Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a mosaic of ethnic groups — Pashtuns, the largest, along with Tajiks, Hazaras, Uzbeks, and others — speaking mainly Pashto and Dari, the two official languages.

The population is almost entirely Muslim, predominantly Sunni with a Shia (largely Hazara) minority. Islam is central to law and society under Taliban rule.

Society

Afghanistan has very low literacy and life expectancy and a young, fast-growing population. Under the Taliban, women and girls have been barred from secondary and higher education and most employment.