20 Jan 2010

Corruption rife in Afghanistan - report

3:06 pm on 20 January 2010

Almost half the population of Afghanistan had to pay at least one bribe to a public official last year, a United Nations report suggests.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has revealed that corruption is seen as the biggest single issue in Afghanistan. Its report is based on interviews of 7,600 people in towns and villages across the country, the BBC says.

The UNODC says corruption contributes to terrorism and drug trafficking, and is the biggest obstacle to security and development.

Its says almost 60% of Afghans see corruption as a bigger concern than unemployment or insecurity.