In Brief: Nine million Afghans living on less than a dollar a day - survey

Photo: Abdullah Shaheen/IRIN

Nine million Afghans survive on less than 66 US cents a day

KABUL, 5 November 2009 (IRIN) - The average per capita monthly expenditure of nine million Afghans is less than 66 US cents a day, and millions of other Afghans spend about $42 a month, according to a summary of Afghanistan’s new National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment (NRVA).

NRVA 2007/08 was produced by the government with European Union funding and in collaboration with aid agencies.

A bleak picture is painted:

• 26 percent literacy rate (12 percent female and 39 male)
• 24 percent of all child deliveries are attended by a skilled birth attendant
• Less than 30 percent of people have access to safe drinking water
• Over 90 percent do not have access to proper sanitation
• About 20 percent have electricity in their homes.
• Half of the estimated population of 25 million is under 15

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