2009 har for Afghanistan været et vanskeligt år i en sikkerhedsmæssig, social og politisk forstand. Men rent økonomisk har landet haft fremgang. En rapport fra Verdensbanken melder om en historisk høj vækst i BNP på 22,5 % samt en lav inflation (2 %).

Forventningerne for 2010-2011 er dog mere beskedne. Det estimeres at væksten i BNP vil være lidt over 8% og inflationsraten under de 5%.

LANDBRUGSSEKTOREN ER CENTRAL
GDP growth between 2009 and 2010 is estimated to have reached 22.5%, a record since 2003-4. A strong rebound in agriculture (53%), helped mainly by ample and well-distributed rainfall is behind the surge in growth.

Wheat production nearly doubled to 5 million tonnes compared to a preceding five year average of 3.4 million tonnes. Services continued to grow in double digits, led by government services, financial sector and transport services.

Mining is booming as well with near 30% growth in the last two years.

Afghanistan also achieved a remarkable surge in domestic revenues during 2009/10, collecting 53% more than the previous year and 16% more than budgeted. Improved tax administration underpins much of the revenue increase. Domestic revenue collection increased by 68% and custom duties surged by 48%.

STADIG UDBREDT FATTIGDOM
Robust growth and low inflation has reduced poverty in Afghanistan. Though the poverty-ratio was estimated at 36% in 2007/2008, nearly half the Afghan population lives on less than 120% of the poverty line.

Outside of harvest seasons, more people drift into poverty including those living in harsh, inaccessible areas that tend to be poorer than average.