Country Profile: Afghanistan

Afghanistan, located in Southern Asia, serves as a historical crossroads and has been shaped by its rugged geography and tumultuous political history. Home to a population of over 40 million, the country faces significant challenges with poverty and development amid ongoing political transformations. The economy, largely reliant on agriculture and natural resources, struggles with international sanctions and limited domestic production. Recent changes in governance have introduced a theocratic system under the Taliban, significantly impacting civil liberties and societal structure.

Geography

Afghanistan is a landlocked country characterized by rugged mountains and arid to semiarid climate. Its terrain features the Hindu Kush mountains, which divide the northern provinces from the southern regions. The country covers an area of 652,230 square kilometers, with major rivers such as the Amu Darya and Helmand.

Land area: 652,230 sq km total.
Major rivers: Amu Darya (2,620 km), Helmand River (1,130 km).
Natural hazards: prone to earthquakes, flooding, and droughts.
Climate: arid to semiarid with cold winters and hot summers.
Natural resources: includes natural gas, coal, copper, and precious stones.

People and Society

Afghanistan's population is approximately 40 million, consisting of a diverse mix of ethnic groups, including Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks. The majority of the population is Muslim, with a significant youth demographic. The country faces high rates of poverty and low literacy, particularly among women.

Population (2024 est.): 40,121,552.
Life expectancy: 54.4 years.
Youth dependency ratio: 77.5 (2024 est.).
Urban population: 26.9% (2023).
Literacy rate: 37% (2021 est.).
Birth rate: 34.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.).

Economy

The Afghan economy is considered low-income and heavily dependent on imports. Following the Taliban's takeover, the economy experienced significant contractions but shows signs of stabilization. Agriculture forms a substantial part of the economy, yet widespread poverty hampers development efforts.

Real GDP (PPP, 2023 est.): $82.238 billion.
GDP per capita (PPP, 2023 est.): $2,000.
Unemployment rate: 13.3% (2024 est.).
Agriculture sector contribution: 34.7% of GDP (2023 est.).
Population below poverty line: 54.5% (2016 est.).

Government

Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has been governed under a theocratic system, with significant restrictions on political freedoms. The Taliban uses strict interpretations of Islamic law, and the country remains unrecognized by many nations.

Government type: theocratic, under significant Taliban control.
Capital: Kabul.
Last election: held on 28 September 2019.
Suffrage: universal at 18 years of age.
Legal system: based on Islamic law.

Military and Security

The Taliban claims authority over Afghanistan’s military and police forces, focusing on maintaining internal and border security. They have amassed significant military strength, but the country remains fraught with challenges from various terrorist groups.

Total military personnel: 190,000 under the Ministry of Defense (2025).
Military expenditures: 3.3% of GDP (2019).
Service age: voluntary, no conscription.

Energy

Afghanistan's energy sector is primarily reliant on hydroelectric power, complemented by fossil fuels and solar energy. Access to electricity remains a challenge, especially in rural areas.

Electricity access: 85.3% of the total population (2022 est.).
Installed generating capacity: 627,000 kW (2023 est.).
Renewable energy sources: 77% from hydroelectricity (2023 est.).

Environment

The country faces significant environmental issues, including limited freshwater resources, deforestation, and soil degradation. Urban areas struggle with pollution and inadequate sanitation provisions.

Environmental agreements: party to Biodiversity, Climate Change treaties, and more.
Urban population: 26.9% of total (2023).

Transportation

Afghanistan has a limited transportation infrastructure, consisting of several airports and heliports, which are crucial for connectivity within and outside the country.

Airports: 68 (2025).
Heliports: 8 (2025).

Communications

The communications sector has faced challenges due to the political climate, impacting the media landscape and internet access for the population.

Mobile subscriptions: 23 million (2023).
Internet users: 18% of the population (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	40,121,552 (2024 est.)
Area	652,230 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$82.238 billion (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	3.38 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	34.2 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	13.3% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy	54.4 years (2024 est.)
Literacy rate	37% (2021 est.)
Urban population	26.9% (2023 est.)
Dependency ratio	82.7 (2024 est.)