Country Profile: Afghanistan

Afghanistan, a landlocked country in Southern Asia, is characterized by its rugged mountains and arid to semiarid climate. It has a population of approximately 49.5 million people, primarily composed of diverse ethnic groups including Pashtuns, Tajiks, and Hazaras. The economy is low-income and heavily reliant on imports for essential goods, hindered by ongoing sanctions and a fragile recovery post-Taliban takeover in 2021. The governance structure is currently based on a theocratic system established by the Taliban, which has led to significant changes in the political landscape and social freedoms.

Geography

Afghanistan's location is defined by its position north and west of Pakistan and east of Iran, bordered by several countries. The country's terrain is predominantly rugged mountains, particularly the Hindu Kush range, with plains in the northern and southwestern regions. Its land area is approximately 652,230 square kilometers, making it almost six times the size of Virginia.

652,230 sq km - total area of Afghanistan
5,987 km - total land boundaries with neighboring countries
7,492 m - highest point at Noshak
0 km - coastline (landlocked)

People and Society

Afghanistan's population is estimated to be 49,474,805 in 2025, with a median age of 18.4 years. The country is characterized by a rich mosaic of ethnic groups, with Pashtun, Tajik, and Hazara being the largest. The majority of Afghans are Muslim (99.7%), with a literacy rate of approximately 37.3%. Urbanization is on the rise, with around 26.9% of the population living in urban areas.

39.6% - population aged 0-14 years
54.4 years - life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
35.99 births/1,000 - birth rate (2025 est.)
26.9% - urban population (2023)

Economy

The Afghan economy is primarily low-income, heavily reliant on agriculture which accounts for 34.7% of its GDP. Following the Taliban's takeover, the economy witnessed a stabilization phase after a severe contraction, but challenges remain, including widespread poverty and import dependence for food and fuel. In 2023, Afghanistan’s real GDP is estimated at $82.238 billion, with an unemployment rate of around 14%.

$82.238 billion - real GDP (2023 est.)
34.7% - GDP contribution from agriculture (2023 est.)
14% - unemployment rate (2023 est.)
54.5% - population below the poverty line (2016 est.)

Government

Afghanistan is currently recognized as a theocratic state governed by the Taliban, which has not been formally recognized by any country since its takeover in August 2021. The governance structure enforces strict interpretations of Islamic law. The administration consists of a council of ministers, but elections and democratic processes are currently absent.

Kabul - capital city
18 years - minimum voting age
34 - provinces under Taliban governance
3.3% of GDP - military expenditures (2019)

Military and Security

The Taliban claims authority over Afghanistan's military and security forces, consisting of a National Army and police units under its Ministry of Interior. The estimated strength of these forces is around 405,000 personnel. The Taliban faces ongoing challenges, including tensions with neighboring countries and internal resistance groups.

190,000 - estimated military personnel under the Ministry of Defense (2025)
215,000 - estimated personnel under the Ministry of Interior (2025)
3.3% of GDP - military expenditures (2019)

Energy

Afghanistan's energy landscape is marked by a heavy reliance on hydroelectric power, accounting for 77% of its electricity generation capacity. The country has made strides toward increasing electrification, with about 85.3% of the population currently having access to electricity.

627,000 kW - total installed electricity generating capacity (2023 est.)
6.468 billion kWh - total electricity consumption (2023 est.)
85.3% - total population with electricity access (2022)

Environment

Environmental challenges in Afghanistan include limited freshwater resources, soil degradation, and deforestation. The country is party to several international environmental agreements but still faces significant issues related to air and water pollution, particularly in urban areas.

58.4% - agricultural land (2023 est.)
65.33 billion cubic meters - total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
7.757 million metric tonnes - total CO2 emissions (2023 est.)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in Afghanistan includes a network of airports and heliports, with a total of 68 airports as of 2025. The civil aviation sector is developing, but overall transport remains limited due to ongoing security challenges.

68 - total airports (2025)
8 - total heliports (2025)

Communications

Communications in Afghanistan reveal a growing capacity in mobile phone usage, with around 25.6 million mobile cellular subscriptions reported. However, the media landscape has faced restrictions under the Taliban's governance, affecting independent journalism.

25.6 million - total mobile cellular subscriptions (2024 est.)
182,000 - fixed line telephone subscriptions (2023 est.)
18% - internet penetration rate (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	49,474,805 (2025 est.)
Area	652,230 sq km
GDP	$82.238 billion (2023 est.)	Real GDP (PPP)
Unemployment Rate	14% (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	35.99 births/1,000 (2025)
Life Expectancy	54.4 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	37.3% (2021 est.)
Total Fertility Rate	4.89 children/woman (2025)
Electric Access	85.3% (2022 est.)
Population Below Poverty Line	54.5% (2016 est.)