1 - UNDP Afghanistan

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Social Well-Being
1. The Situation in Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s social indicators, which were low even before the 1979 Soviet invasion,
rank at or near the bottom among developing countries, inhibiting poverty reduction and
preventing the fulfilment of rights to health, education, food and shelter. In the almost three
years that have passed since the fall of the Taliban, important progress has been made in all
sectors, but much remains to be done in order to reach a significantly strengthened social
infrastructure, realise the rights to survival, livelihood, protection and participation, and
achieve the MDGs [see also Introduction, Who Are the Poor in Afghanistan?]. In addition,
the earlier devastation has been compounded by the severe drought that is still ongoing in
many areas [see also Economic Development and Growth]. Overall, it should be noted that
demand-based approaches are critical to meet social well-being and that local institutions
such as Community Development Councils are key to success in this regard.
With an estimated Total Fertility Rate of 6.26 per woman and an average population growth
rate of 2.5 percent per year, the population of Afghanistan is increasing very rapidly; 57
percent of Afghans are younger than 18. Average life expectancy, however, stands only
at 44.5 years 98 – as much as 20 years less than the regional average for South Asian
countries. The high fertility rate, combined with early marriage 99 and lack of access to
modern family planning measures and health facilities, has taken a devastating toll on the
health of both mothers and children.
98 Statistical Yearbook of
Afghanistan 2003.
99 A 2004 study by the Ministry
of Women’s Affairs and women’s
NGOs estimated that 57 percent of
girls marry before age 16.