Afghanistan Population: How Many People Live in Afghanistan?
Historical Population Data (1960-2024)
What is the population of Afghanistan? The current Afghanistan population is 42 647 492 people in 2024. Afghanistan has experienced significant growth in population over the past six decades. From 9 035 043 people in 1960, the population has grown to 42 647 492 in 2023, representing a growth of 33 612 449 people (+372.0%).
The country reached its peak population of 42 647 492 in 2024, after which population levels began to stabilize. This historical data provides valuable insights into Afghanistan's demographic evolution and long-term population trends.
Current Population (2024)
Population in 1960
Total Growth
Peak Population
📈 Population Trend of Afghanistan (1960-2024)
This interactive chart visualizes Afghanistan's population growth over more than six decades, from 1960 to 2024. The trend line shows how the country's total population has changed year by year, making it easy to identify periods of rapid growth, stability, or decline.
Hover over any point on the chart to see the exact population figure for that specific year. The data is sourced from World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025) and provides a comprehensive historical view of demographic changes in Afghanistan.
📊 Afghanistan Population by Decade
|
Year
|
Population
|
Change from Previous Decade
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9 035 043 | |
| 1970 | 11 290 128 | +2 255 085 (+25.0%) |
| 1980 | 13 169 311 | +1 879 183 (+16.6%) |
| 1990 | 12 045 660 | -1 123 651 (-8.5%) |
| 2000 | 20 130 327 | +8 084 667 (+67.1%) |
| 2010 | 28 284 089 | +8 153 762 (+40.5%) |
| 2020 | 39 068 979 | +10 784 890 (+38.1%) |
| 2024 | 42 647 492 | +3 578 513 (+9.2%) |
This table presents Afghanistan's population data at key 10-year intervals, providing a clear overview of long-term demographic trends. Each row shows the population count for a specific decade, along with the absolute and percentage change from the previous data point.
By examining these decade-by-decade changes, you can quickly identify major demographic shifts and understand the overall growth pattern of Afghanistan without getting into year-by-year details.
📅 Complete Historical Data of Afghanistan (1960-2024)
|
Year
|
Population
|
Annual Change
|
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 9 035 043 | |
| 1961 | 9 214 083 | +179 040 |
| 1962 | 9 404 406 | +190 323 |
| 1963 | 9 604 487 | +200 081 |
| 1964 | 9 814 318 | +209 831 |
| 1965 | 10 036 008 | +221 690 |
| 1966 | 10 266 395 | +230 387 |
| 1967 | 10 505 959 | +239 564 |
| 1968 | 10 756 922 | +250 963 |
| 1969 | 11 017 409 | +260 487 |
| 1970 | 11 290 128 | +272 719 |
| 1971 | 11 567 667 | +277 539 |
| 1972 | 11 853 696 | +286 029 |
| 1973 | 12 157 999 | +304 303 |
| 1974 | 12 469 127 | +311 128 |
| 1975 | 12 773 954 | +304 827 |
| 1976 | 13 059 851 | +285 897 |
| 1977 | 13 340 756 | +280 905 |
| 1978 | 13 611 441 | +270 685 |
| 1979 | 13 655 567 | +44 126 |
| 1980 | 13 169 311 | -486 256 |
| 1981 | 11 937 581 | -1 231 730 |
| 1982 | 10 991 378 | -946 203 |
| 1983 | 10 917 982 | -73 396 |
| 1984 | 11 190 221 | +272 239 |
| 1985 | 11 426 852 | +236 631 |
| 1986 | 11 420 074 | -6 778 |
| 1987 | 11 387 818 | -32 256 |
| 1988 | 11 523 298 | +135 480 |
| 1989 | 11 874 088 | +350 790 |
| 1990 | 12 045 660 | +171 572 |
| 1991 | 12 238 879 | +193 219 |
| 1992 | 13 278 974 | +1 040 095 |
| 1993 | 14 943 172 | +1 664 198 |
| 1994 | 16 250 794 | +1 307 622 |
| 1995 | 17 065 836 | +815 042 |
| 1996 | 17 763 266 | +697 430 |
| 1997 | 18 452 091 | +688 825 |
| 1998 | 19 159 996 | +707 905 |
| 1999 | 19 887 785 | +727 789 |
| 2000 | 20 130 327 | +242 542 |
| 2001 | 20 284 307 | +153 980 |
| 2002 | 21 378 117 | +1 093 810 |
| 2003 | 22 733 049 | +1 354 932 |
| 2004 | 23 560 654 | +827 605 |
| 2005 | 24 404 567 | +843 913 |
| 2006 | 25 424 094 | +1 019 527 |
| 2007 | 25 909 852 | +485 758 |
| 2008 | 26 482 622 | +572 770 |
| 2009 | 27 466 101 | +983 479 |
| 2010 | 28 284 089 | +817 988 |
| 2011 | 29 347 708 | +1 063 619 |
| 2012 | 30 560 034 | +1 212 326 |
| 2013 | 31 622 704 | +1 062 670 |
| 2014 | 32 792 523 | +1 169 819 |
| 2015 | 33 831 764 | +1 039 241 |
| 2016 | 34 700 612 | +868 848 |
| 2017 | 35 688 935 | +988 323 |
| 2018 | 36 743 039 | +1 054 104 |
| 2019 | 37 856 121 | +1 113 082 |
| 2020 | 39 068 979 | +1 212 858 |
| 2021 | 40 000 412 | +931 433 |
| 2022 | 40 578 842 | +578 430 |
| 2023 | 41 454 761 | +875 919 |
| 2024 | 42 647 492 | +1 192 731 |
This comprehensive table displays the complete year-by-year population records for Afghanistan from 1960 to 2024. Each row represents one calendar year, showing the total population and the annual change compared to the previous year.
Use this detailed dataset to analyze short-term population fluctuations, identify specific years with significant changes, or track precise demographic patterns. The sortable columns allow you to organize the data by year, population size, or annual change to suit your research needs. Data source: World Bank (updated: 10/7/2025).
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Afghanistan Population
What is the current population of Afghanistan?
The population of Afghanistan is estimated to be approximately 42 647 492 people as of 2024, based on official data from the World Bank.
How fast is the population of Afghanistan growing?
Afghanistan has experienced growth with an average annual growth rate of approximately 2.45% per year from 1960 to 2024. The total population has increased by 33 612 449 people (+372.0%) over this 64-year period.
How does Afghanistan's population compare to other countries?
Afghanistan ranks #80 in the world by population as of 2024, positioning it in the middle range of global population rankings. With 42 647 492 people, Afghanistan accounts for approximately 0.05% of the world's total population.
How has the population of Afghanistan changed over time?
Over the past decades, Afghanistan's population has increased from 9 035 043 people in 1960 to 42 647 492 in 2024. The country reached its peak population of 42 647 492 in 2024. This growth reflects improvements in healthcare, economic development, and overall quality of life.
What were the population milestones of Afghanistan?
Afghanistan achieved several significant demographic milestones throughout its history. The population first reached 9 035 043 in 1960, and grew to its current level of 42 647 492 by 2024. The highest recorded population was 42 647 492 people in 2024, while the lowest in recent history was 9 035 043 in 1960.
What factors influence population growth in Afghanistan?
Key factors influencing population dynamics in Afghanistan include birth and death rates, migration patterns, government policies related to family planning and immigration, healthcare infrastructure and life expectancy, economic conditions affecting family size decisions, urbanization trends, and socio-cultural factors. The country's positive population trend over the past 64 years reflects the combined impact of these various demographic drivers.
Where can I find historical population data for Afghanistan?
This page provides comprehensive historical population data for Afghanistan from 1960 to 2024, sourced directly from the World Bank's official database. The data includes year-by-year population figures, decade summaries, growth rates, and interactive charts showing long-term demographic trends. This information is updated regularly (last update: 10/7/2025) to ensure accuracy and reliability for research, educational, and analytical purposes.