Survey finds security, economy major concerns for Afghans as war spreads, unemployment rises

KABUL, Afghanistan – A nationwide survey has found Afghans most concerned about lack of security and the economy amid an escalating war with the Taliban and rising unemployment.

The San Francisco-based Asia Foundation released its annual survey Tuesday. It polled 9,586 Afghan citizens across 34 provinces, both men and women.

The survey shows 36.7 percent of respondents believe the country is moving in the right direction, down from 54.7 percent in 2014. It's the lowest level of optimism recorded over the past 10 years.

Also, 42.7 percent of Afghans polled are concerned about the lack of security, up from 34.1 percent last year and at its highest level since 2007 — coming after the withdrawal of international combat troops at the end of 2014. The poll had a 1.6 percent margin of error.