Afghanistan

Asia
Kabul

Population

49.47M

Area

652,230 km²

GDP

$17.15B

GDP Per Capita

$2,000

Quick FAQs

Region

Asia

Capital

Kabul

ISO 3166

af

Government Type

theocratic; the United States does not recognize the Taliban Government

Language

Afghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua Learn more

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About Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in South Asia, covering an area of approximately 652,230 square kilometers. As of 2025, Afghanistan has a population of over 49 million, characterized by diverse demographics including Pashtuns, Tajiks, Hazaras, and Uzbeks. The country’s rugged terrain is dominated by the Hindu Kush mountains, with fertile valleys that have historically supported agricultural communities. Dari and Pashto serve as the official languages, while Kabul stands as the capital and largest city. For those seeking detailed statistics and geographic context, a comprehensive map of Afghanistan provides valuable insights into its strategic location bordering Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China.

Afghanistan’s economy remains primarily agricultural, with wheat, grapes, and melons among its key crops, though the country also holds significant natural gas, copper, and coal reserves. With a GDP of approximately $17.15 billion and a GDP per capita of $2,000, Afghanistan faces substantial economic challenges including a 54.5% poverty rate and 13.4% unemployment, compounded by ongoing sanctions and frozen reserve assets following the Taliban takeover. The population, with a median age that reflects one of the youngest demographics in Asia, continues to face obstacles in human development, literacy, and healthcare access. By 2025, Afghanistan’s development trajectory remains fragile, making it an essential country for analysis in discussions of geopolitical stability, humanitarian aid, and regional economic recovery.

Geography & Environment

Geographic Location

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

Geographic Coordinate

33 00 N, 65 00 E

Geographic Area

652,230 km²

Climate

arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest

Natural Hazards

damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts

Natural Resources

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

Geography Note

landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)

People & Society

Ave. Life Expentancy at Birth

66.3 years

Urbanization

26.90%

Population Growth Rate

2.86% (2025 est.)

Literacy Rate

37.3% (2021 est.)

Health Expendeture

21.8% of GDP (2021)

Education Expenditure

4.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

Languages

Afghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua franca) 77%, Pashto (official) 48%, Uzbeki 11%, English 6%, Turkmani 3%, Urdu 3%, Pashaie 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi 1%, other <1% (2020 est.)

Religions

Muslim 99.7% (Sunni 84.7 - 89.7%, Shia 10 - 15%), other <0.3% (2009 est.)

Government

Country Name

conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (prior to 15 August 2021); current country name disputed
conventional short form: Afghanistan
local long form: Jamhuri-ye Islami-ye Afghanistan (prior to 15 August 2021; current country name is disputed)
local short form: Afghanistan
etymology: the name "Afghan" originally referred to the Pashtun people, but today it is understood to include all the country's ethnic groups; the suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country," so Afghanistan literally means the "Land of the Afghans"

Economy

Economic Overview

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

GDP Per Capita

$2,000

Unemployment Rate

13.4% (2025 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

54.5% (2016 est.)

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

Agricultural Products

wheat, milk, grapes, watermelons, potatoes, cantaloupes/melons, vegetables, rice, onions, maize (2023)

Location

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