--- title: Afghanistan — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 6 description: Wikipedia's «Afghanistan», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and South Asia. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/page/6/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Afghanistan # Afghanistan · page 6 From Wikipedia, [«Afghanistan»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/) … [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/page/5/) **6** [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/page/7/) The country has three rail links: one, a 75 km line from [Mazar-i-Sharif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazar-i-Sharif) to the [Uzbekistan border](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghanistan–Uzbekistan_Friendship_Bridge);[\[415\]](../../page/7/#ref-415 "note 415") a 10 km long line from [Toraghundi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toraghundi) to the [Turkmenistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkmenistan) [corpus](../../../Turkmenistan/ "in our corpus") border (where it continues as part of [Turkmen Railways](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkmen_Railways)); and a short link from [Aqina](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aqina) across the Turkmen border to [Kerki](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerki), which is planned to be extended further across Afghanistan.[\[416\]](../../page/7/#ref-416 "note 416")[479](../../479/ "tree and pragmatics") These lines are used for freight only and there is no passenger service.[480](../../480/ "tree and pragmatics") A rail line between [Khaf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khaf,_Iran), Iran and [Herat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herat), western Afghanistan, intended for both freight and passengers, was under construction as of 2019.[\[417\]](../../page/7/#ref-417 "note 417")[\[418\]](../../page/7/#ref-418 "note 418")[481](../../481/ "tree and pragmatics") About 125 km of the line will lie on the Afghan side.[\[419\]](../../page/7/#ref-419 "note 419")[\[420\]](../../page/7/#ref-420 "note 420")[482](../../482/ "tree and pragmatics") Private vehicle ownership has increased substantially since the early 2000s.[483](../../483/ "tree and pragmatics") Taxis are yellow and consist of both cars and [auto rickshaws](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_rickshaw).[\[421\]](../../page/7/#ref-421 "note 421")[484](../../484/ "tree and pragmatics") In rural Afghanistan, villagers often use donkeys, [mules](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mule) or horses to transport or carry goods.[485](../../485/ "tree and pragmatics") Camels are primarily used by the Kochi nomads.[\[281\]](../../page/7/#ref-281 "note 281")[486](../../486/ "tree and pragmatics") Bicycles are popular throughout Afghanistan.[\[422\]](../../page/7/#ref-422 "note 422")[487](../../487/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Demographics Main article: [Demographics of Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Afghanistan) Further information: [Afghans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans), [Afghan diaspora](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_diaspora) ### Population The population of Afghanistan was estimated at 35.7 million as of 2024 by the Afghanistan [National Statistics and Information Authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Statistics_and_Information_Authority),[\[27\]](../../page/7/#ref-27 "note 27") whereas the UN estimates over 42.0 million.[\[31\]](../../page/7/#ref-31 "note 31")[488](../../488/ "tree and pragmatics") In 1979 the total population was reported to be about 15.5 million.[\[423\]](../../page/7/#ref-423 "note 423")[489](../../489/ "tree and pragmatics") About 25.3% are [urbanite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_area), 70.4% live in rural areas, and the remaining 4.3% are nomadic.[\[27\]](../../page/7/#ref-27 "note 27")[490](../../490/ "tree and pragmatics") An additional 3 million or so Afghans are temporarily housed in neighboring [Pakistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans_in_Pakistan) and [Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans_in_Iran), most of whom were born and raised in those two countries.[491](../../491/ "tree and pragmatics") As of 2013, Afghanistan was the largest refugee-producing country in the world, a title held for 32 years.[492](../../492/ "tree and pragmatics") The current population growth rate is 2.37%,[\[253\]](../../page/7/#ref-253 "note 253") one of the highest in the world outside of Africa.[493](../../493/ "tree and pragmatics") This population is expected to reach 82 million by 2050 if current population trends continue.[\[424\]](../../page/7/#ref-424 "note 424")[494](../../494/ "tree and pragmatics") The population of Afghanistan increased steadily until the 1980s, when civil war caused millions to flee to other countries such as Pakistan.[\[425\]](../../page/7/#ref-425 "note 425")[495](../../495/ "tree and pragmatics") Millions have since returned and the war conditions contribute to the country having the highest fertility rate outside Africa.[\[426\]](../../page/7/#ref-426 "note 426")[496](../../496/ "tree and pragmatics") Afghanistan's healthcare has recovered since the turn of the century, causing falls in infant mortality and increases in life expectancy, although it has the lowest life expectance of any country outside Africa.[497](../../497/ "tree and pragmatics") This (along with other factors such as returning refugees) caused rapid population growth in the 2000s that has only recently started to slow down.[498](../../498/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Gini coefficient](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gini_coefficient) in 2008 was 27.8.[\[427\]](../../page/7/#ref-427 "note 427")[499](../../499/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Fertility rate Afghanistan 2024 [total fertility rate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_fertility_rate) has been estimated at 4.4.[\[428\]](../../page/7/#ref-428 "note 428")[500](../../500/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2022 it was 4.5, about twice the world average rate.[\[429\]](../../page/7/#ref-429 "note 429")[501](../../501/ "tree and pragmatics") The rate has fallen since the early 1980s.[\[430\]](../../page/7/#ref-430 "note 430")[502](../../502/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Urbanization As estimated by the CIA World Factbook, 26% of the population was urbanized as of 2020.[503](../../503/ "tree and pragmatics") This is one of the lowest figures in the world; in Asia it is only higher than [Cambodia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cambodia) [corpus](../../../Cambodia/ "in our corpus"), [Nepal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nepal) [corpus](../../../Nepal/ "in our corpus") and [Sri Lanka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka) [corpus](../../../Sri_Lanka/ "in our corpus").[504](../../504/ "tree and pragmatics") Urbanization has increased rapidly, particularly in the capital [Kabul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabul) [corpus](../../../Kabul/ "in our corpus"), due to returning refugees from Pakistan and Iran after 2001, internally displaced people, and rural migrants.[\[431\]](../../page/7/#ref-431 "note 431")[505](../../505/ "tree and pragmatics") Urbanization in Afghanistan is different from typical urbanization in that it is centered on just a few cities.[\[432\]](../../page/7/#ref-432 "note 432")[506](../../506/ "tree and pragmatics") Kabul is the largest city, with a population of 5 million.[\[27\]](../../page/7/#ref-27 "note 27")[507](../../507/ "tree and pragmatics") The other large cities are located generally in the "ring" around the Central Highlands, namely [Kandahar](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandahar) in the south, [Herat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herat) in the west, [Mazar-i-Sharif](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazar-i-Sharif), [Kunduz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunduz) in the north, and [Jalalabad](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jalalabad) in the east.[508](../../508/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Ethnicity and languages Main article: [Ethnic groups in Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_groups_in_Afghanistan), [Languages of Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Afghanistan) See also: [Afghans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans) [Afghans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans) are divided into several [ethnolinguistic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnolinguistic_group) groups.[509](../../509/ "tree and pragmatics") The last ethnic census in Afghanistan was conducted in 1979, and was itself incomplete.[510](../../510/ "tree and pragmatics") Due to the [ongoing conflict](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_conflict) in the country, no official census has been conducted since.[\[433\]](../../page/7/#ref-433 "note 433")[\[434\]](../../page/7/#ref-434 "note 434")[511](../../511/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Pashtuns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtuns) are the country's largest ethnic group, forming between 37–46% of the total population,[\[435\]](../../page/7/#ref-435 "note 435")[\[436\]](../../page/7/#ref-436 "note 436")[\[437\]](../../page/7/#ref-437 "note 437")[\[438\]](../../page/7/#ref-438 "note 438")[\[439\]](../../page/7/#ref-439 "note 439") followed by [Tajiks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tajiks) who comprise 27–39%.[\[440\]](../../page/7/#ref-440 "note 440")[\[441\]](../../page/7/#ref-441 "note 441")[\[442\]](../../page/7/#ref-442 "note 442")[\[443\]](../../page/7/#ref-443 "note 443")[512](../../512/ "tree and pragmatics") The other two major ethnic groups are the [Hazaras](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazaras) and [Uzbeks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbeks), each at 9%.[513](../../513/ "tree and pragmatics") A further 10 other ethnic groups are recognized and each are represented in the [Afghan National Anthem](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_National_Anthem).[\[444\]](../../page/7/#ref-444 "note 444")[514](../../514/ "tree and pragmatics") [Dari](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dari) and [Pashto](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashto) are the [official languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_language) of Afghanistan; [bilingualism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bilingualism) is very common.[\[445\]](../../page/7/#ref-445 "note 445")[515](../../515/ "tree and pragmatics") Dari, which is also referred to as Eastern [Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_language) as it is a variety of and mutually intelligible with Persian (and very often called '[Farsi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farsi)' by some Afghans like in [Iran](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran) [corpus](../../../Iran/ "in our corpus")), functions as the [lingua franca](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lingua_franca) in Kabul as well as in much of the northern and northwestern parts of the country.[\[446\]](../../page/7/#ref-446 "note 446")[516](../../516/ "tree and pragmatics") Native speakers of Dari, of any ethnicity, are sometimes called [Farsiwans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farsiwan).[\[447\]](../../page/7/#ref-447 "note 447")[517](../../517/ "tree and pragmatics") Pashto is the native tongue of the [Pashtuns](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtuns), although many of them are also fluent in Dari while some non-Pashtuns are fluent in Pashto.[518](../../518/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite the Pashtuns having been dominant in Afghan politics for centuries, Dari remained the preferred language for government and bureaucracy.[\[448\]](../../page/7/#ref-448 "note 448")[519](../../519/ "tree and pragmatics") According to [CIA World Factbook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_World_Factbook), Dari Persian is spoken by 78% ([L1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_language) + [L2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_language)) and functions as the country's lingua franca, while Pashto is spoken by 50%, [Uzbek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uzbek_language) 10%, English 5%, [Turkmen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkmen_language) 2%, [Urdu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdu) 2%, [Pashayi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashayi_languages) 1%, [Nuristani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuristani_languages) 1%, [Arabic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arabic) 1%, and [Balochi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balochi_language) 1% (2021 est).[520](../../520/ "tree and pragmatics") Data represent the most widely spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because there is much bilingualism in the country and because respondents were allowed to select more than one language.[521](../../521/ "tree and pragmatics") There are a number of smaller regional languages, including Uzbek, Turkmen, Balochi, Pashayi, and Nuristani.[\[253\]](../../page/7/#ref-253 "note 253")[522](../../522/ "tree and pragmatics") When it comes to foreign languages among the populace, many are able to speak or understand [Hindustani](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustani_language) ([Urdu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urdu)-[Hindi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindi)), partly due to returning [Afghan refugees](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans_in_Pakistan) from [Pakistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pakistan) [corpus](../../../Pakistan/ "in our corpus") and the popularity of [Bollywood](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bollywood) films respectively.[\[449\]](../../page/7/#ref-449 "note 449")[523](../../523/ "tree and pragmatics") English is also understood by some of the population,[\[450\]](../../page/7/#ref-450 "note 450") and has been gaining popularity as of the 2000s.[\[451\]](../../page/7/#ref-451 "note 451")[524](../../524/ "tree and pragmatics") Some Afghans retain some ability in Russian, which was [taught in public schools during the 1980s](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_occupation_of_Afghanistan).[\[449\]](../../page/7/#ref-449 "note 449")[525](../../525/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Religion Main article: [Religion in Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religion_in_Afghanistan) The CIA estimated in 2009 that 99.7% of the Afghan population was Muslim[\[253\]](../../page/7/#ref-253 "note 253") and most are thought to adhere to the [Sunni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunni) [Hanafi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanafi) school.[\[452\]](../../page/7/#ref-452 "note 452")[526](../../526/ "tree and pragmatics") According to [Pew Research Center](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pew_Research_Center), as much as 90% are of the Sunni denomination, 7% [Shia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shia) and 3% [non-denominational](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-denominational_Muslim).[\[453\]](../../page/7/#ref-453 "note 453")[527](../../527/ "tree and pragmatics") Conversion away from Islam is persecuted, limiting religious freedom.[\[454\]](../../page/7/#ref-454 "note 454")[528](../../528/ "tree and pragmatics") Afghan [Sikhs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism_in_Afghanistan) and [Hindus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinduism_in_Afghanistan) are also found in certain major cities (namely Kabul, Jalalabad, Ghazni, Kandahar)[\[455\]](../../page/7/#ref-455 "note 455")[\[456\]](../../page/7/#ref-456 "note 456") accompanied by gurdwaras and mandirs.[\[457\]](../../page/7/#ref-457 "note 457")[529](../../529/ "tree and pragmatics") According to [Deutsche Welle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deutsche_Welle) in September 2021, 250 remain in the country after 67 were evacuated to India.[\[458\]](../../page/7/#ref-458 "note 458")[530](../../530/ "tree and pragmatics") There was a small [Jewish community in Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Afghanistan), living mainly in Herat and Kabul.[531](../../531/ "tree and pragmatics") Over the years, this small community was forced to leave due to decades of warfare and religious persecution.[532](../../532/ "tree and pragmatics") By the end of the twentieth century, nearly the entire community had emigrated to Israel and the United States, with one known exception, Herat-born [Zablon Simintov](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zablon_Simintov).[533](../../533/ "tree and pragmatics") He remained for years, being the caretaker of the only remaining Afghan synagogue.[534](../../534/ "tree and pragmatics") He left the country for the US after the second Taliban takeover.[535](../../535/ "tree and pragmatics") A woman who left shortly after him has since been identified as the likely last Jew in Afghanistan.[\[459\]](../../page/7/#ref-459 "note 459")[\[460\]](../../page/7/#ref-460 "note 460")[\[461\]](../../page/7/#ref-461 "note 461")[536](../../536/ "tree and pragmatics") [Afghan Christians](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_Christians), who number 500–8,000, practice their faith secretly due to intense societal opposition, and there are no public churches.[\[462\]](../../page/7/#ref-462 "note 462")[\[463\]](../../page/7/#ref-463 "note 463")[537](../../537/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Education Main article: [Education in Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Afghanistan) [Education in Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_Afghanistan) is overseen by the [Ministry of Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Education_%28Afghanistan%29) and the [Ministry of Higher Education](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Higher_Education_%28Afghanistan%29).[538](../../538/ "tree and pragmatics") There are over 16,000 schools in the country and roughly 9 million students.[539](../../539/ "tree and pragmatics") Of this, about 60% are males and 40% females.[540](../../540/ "tree and pragmatics") However, the new regime has thus far forbidden female teachers and female students from returning to secondary schools.[\[464\]](../../page/7/#ref-464 "note 464")[\[465\]](../../page/7/#ref-465 "note 465")[541](../../541/ "tree and pragmatics") Over 174,000 students are enrolled in different [universities around the country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Afghanistan).[542](../../542/ "tree and pragmatics") About 21% of these are females.[\[466\]](../../page/7/#ref-466 "note 466")[543](../../543/ "tree and pragmatics") Former Education Minister [Ghulam Farooq Wardak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghulam_Farooq_Wardak) had stated that construction of 8,000 schools is required for the remaining children who are deprived of [formal learning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_learning).[\[467\]](../../page/7/#ref-467 "note 467")[544](../../544/ "tree and pragmatics") As of 2018 the literacy rate of the population age 15 and older is 43.02% (males 55.48% and females 29.81%).[\[468\]](../../page/7/#ref-468 "note 468")[545](../../545/ "tree and pragmatics") The top universities in Afghanistan are the [American University of Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_University_of_Afghanistan) (AUAF) followed by [Kabul University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kabul_University) (KU), both of which are located in Kabul.[546](../../546/ "tree and pragmatics") The [National Military Academy of Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Military_Academy_of_Afghanistan), modeled after the [United States Military Academy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Military_Academy) at West Point, was a four-year military development institution dedicated to graduating officers for the [Afghan Armed Forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_Armed_Forces).[547](../../547/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Afghan Defense University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghan_Defense_University) was constructed near [Qargha](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qargha) in Kabul.[548](../../548/ "tree and pragmatics") Major universities outside of Kabul include [Kandahar University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kandahar_University) in the south, [Herat University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herat_University) in the northwest, [Balkh University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkh_University) and [Kunduz University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunduz_University) in the north, [Nangarhar University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nangarhar_University) and [Khost University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khost_University) in the east.[549](../../549/ "tree and pragmatics") After the Taliban regained power in 2021, it became unclear to what extent female education would continue in the country.[550](../../550/ "tree and pragmatics") In March 2022, after they had been closed for some time, it was announced that secondary education would be reopened shortly.[551](../../551/ "tree and pragmatics") However, shortly before reopening, the order was rescinded and schools for older girls remained closed.[\[469\]](../../page/7/#ref-469 "note 469")[552](../../552/ "tree and pragmatics") Despite the ban, six provinces, [Balkh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balkh_Province), [Kunduz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kunduz_Province), [Jowzjan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jowzjan_Province), [Sar-I-Pul](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sar-e_Pol_Province), [Faryab](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faryab_Province), and the [Day Kundi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daykundi_Province), still allow girls' schools from grade 6 and up.[\[470\]](../../page/7/#ref-470 "note 470")[\[471\]](../../page/7/#ref-471 "note 471")[553](../../553/ "tree and pragmatics") In December 2023, investigations were being held by the United Nations on the claim that Afghan girls of all ages were allowed to study at religious schools.[\[472\]](../../page/7/#ref-472 "note 472")[554](../../554/ "tree and pragmatics") As of November 2024, some parts of the country allow women to attend religious schools to pursue dentistry, nursing, and other subjects.[\[473\]](../../page/7/#ref-473 "note 473")[555](../../555/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Health Main article: [Health in Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_in_Afghanistan) According to the [Human Development Index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Development_Index), Afghanistan is the [15th least developed country in the world](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_Human_Development_Index).[556](../../556/ "tree and pragmatics") The average [life expectancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_life_expectancy) is estimated to be around 60 years.[\[474\]](../../page/7/#ref-474 "note 474")[\[475\]](../../page/7/#ref-475 "note 475")[557](../../557/ "tree and pragmatics") The country's [maternal mortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maternal_mortality) rate is 396 deaths/100,000 live births and its [infant mortality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infant_mortality) rate is 66[\[475\]](../../page/7/#ref-475 "note 475") to 112.8 deaths in every 1,000 live births.[\[253\]](../../page/7/#ref-253 "note 253")[558](../../558/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Ministry of Public Health](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Public_Health_%28Afghanistan%29) plans to cut the infant mortality rate to 400 for every 100,000 live births before 2020.[559](../../559/ "tree and pragmatics") The country has more than 3,000 [midwives](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Midwifery), with an additional 300 to 400 being trained each year.[\[476\]](../../page/7/#ref-476 "note 476")[560](../../560/ "tree and pragmatics") There are over 100 [hospitals in Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hospitals_in_Afghanistan),[\[477\]](../../page/7/#ref-477 "note 477") with the most advanced treatments being available in Kabul.[561](../../561/ "tree and pragmatics") The [French Medical Institute for Children](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Medical_Institute_for_Children) and [Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indira_Gandhi_Children%27s_Hospital) in Kabul are the leading [children's hospitals](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_hospital) in the country.[562](../../562/ "tree and pragmatics") Some of the other leading hospitals in Kabul include the [Jamhuriat Hospital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamhuriat_Hospital) and [Jinnah Hospital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jinnah_Hospital_%28Kabul%29).[\[478\]](../../page/7/#ref-478 "note 478")[563](../../563/ "tree and pragmatics") In spite of all this, many Afghans travel to Pakistan and India for advanced treatment.[564](../../564/ "tree and pragmatics") It was reported in 2006 that nearly 60% of the Afghan population lives within a two-hour walk of the nearest health facility.[\[479\]](../../page/7/#ref-479 "note 479")[565](../../565/ "tree and pragmatics") The [disability](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disability) rate is also high in Afghanistan due to the decades of war.[\[480\]](../../page/7/#ref-480 "note 480")[566](../../566/ "tree and pragmatics") It was reported recently that about 80,000 people are missing limbs.[\[481\]](../../page/7/#ref-481 "note 481")[\[482\]](../../page/7/#ref-482 "note 482")[567](../../567/ "tree and pragmatics") Non-governmental charities such as [Save the Children](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Save_the_Children) and [Mahboba's Promise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahboba%27s_Promise) assist orphans in association with governmental structures.[\[483\]](../../page/7/#ref-483 "note 483")[568](../../568/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Culture Main article: [Culture of Afghanistan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_Afghanistan) [Afghans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afghans) have both common cultural features and those that differ between the regions of Afghanistan, each with distinctive cultures partly as a result of geographic obstacles that divide the country.[\[250\]](../../page/7/#ref-250 "note 250")[569](../../569/ "tree and pragmatics") Family is the mainstay of Afghan society and families are often headed by a [patriarch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patriarch).[\[484\]](../../page/7/#ref-484 "note 484")[570](../../570/ "tree and pragmatics") In the southern and eastern region, the people live according to the [Pashtun culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtun_culture) by following [Pashtunwali](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtunwali) (the Pashtun way).[571](../../571/ "tree and pragmatics") Key tenets of Pashtunwali include [hospitality](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melmastia), the provision of [sanctuary](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanawatai) to those seeking refuge, and revenge for the shedding of blood.[\[485\]](../../page/7/#ref-485 "note 485")[572](../../572/ "tree and pragmatics") The Pashtuns are largely connected to the culture of Central Asia and the [Iranian Plateau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iranian_Plateau).[573](../../573/ "tree and pragmatics") The remaining Afghans are culturally [Persian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persianization) and [Turkic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkic_peoples).[574](../../574/ "tree and pragmatics") Some non-Pashtuns who live in proximity with Pashtuns have adopted Pashtunwali in a process called [Pashtunization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pashtunization), while some Pashtuns have been [Persianized](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persianized).[575](../../575/ "tree and pragmatics") Those who have lived in Pakistan and Iran over the last 30 years have been further influenced by the cultures of those neighboring nations.[576](../../576/ "tree and pragmatics") The Afghan people are known to be strongly religious.[\[452\]](../../page/7/#ref-452 "note 452")[577](../../577/ "tree and pragmatics") Afghans, particularly Pashtuns, are noted for their tribal solidarity and high regard for personal honor.[\[486\]](../../page/7/#ref-486 "note 486")[578](../../578/ "tree and pragmatics") There are various [Afghan tribes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethnic_groups_in_Afghanistan), and an estimated 2–3 million [nomads](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kochi_people).[\[487\]](../../page/7/#ref-487 "note 487")[579](../../579/ "tree and pragmatics") Afghan culture is deeply [Islamic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_culture),[\[488\]](../../page/7/#ref-488 "note 488") but pre-Islamic practices persist.[\[489\]](../../page/7/#ref-489 "note 489")[580](../../580/ "tree and pragmatics") [Child marriage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_marriage_in_Afghanistan) is prevalent;[\[490\]](../../page/7/#ref-490 "note 490") in 2017, [Human Rights Watch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_Rights_Watch) described the legal age for marriage of girls as being 16, or 15 with the consent of the father or a judge.[\[491\]](../../page/7/#ref-491 "note 491")[581](../../581/ "tree and pragmatics") The most preferred marriage in Afghan society is to one's [parallel cousin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parallel_cousin), and the groom is often expected to pay a [bride price](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bride_price).[\[492\]](../../page/7/#ref-492 "note 492")[582](../../582/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/) … [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/page/5/) **6** [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/page/7/) - ← previous: [page 5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/page/5/) - next →: [page 7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Afghanistan/page/7/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)