Country Profile: Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in Southern Asia, bordered by Pakistan, Iran, China, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The population is estimated at over 40 million, with a diverse array of ethnic groups, predominantly Pashtun, Tajik, and Hazara. The economy, classified as low-income, remains fragile due to ongoing conflicts, heavy reliance on imports, and limited development aid. The country has a complex governance structure dominated by the Taliban, which has faced international isolation since its takeover in 2021.

Geography

Afghanistan is characterized by its rugged terrain, with the Hindu Kush mountain range dividing the northern provinces from the rest of the country. The climate ranges from arid to semiarid, featuring cold winters and hot summers. The country has no coastline, making it landlocked and dependent on neighboring nations for trade.

652,230 sq km - total area
5,987 km - total land boundaries
Noshak (7,492 m) - highest point
Amu Darya (258 m) - lowest point
1.9% - forest cover (2023 est.)

People and Society

With a population of around 40 million (2024 est.), Afghanistan exhibits a rich tapestry of cultures and languages, including Dari and Pashto as the official languages. The majority of the population practices Islam, with a notably young demographic, as reflected in the median age of 20 years. Urbanization is low, with about 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.)
34.2 births/1,000 - birth rate (2024 est.)
37.3% - literacy rate (2021 est.)
5.2% - tobacco use among females (2025 est.)

Economy

Afghanistan's economy is currently low-income and highly dependent on imports for food and fuel, with a real GDP estimated at $82.238 billion (2023 est.). The country is struggling with widespread poverty and a fragile recovery following the Taliban's takeover. The agricultural sector accounts for roughly 34.7% of GDP, while services contribute 46.4%.

$2,000 - GDP per capita (2023 est.)
13.3% - unemployment rate (2024 est.)
54.5% - population living below the poverty line (2016 est.)
98.1% - household consumption relative to GDP (2023 est.)
1.9% - remittances as a percentage of GDP (2023 est.)

Government

Afghanistan is governed by the Taliban, which enforces a theocratic regime and maintains an authoritarian stance by banning other political parties. The country has been struggling with international recognition since the Taliban's takeover in 2021. The capital, Kabul, serves as the seat of power.

34 - number of provinces
18 years - minimum voting age
Kabul - capital city coordinates: 34 31 N, 69 11 E
no - dual citizenship recognized
3.3% of GDP - military expenditures (2019)

Military and Security

The Taliban claims control over military and security forces with approximately 190,000 personnel under the Ministry of Defense. The military's equipment largely comes from arms captured during the 2021 takeover. The Taliban is focused on internal and border security, dealing with rising tensions and threats from groups such as ISIS-K.

215,000 - personnel under the Ministry of Interior (2025)
voluntary - military service, no conscription (2023)
3.3% - military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2019)
average - military service age (2023)
key priority - is combating border tensions, primarily with Pakistan

Energy

Afghanistan's energy infrastructure is developing, with a significant reliance on hydroelectricity, which makes up 77% of installed capacity. Access to electricity stands at 85.3% of the population, but rural areas have lower access compared to urban settings.

627,000 kW - installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
6.468 billion kWh - total energy consumption (2023 est.)
58,000 bbl/day - refined petroleum consumption (2023 est.)
3.38 million Btu/person - total energy consumption per capita (2023 est.)
767,000 metric tons - coal production (2023 est.)

Environment

Afghanistan's environment is challenged by limited freshwater resources, soil degradation, and air and water pollution, particularly in urban areas. The country is a signatory to various international environmental agreements addressing climate change and biodiversity issues.

65.33 billion cubic meters - total renewable water resources (2022 est.)
5.629 million tons - municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
11.1% - percentage of municipal waste recycled (2022 est.)
84 micrograms/m³ - particulate matter emissions (2019 est.)
9.7% - solar energy's share of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Transportation

Afghanistan's transportation system includes 68 airports and 8 heliports, facilitating both domestic and international connectivity despite ongoing security challenges.

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

Communications

The communications sector in Afghanistan is evolving, with approximately 18% of the population using the internet. The mobile cellular subscriptions reached 23 million, indicating increasing connectivity, albeit with state control over media outlets.

23 million - mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 est.)
182,000 - fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023 est.)
18% - internet user percentage (2023 est.)
33,000 - broadband fixed subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	40,121,552 (2024 est.)
Area	652,230 sq km
GDP	$82.238 billion	Real GDP (purchasing power parity, 2023 est.)
Energy Consumption	6.468 billion kWh	Total consumption (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	34.2 births/1,000	(2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate	13.3%	(2024 est.)
Life Expectancy	54.4 years	(2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	37.3%	(2021 est.)
Electric Access	85.3%	(2022 est.)
Urban Population	26.9%	(2023)