Afghanistan Times
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India most, Pakistan least favorable countries
KABUL: A BBG-Gallup survey has found that two-thirds of Afghans say things in their life are worse now than 12 months ago and almost half say they expect things to be even worse a year from now.
The survey sought the opinions of Afghan Adults on quality of life, satisfaction with leaders, and views toward other countries.
It was conducted nationally and 2,000 Afghans were interviewed.
The survey also found that over two thirds (69 percent) of Afghan adults say that things in their life today overall are worse than they were 12 months ago, just over a quarter (26 percent) say things are the same, and fewer than one in 20 (4 percent) say they are better.
Afghans in cities were however found to be more likely than those in rural areas (51 percent vs. 39 percent) to say that things in their lives are much worse than they were a year ago.
The survey also found that almost half (46 percent) of adults say they expect life to be even worse 12 months from now, one in five (22 percent) say things will be about the same, and just 2 percent say they expect things to be better a year from now. Three in ten (30 percent) say they don’t know how things in their lives will be 12 months ahead.
However, more than three-quarters of Afghans are dissatisfied with their national leaders.
In a statement issued by the organization, it stated that three-fourths or more of Afghan adults express dissatisfaction with the performance of their country’s leadership. 81 percent say they are dissatisfied with the performance of the National Unity Government; 76 percent say they are dissatisfied with President Ashraf Ghani and 86 percent say they are dissatisfied with CEO Abdullah Abdullah.
The survey also found that regional powers are seen most favorably, western powers less so, Pakistan and insurgent groups are seen most unfavorably.
Asked about their opinions of ten selected countries and organizations, Afghans expressed their most favorable opinions of India 62 percent overall in favor of, followed by China at 46 percent, Russia at 39 percent and Iran at 37 percent.
Meanwhile, major western actors in Afghanistan draw favorable opinions from about a third of Afghans: both Great Britain and the United States at 34 percent favorable overall, the U.S. with 11 percent and the U.K. with 10 percent “very” favorable.
NATO/ISAF is seen favorably by just under three in ten (28 percent overall, 6 percent “very” favorable).
Almost half (46 percent) of Afghans with post-secondary education express a favorable view of the U.S, compared to 38 percent of those with up to a secondary education, and 28 percent of Afghan adults with no formal education. Two in three Pashto speakers (67 percent) say they have an unfavorable view of the U.S, compared to 44 percent of Dari speakers and 32 percent of Uzbek speakers who express an unfavorable view of the United States.
Gallup is the prime contractor for survey research on behalf of the U.S Broadcasting Board of Governors, which supports and oversees broadcasters that include the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, whose Ashna and Azadi services in Dari and Pashto produce TV, radio and online content for audiences in Afghanistan.—(Afghan Spirit)
