Economic Misery. Afghanistan is undoubtedly the poorest country in the Central Asian region, and it contains one of the weakest economies in the world. Starting in the late 1970s, Afghanistan experienced nearly continuous war, and this has caused economic activities to be difficult to maintain. Economic progress is blocked due to rural unrest, corruption, and organized crime. Afghanistan began producing illegal drugs for the global market by the late 1990s. Based on information provided by the CIA, Afghanistan is the world's largest producer of opium. Such production increased after the fall of the Taliban. By 2004, production slowed because many believed that they would be rewarded for giving up the crop. Since then, hopes of reward have decreased and opium yield has grown.
Economy. The Afghan economy has seen strong, yet volatile growth which has been driven by agriculture, construction, and services. Agriculture employs nearly 85 percent of the population and produces two-thirds of the economic output. It remains the world's top opium producer, which accounts for 90 percent of the global supply.
Troubling Figures. Afghanistan falls at the bottom of the scale that addresses nearly every aspect of social conditions. The average life expectancy in the country is 42 years, which is one of the lowest figures in the world. This is a troubling statistic especially when paired with extremely high infant and childhood mortality levels. To add to the misfortune, the rugged topography contributes to the hard to access social and medical services.
Social Conditions & Women in Afghanistan. Burdened with very limited freedom, women in traditional Afghan society are required to completely conceal their bodies when in public spaces. Dress control was strictly regulated in the 1990s, especially where the Taliban gained power. Such restrictions prevented women from working, attending school, and even reaching medical care. Since the fall of the Taliban, women in Afghanistan have seen changes. Although still nervous, many started seeking work and even uncovering their faces. One of the most shocking happenings was in rural Pashtun-speaking areas where Taliban forces attacked and destroyed a number of girls' schools. Today, the position of women is not much better that it was in the late 1990s.