Afghanistan has completed five years under Taliban rule, a period marked by sweeping social restrictions, particularly on women and girls, tighter controls over the media and the return of public corporal punishment.

The Taliban captured Kabul on August 15, 2021, following the collapse of the previous Afghan government and the withdrawal of US-led international forces. Five years later, the group has consolidated its control over the country, while Afghanistan's economy has recorded some signs of recovery.

However, the economic improvements have taken place alongside continued international criticism over human rights and restrictions on fundamental freedoms.

Taliban Seizes Kabul

The Taliban entered Kabul on August 15, 2021, bringing the previous government to an abrupt end.

Commercial flights were suspended as thousands of Afghans rushed towards Hamid Karzai International Airport in an attempt to leave the country. Images of people attempting to cling to a departing US Air Force C-17 aircraft became one of the defining scenes of the chaotic evacuation.

The Taliban initially promised that women would retain their rights within an Islamic framework and that people who had worked with the previous government or foreign forces would receive amnesty.

Those assurances were followed by a series of increasingly restrictive policies.

Women Face Severe Restrictions

Afghanistan has become the only country where girls are formally barred from secondary education and women are excluded from university education under Taliban policy.

The restrictions extend beyond education. Women have faced limits on employment, travel, access to public spaces and other areas of daily life.

According to United Nations findings cited in the report, the Taliban has issued more than 100 decrees affecting women since 2021.

A UN survey found that around seven in ten Afghan women described their mental health as bad or very bad. More than half said they left their homes only once or twice a month, while nearly three-quarters reported feeling unsafe outside without a male guardian.

Women also account for only a small share of formal employment compared with men.

Public Punishment Returns

Corporal punishment has also returned as a visible feature of Afghanistan's justice system.

According to Human Rights Watch, courts ordered corporal punishment in at least 18 cases between August 2021 and November 2022, with many involving offences classified as moral crimes.

In December 2022, 27 people were publicly flogged before a crowd at a stadium in Parwan province.

While corporal punishment existed under previous Afghan governments as well, rights organisations have criticised the Taliban for implementing such punishments more openly and regularly.

Media Freedom Under Pressure

Afghanistan's media sector has also undergone major changes since the Taliban takeover.

The Committee to Protect Journalists has described the country as one of the world's most difficult environments for journalists. Numerous Afghan journalists have left the country since 2021 amid security concerns and restrictions.

Among the measures reported during Taliban rule are restrictions on live political broadcasts, limitations on criticism of Taliban leadership and tighter controls over the selection of guests appearing on television programmes.

The Taliban has also expanded its own media presence. By 2025, it reportedly controlled or directly influenced a significant network of television, radio, newspaper and digital media outlets.

Economy Shows Recovery

Despite sanctions, international isolation and reduced foreign assistance, Afghanistan's economy has shown some signs of stabilisation.

According to the World Bank, real GDP grew by 4.8% in 2025, while domestic government revenue increased to around 19.8% of GDP.

However, the recovery has not translated into broad improvements in living standards. Per-capita income remains below pre-2021 levels, while limited banking access, electricity shortages, dependence on imports and a large informal economy continue to constrain growth.

The reduction in foreign aid has also placed additional pressure on households and businesses.

Opium Production Falls

One of the most significant changes under Taliban rule has been the dramatic decline in poppy cultivation.

Afghanistan was the world's largest source of opium when the Taliban returned to power. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime had estimated that the country accounted for a substantial share of global opium production.

After the Taliban announced a ban on poppy cultivation in April 2022, cultivation fell sharply. UNODC reported a 95% decline in poppy cultivation in 2023.

The reduction has been welcomed from a narcotics-control perspective, although it has also created economic difficulties for farmers who previously depended on poppy cultivation for income.

Russia Recognises Taliban Government

Afghanistan's diplomatic position has also evolved since 2021.

Russia became the first country to formally recognise the Taliban government, marking a significant development in the group's international relations.

The Taliban has said it maintains diplomatic contacts with around 40 countries and argues that it has met conditions required for wider recognition.

India has increased diplomatic engagement with Kabul without formally recognising the Taliban government. In October 2025, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi visited India, marking the first visit by a senior Taliban government official to the country.

China and the United Arab Emirates have also accepted ambassadors appointed by the Taliban, although neither country has formally recognised the government.

Five Years of Contrasting Developments

Five years after the Taliban's return to power, Afghanistan presents a mixed picture.

The authorities have maintained territorial control, increased domestic revenue and sharply reduced poppy cultivation. At the same time, restrictions on women and girls, pressure on journalists and the use of corporal punishment have drawn sustained criticism from international organisations.

The country's future remains closely tied to whether the Taliban can balance economic recovery with demands for greater rights and freedoms, while also seeking wider international acceptance.

For millions of Afghans, the fifth anniversary therefore represents not only a change in political leadership but also a profound transformation of everyday life.