Politics & Government Guide in Afghanistan

Political system, governance structure, stability indicators, and democratic institutions

Afghanistan is ruled by the Taliban as the internationally unrecognized Islamic Emirate since 2021, functioning as a closed autocracy with no elections, separation of powers, or political participation. Governance is based on Sharia law enforced by the Supreme Leader and Leadership Council in Kandahar, amid severe human rights restrictions and economic stagnation. No country recognizes the regime formally.

Political Stability

Poor

Corruption Index

Poor

Democracy Index

Poor

Government Type

Unitary Islamic theocratic emirate

Legal System

Sharia law

Head of State

Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada(since 2021)

Head of Government

Prime Minister Mullah Hasan Akhund(Taliban)since 2021

Political Indicators

Political Stability

0.12Rank #192

Scale: 0-1

Very unstable

World Bank (2024)

Corruption Index

20Rank #150

Scale: 0-100

Transparency International (2024)

Press Freedom

23.5Rank #160

Scale: 0-100

Reporters Without Borders (2024)

Democracy Index

0.32Rank #167

Scale: 0-10

Authoritarian regime

Economist Intelligence Unit (2024)

Legislature

Type:unicameral

Upper House:Leadership Council

Major Political Parties

Taliban(IEA)

Islamic fundamentalist

0 seats

Voting Rights

No elections held; no suffrage or voting rights granted by the Taliban government

Recent Developments

Taliban strengthened centralized rule under Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada in 2024
No elections planned; political parties banned as un-Islamic in 2023-2024
Plans for constitutional commission announced but not implemented as of 2024

SuffrageNone

Provinces34