Afghanistan

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (prior to 15 August 2021); current country name disputed
ISO: AF / null Jamhuri-ye Islami-ye Afghanistan (prior to 15 August 2021; current country name is disputed)

📊 Quick Facts

Capital
Kabul
Population (2024)
40,121,552
Total Area
652,230 km²
GDP (PPP)
N/A
Government Type
theocratic; the United States does not recognize the Taliban Government
Independence
19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)

🌍 Geography

Location: Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran

Area & Boundaries

Total Area 652,230 km²
Land Area 652,230 km²
Water Area N/A km²
World Rank by Area #null
Land Boundaries 5,987 km
Coastline N/A km

Bordering Countries

China (91 km)
670 km; Tajikistan 1 (N/A km)
357 km; Turkmenistan (804 km)

Terrain & Climate

Terrain: mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest

Climate: arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Elevation

Highest Point : N/Am
Lowest Point : nullm
Mean Elevation 1,884m

Natural Resources

natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones, arable land

👥 Demographics

Population Overview

Total Population (2024) 40,121,552
World Rank #null
Growth Rate 2.22%
Urbanization null%

Age & Life Expectancy

Median Age 20 years
Life Expectancy null years
Birth Rate 34.2 per 1,000
Death Rate 11.8 per 1,000

Major Urban Areas

Education

Literacy Rate: null% (Male: 52.1%, Female: 26.6%)

💼 Economy

<p>low-income South Asian economy; economy stable after major contraction due to Taliban takeover, but recovery remains fragile; widespread poverty and obstacles to human development; import-reliant for food, fuel, and machinery; ongoing sanctions, suspended development aid, and frozen reserve assets</p>

GDP & Economic Indicators

GDP (PPP) N/A
GDP (Official Rate) $17.15 billion
GDP per Capita (PPP) N/A
World GDP Rank #null
GDP Growth Rate null%
Unemployment Rate null%
Inflation Rate 6.6%
Public Debt (% of GDP) null%

GDP Composition by Sector

Agriculture 34.7%
Industry 13.4%
Services 46.4%

Major Industries

small-scale production of bricks, textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, apparel, food products, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper

Trade

Exports N/A
Imports N/A
Foreign Exchange Reserves N/A
Currency (null)

🏛️ Government

Government Type theocratic; the United States does not recognize the Taliban Government
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive Branch

Chief of State:

Head of Government:

Legislative Branch

National Holiday

previous: Independence Day, 19 August (1919); under the Taliban Government, 15 August (2022) is declared a national holiday, marking the anniversary of the victory of the Afghan jihad<br><br>

📈 Social Indicators

Physicians 0.32 per 1,000
Hospital Beds 0.4 per 1,000
Health Expenditure 21.8% of GDP
Education Expenditure 4.3% of GDP

🎨 Cultural Heritage

UNESCO World Heritage Sites 2

Notable Sites

Data Sources: CIA World Factbook, World Bank, United Nations, IMF, OECD
Reference Year: 2024
Last Updated: 2026-01-11