Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Capital
Kabul
Region
Asia
Population
43,844,000
Area (km²)
652,230
Afghanistan, a landlocked nation in Central Asia with an area of 652,230 km², is home to a population of about 43.8 million people and features Kabul as its bustling capital. Known for its rugged mountainous terrain and diverse ethnic groups, the country has a complex history shaped by ancient trade routes like the Silk Road. While GDP data is currently unavailable, Afghanistan's economy relies heavily on agriculture, mining, and international aid amidst ongoing political challenges.
Afghanistan's GDP per capita is strikingly low at $413.76, placing it among the poorest nations globally. This figure highlights the severe economic challenges and humanitarian crisis facing the population, despite a positive GDP growth rate of 2.267%.
The country is experiencing significant deflation, with an inflation rate of -4.645%. While deflation can temporarily lower prices, in Afghanistan's context, it often signals a severe lack of consumer demand, collapsing asset values, and deep economic contraction following political upheaval, which is unusual for a developing nation.
Afghanistan maintains a very high fertility rate of 4.84 births per woman, which is a key driver of its large and rapidly growing population. This demographic pressure puts immense strain on the limited economic resources and infrastructure, especially given the low life expectancy of 66.04 years.
Only about a quarter of the population (25.473%) resides in urban areas, indicating that Afghanistan remains predominantly rural. This low urbanization rate suggests challenges in infrastructure development, centralized services, and economic modernization compared to regional averages.
GDP (Current US$)
$17.15B
Year: 2023
GDP Per Capita
$413.76
GDP Growth (%)
2.27%
Inflation (%)
-4.65%
Unemployment (%)
13.99%
Debt to GDP (%)
N/A%
Source: World Bank • Last updated: 1/23/2026
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