Afghanistan's population is confronted with a growing number of environmental issues, such as

unrelenting deforestation and land degradation, uncontrolled urbanization and solid waste disposal,
worsening air and water pollution, groundwater depletion, illegal wildlife hunting and timber trade,
expanding mining footprint, including informal artisanal quarrying, limited renewable energy
alternatives, and more frequent and severe floods, droughts, and landslides.

Afghanistan has the fourth-highest crime rate. Crime is present in various forms, including
assassinations/contract killings, drug trafficking, kidnapping, and money laundering. Afghanistan
supplied 85% of the world's illicit opium in 2020. The Taliban, which regained control of the country in
2021, has pledged to stamp out the opium industry, but it is such a vital part of the country's struggling
economy that it will be difficult to eliminate. Widespread unemployment adds additional fuel for many
of the country's crimes, such as robbery and assault.