Corruption in Afghanistan has doubled in two years since 2007, according to a survey by an international nonprofit corruption watchdog published today.
The group, Integrity Watch, said Afghans paid nearly $1 billion in bribes in 2009.
In a poll of some 6,500 Afghans, almost one-third of those surveyed said they had to pay a bribe to receive a public service.
More than half said the Taliban was gaining in strength because of state corruption.
Integrity Watch said corruption had become so entrenched that it threatened the multibillion-dollar efforts of the international community to help end nearly nine years of conflict, and rebuild Afghanistan after 30 years of war.
compiled from agency reports