Afghanistan's Development Gains : Progress and Challenges
This note outlines some of the major gains that have been achieved in Afghanistan since the US-led intervention in 2001. The analysis is informed by comparisons to development progress and outcomes in other low-income countries over the same period...
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| Language: | English |
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World Bank, Washington, DC
2020
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| Online Access: | http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/218551579623985457/Afghanistans-Development-Gains-Progress-and-Challenges http://hdl.handle.net/10986/33209 |
| Summary: | This note outlines some of the major
gains that have been achieved in Afghanistan since the
US-led intervention in 2001. The analysis is informed by
comparisons to development progress and outcomes in other
low-income countries over the same period. Afghanistan
remains mired in conflict and faces immense development
challenges. However, donor and government programs executed
in the context of rapid economic growth and sound
macroeconomic management have supported rapid improvements
in provision of basic public services and infrastructure
over the past two decades. While progress has been uneven
and data to assess progress is sometimes limited or
unreliable, increased access to services and infrastructure
has driven huge development gains, often far outpacing
progress achieved in other low-income countries. Against
many indicators, Afghanistan is now performing similarly to
other countries at its level of incomes, while receiving
similar levels of civilian aid. Development gains remain
fragile, however, and continued international support will
be required to avoid reversal of recent progress. Section
two outlines the extent of international assistance to
Afghanistan since 2001. Section three reviews economic
performance and overall macroeconomic management. Section
four shows how access to services and infrastructure has
improved. Section five shows how improved access to services
has led to major improvements in development outcomes,
including for women. The final section highlights continued
weakness in governance and the need for ongoing
international support. |
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