Afghanistan
Country statistics · 1990–present
Afghanistan at a Glance
Afghanistan is home to 42.6 million people as of 2024, with a population that is growing very rapidly. At a GDP per capita of $448, it is a low-income economy — reflecting an economy where significant development opportunity remains. Life expectancy at birth stands at 66.3 years, below the global average.
Population Trends
The total resident population stood at 42.6 million as of 2024. With a birth rate of 35.0 and a death rate of 5.7 per 1,000 people (2024), the natural growth rate stands at 29.3 per 1,000 — equivalent to roughly 1 million additional residents each year from natural change alone.
Economy & Development
Afghanistan is a small economy, with a total GDP that stood at $20 billion (2025). At $448 per person, it is classified as a low-income economy — reflecting an economy where significant development opportunity remains. The economy recorded solid growth of 3.0% in 2025.
Health & Society
Life expectancy at birth is 66.3 years (2024), below the global average. Current health expenditure per person is $59 (2023), representing very low per-capita healthcare spending, a common constraint in lower-income economies. The adult literacy rate stands at 37.3% (2021), reflecting literacy rates that remain a key development focus. 16.1% of the population use the internet (2024), indicating limited internet penetration, with significant scope for digital expansion. Access to safe drinking water reaches 30.6% of the population (2024), representing limited safe drinking water access, a significant public health priority.