At a glance
China vs Afghanistan: 28 indicators side by side
| Indicator |  China |  Afghanistan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 👥 Population | |||
| Population people | 1,411,974,134 | 45,400,503 | China 31× |
| Population growth rate % per year | -0.2 | +2.7 | -2.9 pts |
| Population density people per km² | 147.72026 | 69.52026 | +78.1 |
| Surface area km² | 9,562,9102023 | 652,8702023 | China 15× |
| Birth rate births per 1,000 people | 6.82024 | 352024 | -28.2 |
| Death rate deaths per 1,000 people | 7.82024 | 5.72024 | +2.1 |
| Net migration rate per 1,000 people per year | -0.2 | -1.2 | +1 |
| Urban population % of population | 66.32025 | 25.92025 | +40.4 pts |
| Sex ratio males per 100 females | 103.6 | 102.1 | +1.5 |
| ❤️ Demographics & Health | |||
| Life expectancy years | 782024 | 66.32024 | +11.7 |
| Fertility rate births per woman | 1.012024 | 4.762024 | -3.75 |
| Median age years | 40.6 | 17.4 | +23.2 |
| Infant mortality deaths per 1,000 live births | 5.4 | 40 | -34.6 |
| Population under 15 % of population | 15.42025 | 42.62025 | -27.2 pts |
| Population aged 65+ % of population | 14.92025 | 2.42025 | +12.5 pts |
| 💰 Economy | |||
| GDP current US$ | $19.50T2025 | $17.78B2024 | China 1,097× |
| GDP per capita current US$ | $13,8622025 | $4172024 | China 33× |
| Unemployment rate % of labor force | 4.62025 | 13.42025 | -8.7 pts |
| Inflation rate % annual, consumer prices | 0.12025 | -6.62024 | +6.7 pts |
| 🌱 Environment & Energy | |||
| CO₂ emissions Mt CO₂ per year | 13,1252024 | 12.072024 | China 1,088× |
| CO₂ emissions per capita tonnes per person | 9.322024 | 0.282024 | +9.03 |
| Energy use per capita kg of oil equivalent per person | 2,8512023 | – | – |
| Renewable energy share % of final energy | 15.22021 | 202022 | -4.8 pts |
| Forest area % of land area | 242023 | 1.92023 | +22.2 pts |
| Freshwater resources per capita m³ per person per year | 1,9922022 | 1,1622022 | China 1.7× |
| Water stress % of resources withdrawn | 20.22022 | 432022 | -22.8 pts |
| 📶 Digital | |||
| Internet users % of population | 91.62025 | 16.12024 | +75.5 pts |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 131.82024 | 60.12024 | +71.7 |
▲ 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 China minus Afghanistan for rates and shares. Years in grey are the latest available for that country.
China compared with Afghanistan
China has a live population of about 1,411,974,134 (#2 in the world) and Afghanistan about 45,400,503 (#36), so China has 31.1 times as many people as Afghanistan. China is growing at -0.2% a year and Afghanistan at 2.7%.
By area China is larger: 9,562,910 km² against 652,870 km², which gives population densities of 147.7 people per km² in China and 69.5 in Afghanistan.
China's economy is worth $19.50T (2025) and Afghanistan's $17.78B (2024); per person that is $13,862 in China versus $417 in Afghanistan, so the average China resident produces 33.3 times as much.
Life expectancy is 78 years in China and 66.3 in Afghanistan; women have 1 children on average in China compared with 4.8 in Afghanistan; the median age is 40.6 versus 17.4 years.
66.3% of China's people live in cities against 25.9% in Afghanistan; 91.6% use the internet in China and 16.1% in Afghanistan; CO₂ emissions per person are 9.3 t in China and 0.3 t in Afghanistan.
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, China or Afghanistan?
By population China is bigger: 1,411,974,134 people versus 45,400,503 (live estimates, October 2026). By area China is larger (9,562,910 km² vs 652,870 km²).
Which has the larger economy, China or Afghanistan?
China: GDP of $19,498,039,388,043 versus $17,778,508,876 in current US dollars (World Bank, 2025/2024).
Where do people live longer, China or Afghanistan?
Life expectancy at birth is 78 years in China and 66.3 years in Afghanistan, a difference of 11.7 years in favour of China.
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.
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