KABUL - More than two-thirds (69%) of Afghans say that things in their life are worse than they were 12 months ago, with a quarter (26%) seeing no change in their lives, finds a new survey.
Conducted from October 27 through November 18, 2015 by the US-based Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) and Gallup, the poll found fewer than four percent of respondents seeing a change for the better.
As many as 2,000 Afghans, aged 15 and older, were interviewed in all 34 provinces of the country. Afghans in urban areas are more likely to say things in their lives are much worse than they were a year ago.
Some 46% of adults fear life will be even worse 12 months from now, 22%expect no change while 2% believe the situation will get better. Three in ten do not know how their lives will be a year later.
More than three-fourths of adults express dissatisfaction with the performance of the country’s leadership: 81% say they are somewhat dissatisfied with the performance of the national unity government.
According to the survey, 76% are somewhat dissatisfied with President Ashraf Ghani’s performance, and 86% with Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah.
Asked about 10 selected countries and organisations, Afghans voiced their most favorable opinions of India (62% overall), followed at some distance by China (46% overall), Russia (39%) and Iran (37%).
Major western actors are viewed favourably by about a third of Afghans: both the UK and the US at 34%. NATO/ISAF is also seen positively by just under three in ten (28% overall).
Two in three (67%) Pashto speakers have an unfavourable view of the US, compared to 44% of Dari speakers and 32% of Uzbek speakers. (Pajhwok)