Quick facts
Afghanistan population overview
Afghanistan is the 15th most populous of 52 countries and territories in Asia. The United Nations put the population at 44,438,705 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.7% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 3,297 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 1,502,028 births (33.8 per 1,000 people) and 244,413 deaths (5.5 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 53,326 people. The infant mortality rate is 40 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 9,035,043 in 1960 to 43,844,111 in 2025 — a change of +385.3%, or +2.5% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 17.4 years; life expectancy at birth is 66.8 years; women have on average 4.8 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 42.6% of residents are under 15 and 2.4% are 65 or older (2025); 25.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Kabul. Afghanistan covers 652,870 km², giving a population density of about 69.5 people per km². GDP was $17.78B in 2024 — about $417 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Afghanistan population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 45,399,094 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 44,438,705 |
| World rank | #36 of 238 |
| Rank in Asia | #15 of 52 |
| Share of world population | 0.5% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.7% |
| Births per year est. | 1,502,028 |
| Deaths per year est. | 244,413 |
| Net migration per year est. | -53,326 |
| Birth rate | 33.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 5.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 40 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 102.1 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 17.4 years |
| Life expectancy | 66.8 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4.8 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 25.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 652,870 km² |
| Population density | 69.5 per km² |
| Capital | Kabul |
| GDP (current US$) 2024 | $17.78B |
| GDP per capita 2024 | $417 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Afghanistan population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 45,399,094 | – | – |
| 2025 | 43,844,111 | +1,196,619 | +2.8% |
| 2024 | 42,647,492 | +1,192,731 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 41,454,761 | +875,919 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | 40,578,842 | +578,430 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 40,000,412 | +931,433 | +2.4% |
| 2020 | 39,068,979 | +5,237,215 | +2.9% |
| 2015 | 33,831,764 | +5,547,675 | +3.6% |
| 2010 | 28,284,089 | +3,879,522 | +3% |
| 2005 | 24,404,567 | +4,274,240 | +3.9% |
| 2000 | 20,130,327 | +3,064,491 | +3.4% |
| 1995 | 17,065,836 | +5,020,176 | +7.2% |
| 1990 | 12,045,660 | +618,808 | +1.1% |
| 1985 | 11,426,852 | -1,742,459 | -2.8% |
| 1980 | 13,169,311 | +395,357 | +0.6% |
| 1975 | 12,773,954 | +1,483,826 | +2.5% |
| 1970 | 11,290,128 | +1,254,120 | +2.4% |
| 1965 | 10,036,008 | +1,000,965 | +2.1% |
| 1960 | 9,035,043 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Afghanistan
Population over time
- From 9,035,043 in 1960 to 45,399,094 today — up 402.5%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +2.6% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 66.3 years (2024), up 33.5 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.8 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 35 births vs 5.7 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 29.3 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 42.6% of the population is under 15 and 2.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 2.8% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 12.07 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 12.49 Mt in 2021 — down 3.3% since.
- Per person: 0.28 t in 2024, vs 0.15 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 20% of final energy in 2022 (-3 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 1.9% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
Urban population (% of total)
- 25.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 8.1% in 1960 (+17.8 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: medium–high — freshwater withdrawals are 43% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 1,162 m³ in 2022, down 76.8% since 1962.
Economy
- GDP: $17.78B in 2024.
- Nominal GDP is down 13.3% since 2014.
- That works out to $417 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 13.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: -6.6% in 2024.
Internet & mobile
- 16.1% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 60.1 per 100 people (2024).
Afghanistan in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Afghanistan in 2026?
As of October 2026, Afghanistan has an estimated population of 45,399,094. The United Nations estimated 44,438,705 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.7% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Afghanistan growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.7% per year — roughly 3,297 more people every day. Each year there are about 1,502,028 births and 244,413 deaths, with net migration of -53,326.
What is the population density of Afghanistan?
About 69.5 people per square kilometre: 45,399,094 people living on 652,870 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Afghanistan?
The median age is 17.4 years, and life expectancy at birth is 66.8 years. 42.6% of the population is under 15 and 2.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Afghanistan rank by population?
Afghanistan is the 36th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 15th in Asia, with 0.5% of the global population.
How has the population of Afghanistan changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 9,035,043; by 2025 it had grown to 43,844,111 (+385.3%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
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AlgeriaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.7%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.