KABUL: Afghanistan has again been ranked the worst country in the world for children, placing last among 194 countries in the 2026 Children’s Rights Index.
The annual index, released by the Netherlands-based KidsRights Foundation in collaboration with Erasmus University Rotterdam, assessed countries on life and health, education, protection and the overall environment for children’s rights.
Afghanistan scored 0.214 in 2026, compared with 0.209 in 2024 and 0.206 in 2025, remaining at the bottom of the global ranking.
Children face severe risks
The report said conflict, insecurity, poverty and weak living conditions continue to undermine the rights and wellbeing of children, especially in fragile countries.
“Children are increasingly exposed to risks they did not create and cannot control,” said Marc Dullaert, founder and chairman of KidsRights.
The report said Afghan girls face particularly serious challenges, including restrictions on education and gender-based discrimination under Taliban rule.
Since returning to power, the Taliban have banned girls from secondary education beyond grade six, sharply limiting access to schooling.
Poverty and climate threats
The index also pointed to weak child protection systems, poor data collection, limited education funding and food insecurity.
Around half of Afghan children face acute food poverty, while UNICEF has warned that more than 8.8 million children are exposed to droughts, floods and heatwaves.
