At a glance
Afghanistan vs Canada: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  Afghanistan |  Canada | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 45,402,655 | 40,562,765 | Afghanistan 1.1× |
| Population growth rate % per year | +2.7 | +0.8 | +1.9 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 69.52026 | 2.62026 | +66.9 |
| Surface area km² | 652,8702023 | 15,634,4102023 | Canada 24× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 352024 | 8.92024 | +26.1 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 5.72024 | 7.92024 | -2.2 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | -1.2 | +7.2 | -8.4 |
| Urban population % of population | 25.92025 | 82.92025 | -56.9 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 102.1 | 98.6 | +3.5 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 66.32024 | 82.12024 | -15.8 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 4.762024 | 1.252024 | +3.51 |
| Median age years | 17.4 | 40.8 | -23.4 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 40 | 3.8 | +36.2 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 42.62025 | 152025 | +27.6 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 2.42025 | 20.32025 | -17.8 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $17.78B2024 | $2.32T2025 | Canada 130× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $4172024 | $55,6982025 | Canada 134× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 13.42025 | 6.92025 | +6.4 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | -6.62024 | 2.12025 | -8.7 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 12.072024 | 5782024 | Canada 48× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 0.282024 | 14.012024 | -13.72 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | – | 7,1612024 | – |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 202022 | 23.82021 | -3.8 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 1.92023 | 39.52023 | -37.6 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 1,1622022 | 73,1702022 | Canada 63× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 432022 | 1.32022 | +41.7 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 16.12024 | 94.42024 | -78.3 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 60.12024 | 94.12024 | -34 |
▲ marks the higher value (for death rate, infant mortality, unemployment, inflation, CO₂ and water stress: the lower value). "Difference" is the ratio for absolute measures and Afghanistan minus Canada for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
Afghanistan compared with Canada
Afghanistan has a live population of about 45,402,655 (#36 in the world) and Canada about 40,562,765 (#38), so Afghanistan has 1.1 times as many people as Canada. Afghanistan is growing at 2.7% a year and Canada at 0.8%.
By area Canada is larger: 15,634,410 km² against 652,870 km², which gives population densities of 69.5 people per km² in Afghanistan and 2.6 in Canada.
Afghanistan's economy is worth $17.78B (2024) and Canada's $2.32T (2025); per person that is $417 in Afghanistan versus $55,698 in Canada, so the average Canada resident produces 133.6 times as much.
Life expectancy is 66.3 years in Afghanistan and 82.1 in Canada; women have 4.8 children on average in Afghanistan compared with 1.3 in Canada; the median age is 17.4 versus 40.8 years.
25.9% of Afghanistan's people live in cities against 82.9% in Canada; 16.1% use the internet in Afghanistan and 94.4% in Canada; CO₂ emissions per person are 0.3 t in Afghanistan and 14 t in Canada.
Population over time
Life expectancy & fertility
Birth & death rates
Age structure
CO₂ emissions
Energy use & renewables
Forest area
Urban population
Water resources & stress
Economy
Unemployment & inflation
Internet & mobile
Frequently asked questions
Which is bigger, Afghanistan or Canada?
By population Afghanistan is bigger: 45,402,655 people versus 40,562,765 (live estimates, October 2026). By area Canada is larger (15,634,410 km² vs 652,870 km²).
Which has the larger economy, Afghanistan or Canada?
Canada: GDP of $2,319,899,772,426 versus $17,778,508,876 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2024/2025).
Where do people live longer, Afghanistan or Canada?
Life expectancy at birth is 66.3 years in Afghanistan and 82.1 years in Canada, a difference of 15.8 years in favour of Canada.
How are these comparisons calculated?
Live populations extrapolate the UN World Population Prospects baseline with each country's growth rate; every other figure is the latest value published by World Bank Open Data (or the UN for median age, infant mortality and migration). Each row shows the year of the figure, and the charts below overlay the full historical series of both countries.
Explore more
Afghanistan vs India
Afghanistan vs China
Afghanistan vs Indonesia
Afghanistan vs Pakistan
Afghanistan vs Argentina
Afghanistan vs Yemen
Afghanistan vs Iraq
Canada vs United States
Canada vs Mexico
Canada vs Guatemala
Canada vs Haiti
Canada vs Ukraine
Canada vs Angola
Canada vs MoroccoSources & method: live populations are linear extrapolations of the UN World Population Prospects estimates; all other indicators are the latest values from World Bank Open Data (UN WPP for median age, infant mortality, sex ratio and net migration). Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.