KABUL: A majority of Afghans believe their country is moving in the right direction but insecurity, unemployment and corruption remain major problems, a survey by the US-based Asia Foundation said yesterday.
More than half of those polled, 52 percent, were optimistic, up from 46 percent last year, while 31 percent said the country was moving in the wrong direction.
Afghanistan has faced an 11-year insurgency by Taliban Islamists toppled from power by a US-led invasion in 2001. US-led Nato combat troops supporting the government against the militants are due to pull out by the end of 2014.
The survey gathered the opinions of around 6,300 Afghans across the country between June and July, although pollsters could not access some areas with high levels of insecurity.
The views of those in areas worst hit by the war are therefore likely to be under-represented, the report notes.
“People surveyed identify insecurity -- including attacks, violence, and terrorism -- unemployment and corruption as the three biggest problems facing Afghanistan as a whole,” the survey said.
“Security continues to be the biggest indicator of both optimism and pessimism for Afghans,” said the Asia Foundation’s deputy country representative Abdullah Ahmadzai.
“But it is clear that life goes on as Afghans express deep-seated concerns for jobs, education, public services, political participation, and a better life,” he added.
Eighty-four percent said they think Afghans should choose their leaders through regular, open and honest elections rather than adopt other methods, the poll found.
AFP
