A new report by UN investigators says more than 3,500 civilians were killed in 2015 and almost 7,500 wounded.
The total of just over 11,000 is 4 per cent above the 2014 level.
The United Nations says 2015 was the worst year for Afghan civilian casualties since the UN began tracking data back in 2009.
The statistics have been revealed in the annual UN report entitled "Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict".
The head of the UN assistance mission in Afghanistan, Nicholas Haysom, says there has been a significant increase in Afghan casualties.
"The most important finding is that 11,002 Afghans -- civilians, non-combatants -- have died or were injured in 2015. This figure surpasses by 4 per cent the same figure for 2014."
The UN report found fighting between militants and Afghan government forces produced the most civilian deaths, followed by so-called Improvised Explosive Devices.
UN Human Rights Program director Danielle Bell says fighting in the capital Kabul and the city of Kunduz has been the deadliest.
She says there has also been a marked increase in women's and children's casualties.
"The overall 4 per cent increase resulted mainly from a rise in suicide and complex attacks carried out in Kabul city, as well as the Taliban offensive in Kunduz last year. In most parts of Afghanistan in 2015, civilian casualties decreased. Of the 11,002 civilian casualties, one in ten was a woman, and one in four was a child. Women casualties increased by 37 per cent, while child casualties increased by 14 per cent."
Afghan forces took over combat operations when NATO's fighting mission ended in 2014.
The Afghan forces have struggled against mainly Taliban militants seeking to reinstate their power over the country.
Almost 10,000 United States troops remain in Afghanistan to support the government fighters.
Under current plans, that number is due to fall to 5,500 by the end of this year.
In October, US president Barack Obama acknowledged the difficulties facing Afghan troops and promised President Ashraf Ghani help until the ground troops are more capable.
"The bottom line is, in key areas of the country, the security situation is still very fragile, and, in some places, there's risk of deterioration. President Ghani and I agreed to continue our counterterrorism operation, and he has asked for continued support as Afghan forces grow stronger."
Nicholas Haysom of the UN assistance mission says all parties in Afghanistan must do more to prevent civilian deaths.
"We recognise that all the parties to the conflict have agreed on the need to avoid civilian casualities, but what we need to see are those same parties going beyond public statements to change the way they conduct the war. What I want to do is, next year when we release our report for 2016, to be able to report to you that there has been a significant drop in civilian casualties."
While no official figures are available for this year, dozens of people have already been killed by fighting in Baghlan, Nangarhar and Helmand provinces.
UN officials says they fear that trend may continue if nothing is done to ease the mounting political, economic and security challenges facing Afghanistan in 2016.
Share
