\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>34 provinces (welayat, singular - welayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, Zabul</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-independence\">Independence:</div><div id=\"field-independence\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-holiday\">National holiday:</div><div id=\"field-national-holiday\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Independence Day, 19 August (1919)</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-constitution\">Constitution:</div><div id=\"field-constitution\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">history:</span>several previous; latest drafted 14 December 2003 - 4 January 2004, signed 16 January 2004, ratified 26 January 2004<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">amendments:</span>proposed by a commission formed by presidential decree followed by the convention of a Grand Council (Loya Jirga) decreed by the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Loya Jirga membership and endorsement by the president<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legal-system\">Legal system:</div><div id=\"field-legal-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic law</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-law-organization-participation\">International law organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-law-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-citizenship\">Citizenship:</div><div id=\"field-citizenship\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">citizenship by birth:</span>no</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">citizenship by descent only:</span>at least one parent must have been born in - and continuously lived in - Afghanistan</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">dual citizenship recognized:</span>no</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">residency requirement for naturalization:</span>5 years</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-suffrage\">Suffrage:</div><div id=\"field-suffrage\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>18 years of age; universal</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-judicial-branch\">Judicial branch:</div><div id=\"field-judicial-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">highest courts:</span>Supreme Court or Stera Mahkama (consists of the supreme court chief and 8 justices organized into criminal, public security, civil, and commercial divisions or dewans)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">judge selection and term of office:</span>court chief and justices appointed by the president with the approval of the Wolesi Jirga; court chief and justices serve single 10-year terms</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subordinate courts:</span>Appeals Courts; Primary Courts; Special Courts for issues including narcotics, security, property, family, and juveniles</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-executive-branch\">Executive branch:</div><div id=\"field-executive-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of state:</span>President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai (since 29 September 2014); CEO Abdullah ABDULLAH, Dr. (since 29 September 2014); First Vice President Abdul Rashid DOSTAM (since 29 September 2014); Second Vice President Sarwar DANESH (since 29 September 2014); First Deputy CEO Khyal Mohammad KHAN; Second Deputy CEO Mohammad MOHAQQEQ; note - the president is both chief of state and head of government</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">head of government:</span>President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai (since 29 September 2014); CEO Abdullah ABDULLAH, Dr. (since 29 September 2014); First Vice President Abdul Rashid DOSTAM (since 29 September 2014); Second Vice President Sarwar DANESH (since 29 September 2014); First Deputy CEO Khyal Mohammad KHAN; Second Deputy CEO Mohammad MOHAQQEQ</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">cabinet:</span>Cabinet consists of 25 ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elections/appointments:</span>president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held in 2 rounds on 5 April and 14 June 2014 (next originally scheduled for April 2019 has been postponed by several months)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">election results:</span>Ashraf GHANI elected president in the second round; percent of vote in first round - Abdullah ABDULLAH (National Coalition of Afghanistan) 45%, Ashraf GHANI (independent) 31.6%, Zalmai RASSOUL 11.4%, other 12%; percent of vote in second round - Ashraf GHANI 56.4%, Abdullah ABDULLAH 43.6%</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-legislative-branch\">Legislative branch:</div><div id=\"field-legislative-branch\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">description:</span>bicameral National Assembly consists of:<br>Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats; 34 members indirectly elected by district councils to serve 3-year terms, 34 indirectly elected by provincial councils to serve 4-year terms, and 34 nominated by the president of which 17 must be women, 2 must represent the disabled, and 2 must be Kuchi nomads; members nominated by the president serve 5-year terms)<br>Wolesi Jirga or House of People (249 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">elections:</span><br>Meshrano Jirga - last held 10 January 2015 (next to be held in 2018)<br> Wolesi Jirga - last held on 20 October 2018) (next tobe held in 2023)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">election results:</span><br>Meshrano Jirga - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 84, women 18, percent of women 17.6%<br>Wolesi Jirga - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 148, women 69, percent of women 27.7%; note - total National Assembly percent of women 24.8%</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><strong>note:</strong> the constitution allows the government to convene a constitutional Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it consists of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils; a Loya Jirga can amend provisions of the constitution and prosecute the president; no constitutional Loya Jirga has ever been held, and district councils have never been elected; the president appointed 34 members of the Meshrano Jirga that the district councils should have indirectly elected</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-political-parties-and-leaders\">Political parties and leaders:</div><div id=\"field-political-parties-and-leaders\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>note - the Ministry of Justice licensed 57 political parties as of September 2016</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-international-organization-participation\">International organization participation:</div><div id=\"field-international-organization-participation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>ADB, CICA, CP, ECO, EITI (candidate country), FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNAMA, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\">Diplomatic representation in the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-in-the-us\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of mission:</span>Ambassador Hamdullah MOHIB (since 17 September 2015)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chancery:</span>2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">telephone:</span>[1] (202) 483-6410</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">FAX:</span>[1] (202) 483-6488</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">consulate(s) general:</span>Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\">Diplomatic representation from the US:</div><div id=\"field-diplomatic-representation-from-the-us\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">chief of mission:</span>Ambassador John BASS (since December 2017)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">embassy:</span>Bibi Mahru, Kabul</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">mailing address:</span>U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">telephone:</span>[00 93] 0700 108 001</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">FAX:</span>[00 93] 0700 108 564</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-flag-description\">Flag description:</div><div id=\"field-flag-description\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other 2 bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning \"God is great\"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan; black signifies the past, red is for the blood shed for independence, and green can represent either hope for the future, agricultural prosperity, or Islam</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> Afghanistan had more changes to its national flag in the 20th century - 19 by one count - than any other country; the colors black, red, and green appeared on most of them</p></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-symbol-s\">National symbol(s):</div><div id=\"field-national-symbol-s\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>lion; national colors: red, green, black</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-government-national-anthem\">National anthem:</div><div id=\"field-national-anthem\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">name:</span>\"Milli Surood\" (National Anthem)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">lyrics/music:</span>Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA</div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> adopted 2006; the 2004 constitution of the post-Taliban government mandated that a new national anthem should be written containing the phrase \"Allahu Akbar\" (God is Greatest) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups</p></div><div class=\"category_data attachment\"><audio type=\"audio/mp3\" controls=\"controls\" alt=\"National Anthem audio file for Afghanistan\" src=\"/attachments/audios/original/AF.mp3?1538604748\"></audio></div></div></li><li id='economy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Economy'ccode='af'>Economy ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='economy-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-economy-overview\">Economy - overview:</div><div id=\"field-economy-overview\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><p>Despite improvements in life expectancy, incomes, and literacy since 2001, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Corruption, insecurity, weak governance, lack of infrastructure, and the Afghan Government's difficulty in extending rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. Afghanistan's living standards are among the lowest in the world. Since 2014, the economy has slowed, in large part because of the withdrawal of nearly 100,000 foreign troops that had artificially inflated the country’s economic growth.</p><p></p><p>The international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $83 billion at ten donors' conferences between 2003 and 2016. In October 2016, the donors at the Brussels conference pledged an additional $3.8 billion in development aid annually from 2017 to 2020. Even with this help, Government of Afghanistan still faces number of challenges, including low revenue collection, anemic job creation, high levels of corruption, weak government capacity, and poor public infrastructure.</p><p></p><p>In 2017 Afghanistan's growth rate was only marginally above that of the 2014-2016 average. The drawdown of international security forces that started in 2012 has negatively affected economic growth, as a substantial portion of commerce, especially in the services sector, has catered to the ongoing international troop presence in the country. Afghan President Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai is dedicated to instituting economic reforms to include improving revenue collection and fighting corruption. The government has implemented reforms to the budget process and in some other areas. However, many other reforms will take time to implement and Afghanistan will remain dependent on international donor support over the next several years.</p></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\">GDP (purchasing power parity):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-purchasing-power-parity\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$69.45 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$67.65 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$66.21 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data are in 2017 dollars</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>101</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-official-exchange-rate\">GDP (official exchange rate):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-official-exchange-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$20.24 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(2017 est.)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-real-growth-rate\">GDP - real growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-real-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>124</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-per-capita-ppp\">GDP - per capita (PPP):</div><div id=\"field-gdp-per-capita-ppp\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2,000</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2,000</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2,000</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data are in 2017 dollars</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>209</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gross-national-saving\">Gross national saving:</div><div id=\"field-gross-national-saving\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">22.7% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">25.8% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.4% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>78</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-end-use\">GDP - composition, by end use:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-end-use\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">household consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">81.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">government consumption:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in fixed capital:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">17.2%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">investment in inventories:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">30%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">exports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">6.7%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">imports of goods and services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">-47.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\">GDP - composition, by sector of origin:</div><div id=\"field-gdp-composition-by-sector-of-origin\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">23%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">21.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">55.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> data exclude opium production</p></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-agriculture-products\">Agriculture - products:</div><div id=\"field-agriculture-products\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>opium, wheat, fruits, nuts, wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins, poppies</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industries\">Industries:</div><div id=\"field-industries\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>small-scale production of bricks, textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, apparel, food products, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-industrial-production-growth-rate\">Industrial production growth rate:</div><div id=\"field-industrial-production-growth-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-1.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>181</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force\">Labor force:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">8.478 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>61</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-labor-force-by-occupation\">Labor force - by occupation:</div><div id=\"field-labor-force-by-occupation\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">agriculture:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">44.3%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">industry:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">18.1%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">services:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">37.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-unemployment-rate\">Unemployment rate:</div><div id=\"field-unemployment-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">23.9%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">22.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>194</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-population-below-poverty-line\">Population below poverty line:</div><div id=\"field-population-below-poverty-line\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">54.5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share\">Household income or consumption by percentage share:</div><div id=\"field-household-income-or-consumption-by-percentage-share\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">lowest 10%:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3.8%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2008\">(2008)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">highest 10%:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">24%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2008\">(2008)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-distribution-of-family-income-gini-index\">Distribution of family income - Gini index:</div><div id=\"field-distribution-of-family-income-gini-index\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">29.4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2008\">(2008)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>136</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget\">Budget:</div><div id=\"field-budget\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">revenues:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2.276 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">expenditures:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.328 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-taxes-and-other-revenues\">Taxes and other revenues:</div><div id=\"field-taxes-and-other-revenues\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">11.2% (of GDP)</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>210</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-budget-surplus-or-deficit\">Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):</div><div id=\"field-budget-surplus-or-deficit\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-15.1% (of GDP)</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>217</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-public-debt\">Public debt:</div><div id=\"field-public-debt\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.8% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>202</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-fiscal-year\">Fiscal year:</div><div id=\"field-fiscal-year\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>21 December - 20 December</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\">Inflation rate (consumer prices):</div><div id=\"field-inflation-rate-consumer-prices\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.4%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>171</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\">Commercial bank prime lending rate:</div><div id=\"field-commercial-bank-prime-lending-rate\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">15%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">15%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2015\">(31 December 2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>37</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-narrow-money\">Stock of narrow money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-narrow-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$6.644 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2014\">(31 December 2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$6.192 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2013\">(31 December 2013 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>94</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-broad-money\">Stock of broad money:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-broad-money\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$6.945 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2014\">(31 December 2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$6.544 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2013\">(31 December 2013 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>95</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-stock-of-domestic-credit\">Stock of domestic credit:</div><div id=\"field-stock-of-domestic-credit\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">-$240.6 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2016\">(31 December 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>192</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-market-value-of-publicly-traded-shares\">Market value of publicly traded shares:</div><div id=\"field-market-value-of-publicly-traded-shares\"><div class=\"category_data note\"><p>NA</p></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-current-account-balance\">Current account balance:</div><div id=\"field-current-account-balance\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.014 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$1.409 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>48</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports\">Exports:</div><div id=\"field-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$784 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$614.2 million</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class=\"category_data note\"><p><strong>note:</strong> not including illicit exports or reexports</p></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>171</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-partners\">Exports - partners:</div><div id=\"field-exports-partners\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>India 56.5%, Pakistan 29.6%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exports-commodities\">Exports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-exports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems, and medical herbs</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports\">Imports:</div><div id=\"field-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$7.616 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$6.16 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>114</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-commodities\">Imports - commodities:</div><div id=\"field-imports-commodities\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>machinery and other capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-imports-partners\">Imports - partners:</div><div id=\"field-imports-partners\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>China 21%, Iran 20.5%, Pakistan 11.8%, Kazakhstan 11%, Uzbekistan 6.8%, Malaysia 5.3%<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\">Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:</div><div id=\"field-reserves-of-foreign-exchange-and-gold\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$7.187 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2017\">(31 December 2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$6.901 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 31 December 2015\">(31 December 2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>85</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-debt-external\">Debt - external:</div><div id=\"field-debt-external\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">$2.84 billion</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: FY/\">(FY/)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>144</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-economy-exchange-rates\">Exchange rates:</div><div id=\"field-exchange-rates\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>afghanis (AFA) per US dollar -</div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">7.87</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">68.03</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">67.87</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">61.14</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">57.25</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013 est.)</span></div></div></li><li id='energy-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Energy'ccode='af'>Energy ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='energy-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-access\">Electricity access:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-access\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">population without electricity:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">18,999,254</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - total population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">43%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - urban areas:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">83%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">electrification - rural areas:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">32%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-production\">Electricity - production:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.211 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>146</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-consumption\">Electricity - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">5.526 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>119</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-exports\">Electricity - exports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>96</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-imports\">Electricity - imports:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4.4 billion kWh</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>42</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-installed-generating-capacity\">Electricity - installed generating capacity:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-installed-generating-capacity\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">634,100 kW</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>138</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-fossil-fuels\">Electricity - from fossil fuels:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-fossil-fuels\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">45% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>159</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-nuclear-fuels\">Electricity - from nuclear fuels:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-nuclear-fuels\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>32</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-hydroelectric-plants\">Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-hydroelectric-plants\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">52% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>34</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-electricity-from-other-renewable-sources\">Electricity - from other renewable sources:</div><div id=\"field-electricity-from-other-renewable-sources\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">4% of total installed capacity</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>111</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-production\">Crude oil - production:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>101</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-exports\">Crude oil - exports:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>82</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-imports\">Crude oil - imports:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>84</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-crude-oil-proved-reserves\">Crude oil - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-crude-oil-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2018\">(1 January 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>99</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-production\">Refined petroleum products - production:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>110</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-consumption\">Refined petroleum products - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">35,000 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>117</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-exports\">Refined petroleum products - exports:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>124</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-refined-petroleum-products-imports\">Refined petroleum products - imports:</div><div id=\"field-refined-petroleum-products-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">34,210 bbl/day</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>97</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-production\">Natural gas - production:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-production\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">164.2 million cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>79</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-consumption\">Natural gas - consumption:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-consumption\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">164.2 million cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>108</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-exports\">Natural gas - exports:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-exports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>57</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-imports\">Natural gas - imports:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-imports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0 cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>81</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-natural-gas-proved-reserves\">Natural gas - proved reserves:</div><div id=\"field-natural-gas-proved-reserves\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">49.55 billion cu m</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 1 January 2018\">(1 January 2018 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>62</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-energy-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-consumption-of-energy\">Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:</div><div id=\"field-carbon-dioxide-emissions-from-consumption-of-energy\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">9.067 million Mt</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>111</span></div></div></li><li id='communications-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Communications'ccode='af'>Communications ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='communications-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-fixed-lines\">Telephones - fixed lines:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-fixed-lines\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">118,769</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">less than 1</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>138</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephones-mobile-cellular\">Telephones - mobile cellular:</div><div id=\"field-telephones-mobile-cellular\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total subscriptions:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">23,929,713</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">70</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>52</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-telephone-system\">Telephone system:</div><div id=\"field-telephone-system\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">general assessment:</span>progress has been made on Afghanistan's first limited fixed-line telephone service and nationwide optical fibre backbone; aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service continues to improve swiftly; the Afghan Ministry of Communications and Information claims that more than 90% of the population live in areas with access to mobile-cellular services<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">domestic:</span>less than 1 per 100 for fixed-line teledensity; 70 per 100 for mobile-cellular; an increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">international:</span>country code - 93; multiple VSAT's provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadcast-media\">Broadcast media:</div><div id=\"field-broadcast-media\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>state-owned broadcaster, Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), operates a series of radio and television stations in Kabul and the provinces; an estimated 150 private radio stations, 50 TV stations, and about a dozen international broadcasters are available<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-country-code\">Internet country code:</div><div id=\"field-internet-country-code\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>.af</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-internet-users\">Internet users:</div><div id=\"field-internet-users\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">3,531,770</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">percent of population:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">10.6%</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: July 2016\">(July 2016 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>92</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-communications-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\">Broadband - fixed subscriptions:</div><div id=\"field-broadband-fixed-subscriptions\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">16,810</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">less than 1</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017 est.)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>156</span></div></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Transportation'ccode='af'>Transportation ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='transportation-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-national-air-transport-system\">National air transport system:</div><div id=\"field-national-air-transport-system\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">number of registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">20</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,929,907</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">annual freight traffic on registered air carriers:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">33,102,038</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">mt-km</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-civil-aircraft-registration-country-code-prefix\">Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:</div><div id=\"field-civil-aircraft-registration-country-code-prefix\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>YA<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports\">Airports:</div><div id=\"field-airports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">43</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>99</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-paved-runways\">Airports - with paved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-paved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">25</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">over 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">2,438 to 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">1,524 to 2,437 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">14</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">914 to 1,523 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">2</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">under 914 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-airports-with-unpaved-runways\">Airports - with unpaved runways:</div><div id=\"field-airports-with-unpaved-runways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">18</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">2,438 to 3,047 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">1</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">1,524 to 2,437 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">8</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">914 to 1,523 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">4</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">under 914 m:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">5</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-heliports\">Heliports:</div><div id=\"field-heliports\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">9</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-pipelines\">Pipelines:</div><div id=\"field-pipelines\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>466 km gas<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-roadways\">Roadways:</div><div id=\"field-roadways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">total:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">42,150 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2006\">(2006)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">paved:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">12,350 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2006\">(2006)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-name\">unpaved:</span><span class=\"subfield-number\">29,800 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2006\">(2006)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>86</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-waterways\">Waterways:</div><div id=\"field-waterways\"><div class='category_data subfield numeric'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1,200 km</span><span class=\"subfield-note\">(chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT)</span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2011\">(2011)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>58</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transportation-ports-and-terminals\">Ports and terminals:</div><div id=\"field-ports-and-terminals\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">river port(s):</span>Kheyrabad, Shir Khan</div></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Military and Security'ccode='af'>Military and Security ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='military-and-security-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-expenditures\">Military expenditures:</div><div id=\"field-military-expenditures\"><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.89% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2016\">(2016)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">0.99% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2015\">(2015)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.33% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2014\">(2014)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.06% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2013\">(2013)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield historic'><span class=\"subfield-number\">1.14% of GDP</span><span class=\"subfield-note\"></span><span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2012\">(2012)</span></div><div><span class='category'>country comparison to the world:</span><span class='category_data'>125</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-branches\">Military branches:</div><div id=\"field-military-branches\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) comprised of military, police, and other security elements: Afghan National Army (includes Afghan Air Force), Afghan National Police, Afghan Local Police, and the National Directorate of Security<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-military-and-security-military-service-age-and-obligation\">Military service age and obligation:</div><div id=\"field-military-service-age-and-obligation\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2017\">(2017)</span></div></div></li><li id='terrorism-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Terrorism'ccode='af'>Terrorism ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='terrorism-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-terrorism-terrorist-groups-home-based\">Terrorist groups - home based:</div><div id=\"field-terrorist-groups-home-based\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">al-Qa'ida (AQ):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> eject Western influence from the Islamic world, unite the worldwide Muslim community, overthrow governments perceived as un-Islamic, and ultimately, establish a pan-Islamic caliphate under a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of sharia<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> maintains established networks and a longtime operational presence in Afghanistan, especially in the south, northwest, and northeast near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Islamic Jihad Union (IJU):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> drive NATO forces out of Afghanistan and destabilize the country; overthrow the Government of Uzbekistan<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> conducts attacks in collaboration with other extremist groups, including the Taliban, against NATO and Afghan forces across the country, especially in the northern and eastern Paktika, Paktia, and Nangarhar provinces<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> enhance its networks and secure territory in Afghanistan to establish a secure presence from which it can pursue its historic goal of establishing an Islamic state in the Fergana Valley, a fertile valley spread across eastern Uzbekistan, southern Kyrgyzstan, and northern Tajikistan <br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> operates mostly in the north along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, with its heaviest presence in Badakhshan Province, where IMU has operated paramilitary training camps and bases<br><strong>note:</strong> the IMU is fractured and mostly supports ISIS-K although some members have continued working with the Taliban<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham-Khorasan (ISIS-K):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> establish an Islamic caliphate in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of Central Asia; counter Westerners and Shia Muslims<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> stronghold in Nangarhar Province near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and operating in Kunar, Laghman, Jowzjan provinces with pockets of support throughout Afghanistan<br><strong>note:</strong> recruits from among the local population, Central Asian extremists in Afghanistan, and other militant groups, such as Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban, and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>drive foreign troops from Afghanistan; remove Pakistani forces from Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and, ultimately, overthrow the Pakistan Government to implement TTP's strict interpretation of sharia<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> headquartered in several eastern Afghanistan provinces near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border; operates primarily along the northeastern Afghanistan-Pakistan border, especially in Kunar and Paktika provinces, where TTP has established sanctuaries<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-terrorism-terrorist-groups-foreign-based\">Terrorist groups - foreign based:</div><div id=\"field-terrorist-groups-foreign-based\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">al-Qa'ida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS):</span><strong><br>aim(s): </strong>establish an Islamic caliphate in the Indian subcontinent<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> heaviest presence is in Afghanistan, especially in the eastern and southern regions, where most of the Afghan-based leaders are located<br><strong>note:</strong> targets primarily Afghan military and security personnel and US interests<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Haqqani Taliban Network (HQN):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> expel US and Coalition forces and replace the Afghan Government with an Islamic state operating according to a strict Salafi Muslim interpretation of sharia under the Afghan Taliban<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> stages attacks from Kurram and North Waziristan Agency in Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) across from Afghanistan's southeastern border; operational throughout the country, especially in Kabul and Paktiya and Khost provinces<br><strong>note:</strong> plays a leading role in planning and executing high-profile attacks against Afghan personnel, NATO's Resolute Support Mission, US and Coalition Forces, and other US and Western interests<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Harakat ul-Jihad-i-Islami (HUJI):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> implement sharia in Afghanistan; enhance its networks and drive foreign troops from Afghanistan<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> operations throughout Afghanistan, targeting primarily Afghan Government personnel and Coalition forces<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Harakat ul-Mujahidin (HUM):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> enhance its networks and paramilitary training in Afghanistan and, ultimately, incorporate Kashmir into Pakistan; establish an Islamic state in Kashmir<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> maintains paramilitary training camps in eastern Afghanistan<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Jaish-e-Mohammed (JEM):</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> participate in the insurgency against Afghan and international forces to support a Taliban return to power in Afghanistan and annex the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> historically operated in Afghanistan's eastern provinces<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Jaysh al Adl:</span><br><strong>aim(s):</strong> enhance its operational networks and capabilities for staging cross-border attacks into Pakistan and Iran<br><strong>area(s) of operation:</strong> operational in the greater Balochistan area, where fighters stage attacks targeting Shia Muslims in Iran and Pakistan<br><strong>note:</strong> formerly known as Jundallah<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Lashkar i Jhangvi (LJ):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>enhance its networks and paramilitary training in Afghanistan; exterminate Shia Muslims, rid the Afghanistan-Pakistan region of Western influence<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> headquartered in the east; operates paramilitary training camps near the Afghanistan-Pakistan border across from the central area of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) region; operatives conduct operations inside Afghanistan<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">Lashkar-e Tayyiba (LT):</span><br><strong>aim(s): </strong>annex the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan and foment Islamic insurgency in India; attack Western, Indian, and Afghan interests in Afghanistan; support the Taliban's return to power; enhance its recruitment networks and paramilitary training in Afghanistan, and, ultimately, install Islamic rule throughout South Asia<strong><br>area(s) of operation:</strong> targets Coalition forces and Western interests throughout the country; maintains several facilities, such as paramilitary training camps, medical clinics serving locals, and schools for youths; targets Pashtun youth for recruitmentAdministered Tribal Areas (FATA) region; operatives conduct operations inside Afghanistan<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: April 2018\">(April 2018)</span></div></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section-anchor'><div class='question sas_med' sectiontitle='Transnational Issues'ccode='af'>Transnational Issues ::<span class='region'>Afghanistan</span></div></li><li id='transnational-issues-category-section'><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-disputes-international\">Disputes - international:</div><div id=\"field-disputes-international\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>Afghan, Coalition, and Pakistan military meet periodically to clarify the alignment of the boundary on the ground and on maps and since 2014 have met to discuss collaboration on the Taliban insurgency and counterterrorism effortsAfghan and Iranian commissioners have discussed boundary monument densification and resurveyIran protests Afghanistan's restricting flow of dammed Helmand River tributaries during droughtPakistan has sent troops across and built fences along some remote tribal areas of its treaty-defined Durand Line border with Afghanistan which serve as bases for foreign terrorists and other illegal activitiesRussia remains concerned about the smuggling of poppy derivatives from Afghanistan through Central Asian countries</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons\">Refugees and internally displaced persons:</div><div id=\"field-refugees-and-internally-displaced-persons\"><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">refugees (country of origin):</span>75,893 (Pakistan) (2017)</div><div class='category_data subfield text'><span class=\"subfield-name\">IDPs:</span>1.286 million (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in the south and west due to natural disasters and political instability) (2017)</div></div><div class=\"category sas_light\" style=\"padding-left:5px;\" id=\"field-anchor-transnational-issues-illicit-drugs\">Illicit drugs:</div><div id=\"field-illicit-drugs\"><div class='category_data subfield text'>world's largest producer of opium; poppy cultivation increased 63 percent, to 328,304 hectares in 2017; while eradication increased slightly, it still remains well below levels achieved in 2015; the 2017 crop yielded an estimated 9,000 mt of raw opium, a 88% increase over 2016; the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the opiate trade, which is a key source of revenue for the Taliban inside Afghanistan; widespread corruption and instability impede counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; Afghanistan is also struggling to respond to a burgeoning domestic opiate addiction problem; a 2015 national drug use survey found that roughly 11% of the population tested positive for one or more illicit drugs; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; illicit cultivation of cannabis and regional source of hashish<span class=\"subfield-date\" aria-label=\"Date of information: 2018\">(2018)</span></div></div></li></ul></div>"}