KABUL: A large informal survey conducted by Afghan news outlet Zawia News has indicated widespread dissatisfaction with the Taliban, with around 75 per cent of respondents expressing opposition to the group and saying its performance has failed to meet their expectations.
The survey, published under the title How satisfied are you with the Taliban, and to what extent have your expectations of the group been met?, drew participation from approximately 1.7 million people through Facebook, X and WhatsApp, according to the outlet.
75 per cent of Afghans are dissatisfied with Taliban
The published findings showed that about 75 per cent of respondents were dissatisfied with the Taliban’s rule, while 21 per cent expressed a little bit satisfaction. A further 3.6 per cent described themselves as neutral.
Zawia News said the survey generated extensive public engagement over a four-day period, receiving nearly 14,000 written comments and messages, more than 10,500 reactions, almost 9,000 social media comments and 3,652 WhatsApp messages.
According to the report, nearly one-third (32.2 per cent) of the WhatsApp messages were submitted by individuals identifying themselves as Taliban members or lower-ranking fighters.
Majority of Afghans criticise Taliban’s financial and administrative corruption
Many of these respondents criticised financial and administrative corruption, favouritism in appointments and the preferential treatment given to associates of senior Taliban leaders.
Some said they had fought against the former Afghan republic but had received neither official positions nor financial benefits since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Others complained of worsening economic conditions affecting their families.
Among the broader group of dissatisfied respondents, the most frequently cited concerns included the continued ban on girls’ education, restrictions on women’s employment, the Taliban’s lack of international legitimacy, deepening poverty, economic stagnation, administrative corruption and uncertainty over Afghanistan’s future.
A small number of respondents who supported the Taliban pointed to improved security, the dismantling of the influence of powerful local figures and progress on certain infrastructure projects as the administration’s principal achievements.
Gender imbalance
Women accounted for only five per cent of those who participated in the survey, highlighting a significant gender imbalance in the responses.
A study released by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in March 2024 found that 96 per cent of women surveyed opposed international recognition of the Taliban, while only four per cent supported recognition without changes.
Separately, UN Women reported in August 2025 that 92 per cent of Afghans surveyed backed girls’ education, indicating broad public support for restoring educational opportunities for girls despite the Taliban’s continuing restrictions.
