World Bank: Afghanistan Among Fourth Least Peaceful Country on Earth

A recent World Bank report stated that an increase in poverty, insecurity and snail-paced growth in economy pose grave threats for the country’s future. Approximately 17 percent of households reported exposure to security-related shocks in 2013–14, up from 15 percent in 2011–12 according to data from the Afghanistan Living Conditions Survey (ALCS). The report further stated that while increasing conflict has made Afghans more vulnerable to shocks – the period between 2012 and 2014—the so called “transition period” leading to the 2014 election and handover of security responsibility to Afghan forces— was characterized by a severe slow-down in economic growth caused by reduction of aid, drawdown of international military forces and political instability. “The poorest and most vulnerable segments of the population suffered the most, with sluggish growth and increasing conflict pushing 1.3 million more Afghans into poverty since 2011-12, increasing the poverty rate from 35.8 percent in 2011–12 to 39.1 percent in 2013–14,” the report reads. According to the report, to address poverty and inequality, it is important to achieve improvements in security and in overall economic performance, which are difficult under current conditions.