During the time of the Soviet occupation, over six million people fled the country. Although many returned after the Soviet withdrawal, there are still over two million Afghan refugees in Iran and Pakistan, making Afghans the largest single refugee group in the world. Inside the country, the infrastructure and institutions of state have been largely destroyed by the conflict. According to the UN, the socio-economic conditions of the population are amongst the worst in the world. Healthcare is rudimentary and many are without access to basic healthcare provision.
Maternal mortality is one of the highest in the world.
Literacy rates are extremely low and are estimated to have dropped as low as four per cent for women. Afghanistan is ranked bottom of the UN gender development index.