Form of Government: Islamic republic (de jure); Islamic emirate (de facto)
Area: 652 864 sq km
Population: 32 890 171 inhab. (estimate 2020)
Density: 50.38 inhab./sq km
Coordinates: lat. 39° - 29° N; long. 61° - 75° E
Capital: Kābul 4 434 550 inhab. (2020), urban agglomeration
Currency: new afghani (100 puls)
Human development index: 0.511 (rank: 169)
President: until 15 August 2021: Ashraf Ghani (independent), elected 14 August 2014, in office since 29 September 2014, re-elected 28 September 2019
Internet: //nsia.gov.af (National Statistics and Information Authority)
Member of OIC, SAARC, SCO observer, UN, WTO
Afghanistan

International license plate code AFG
International dialling code 0093
Travel vaccinations requirement yellow fever (required only if traveling from a country with risk of transmission); malaria prophylaxis (recommended for some areas)
Electricity (Voltage) 220
Driving side rigth
Internet code .af
GMT +4.30
DST not applied
Annual average temperature (°C) Kābul 12
Average temperature in January/July (°C) Kābul -1/23.5
Daily sunshine hours in June/December (average) Kābul 12/6
Annual average precipitation (mm) Kābul 257
Days of rainfall (annual average) Kābul 32

On 12 September 2020, peace talks began between the Taliban and the Afghan government, as set out in the agreement signed in Doha on 29 February 2020 between the Taliban and the United States, but they proceeded with difficulty before running aground completely. The participants have very different stances and the Taliban refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the Afghan government. The offensive launched by the Taliban took advantage of the gradual withdrawal of the US troops, which was determined by the agreement made on 29 February 2020, quickly resulting in taking control of the country from the poorly armed and trained Afghan forces that lacked air coverage. In August, Kunduz, Ghaznī, Kandahār, Herāt and other provincial capitals were conquered in rapid succession. Kābul was taken on 15 August. The government dissolved and President ’Ashraf Ghanī fled overseas.
Geography.
Afghanistan is bordered by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north, by China to the north-east, by Pakistan to the east and south, and by Iran to the west. It stretches across the arid Iranian steppe plateau and is divided into two parts by the high mountain chains (over 5000 m) of the Paropamisus and the Hindu Kush: one in the north sloping down towards the valley of the River Amu Darya, the other in the south, with vast lakes of varying size. It has a dry climate with extreme ranges of temperature.
Government
A British protectorate from 1879, Afghanistan declared independence in 1919. It achieved a certain amount of political and institutional stability under the constitution issued during the reign of Zahir Shah in 1933. In 1973, the king was deposed and a republic was proclaimed. In 1978, a coup installed a Communist regime, supported by Soviet forces. Guerrilla warfare soon developed against the regime, supported by the USA and Pakistan. In 1989, the Soviet army withdrew and the regime lasted until 1992.
In 1996, the Taliban fundamentalist militia group occupied Kābul and installed Islamic Law (sharia), transforming the republic into an Islamic emirate (26 October 1997). The main opposition forces formed the Northern Alliance, under the command of the Tajik leader Ahmad Shah Massoud (later assassinated on 9 September 2001), gaining control of some areas but without conquering the capital.
The political scenario changed in 2001 following the Taliban government’s refusal to hand over Osama Bin Laden, the Saudi leader of Al Qaeda, accused of having planned the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 in New York and Washington. The armed forces of the USA, together with NATO allies, intervened leading to a rapid fall of the regime and occupying the country through the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), under NATO command since 2003. Although vast areas of the country are under Taliban control, the ISAF mission ended in late 2014, and NATO troops were reduced. The US continues to lend air support to government forces. The situation has been made more complex by policies, often conflicting, of other countries with interests in the area, particularly Pakistan, Russia and China, and by the activity of the fundamentalist group “Islamic State” responsible for serious attacks.
According to the 2004 Constitution, Afghanistan is a presidential Islamic Republic with freedom of worship for all religions. The President, who is elected directly on a five-year mandate, can only be re-elected once. Parliament comprises the House of Elders (102 members, one third of whom are elected by district councils to serve for three years, one third by provincial councils to serve for four years, and one third appointed by the President to serve for five years) and the House of the People (up to 250 members elected by direct suffrage for five-years; two seats in each province are reserved for women). The Supreme Court has nine judges (mostly mullahs) who are appointed by the President; most of the trials are entrusted to the Council of Elders, who decide each case according to tribal traditions.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Air force | 4$ | % | 2015 |
Army | 96$ | % | 2015 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Homicides | 6.3 | per 100 000 pop. | 2012 |
Administrative division
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Kābul | 4 434 550 | inhab. | 2020 |
Herāt | 574 276 | inhab. | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Kābul | 4 434 550 | inhab. | 2020 |
Population
Population by age and gender (% - 2020) | ||||||||
| ||||||||
MALE | AGE | FEMALE |
The number of refugees remains high, fleeing the provinces at war, increasing further after the takeover by the Taliban in August 2021.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Birth rate | 31.802 | ‰ | 2019 |
Death rate | 6.285 | ‰ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Pashtun | 40$ | % | 2014 |
Tajik | 36$ | % | 2014 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Muslim (Sunni) | 85$ | % | 2015 |
Muslim (Shia) | 14$ | % | 2015 |
DESCRIPTION |
---|
Dari (official) |
Pashto (official) |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
0-14 years | 40.4 | % | 2020 |
15-29 years | 30$ | % | 2020 |
Economy
The war and widespread corruption hinder any economic development, apart from illegal sectors such as the cultivation and smuggling of opium poppies. The economy remains deeply reliant on international aid. The arable land is cultivated with cereals, fruit (grapes and almonds) and vegetables, but the most profitable crop is opium poppy; cannabis is also relevant. Livestock farming is practised (cattle and Karakul sheep).
There are coal and copper deposits, oil and natural gas reserves; a 120-km gas pipeline runs from Mazar-e Sharif to the Uzbek border. There are emerald mines in the Panjshir valley. The country also possesses impressive reserves of rare earths, which have not been used as of yet. The few industrial areas have been destroyed by the war. A few craft activities (carpets) are still practised. Exports are mainly directed to India, Pakistan and China.
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Agricultural prod. index (2004-06=100) | 125.39 | index | 2016 |
Agricultural prod. index (2014-16=100) | 111.15 | index | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Active population | 10 657 679 | units | 2020 |
Active population, Females | 21.4 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Unemployment rate | 11.7 | % | 2020 |
Unemployment rate, Females | 27$ | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenses | 423 980 | M LCU | 2019 |
Revenues | 396 455 | M LCU | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 45.983 | % | 2020 |
industry | 18.481 | % | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
agriculture | 26.852 | % | 2019 |
industry | 12.769 | % | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Currency in circulation | 293.341 | BN LCU | 2020 |
International reserves | 9 694.989 | M US$ | 2020 |
Agriculture
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
arable land | 12.13 | % | 2018 |
forests | 1.851 | % | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 123.576 | 1000 t | 2019 |
cereals, total | 5 583.461 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 921.122 | 1000 t | 2019 |
roots and tubers, total | 921.122 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
muskmelons | 464.23 | 1000 t | 2019 |
onions, dry | 352.725 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grapes | 1 112.927 | 1000 t | 2019 |
raisins | 33.7 | 1000 t | 2005 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
olives | 8.438 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sesame seed | 33.139 | 1000 t | 2019 |
sunflower seed | 0.882 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sugar beet | 9.284 | 1000 t | 2019 |
sugar cane | 36.538 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
seed cotton | 73.12 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
linseed | 55$ | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 250.324 | 1000 t | 2019 |
apricots | 129.363 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
almonds | 38.205 | 1000 t | 2019 |
pistachios | 2.755 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 43.515 | 1000 t | 2019 |
citrus fruits, nes | 38.685 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
opium | 4.8 | 1000 t | 2016 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barley | 84.07 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
maize | 94.91 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
potatoes | 57.066 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
muskmelons | 37.136 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
onions, dry | 18.343 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
grape | 89.593 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
olive | 2.148 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sesame seed | 15.356 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
sunflower seed | 0.981 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sugar beet | 0.616 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
sugar cane | 1.653 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
seed cotton | 49.371 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
linseed | 38.323 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
apples | 27.559 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
apricots | 17.719 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
almonds | 29.203 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
pistachios | 2.171 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
citrus fruits | 4.364 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
citrus fruits, nes | 3.391 | 1000 ha | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
opium | 201 | 1000 ha | 2016 |
Forests-Livestock-Fishing
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
timber | 3 684 292 | m³ | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cattle | 5 651.717 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
cattle and buffaloes | 5 651.717 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
sheep | 10 616.81 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
goats | 7 985.314 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
asses | 1 562.239 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
asses and mules | 1 586.417 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
camels | 170.368 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
birds | 13 887 | 1000 heads | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
honey | 1.239 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
silk, raw | 0.05 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
butter | 41.284 | 1000 t | 2018 |
cheese | 22.966 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
freshwater fishes | 10 050 | t | 2019 |
total catch | 10 100 | t | 2019 |
Minerals
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
coal | 2 139.2 | 1000 t | 2019 |
coal, total | 2 139.2 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
chromite | 4.5 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
barite | 2$ | 1000 t | 2014 |
fluorspar | 4$ | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
marble - t | 42$ | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
gold | 40$ | kg | 2016 |
precious stones - kg | 35 000 | kg | 2018 |
Energy
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- hydro | 840 | M kWh | 2019 |
- thermal | 150 | M kWh | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
- hydro | 330 | 1000 kW | 2019 |
- thermal | 284 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
total net generation | 1 115 | M kWh | 2018 |
total installed capacity | 636.4 | 1000 kW | 2018 |
Industry
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
aluminium | 9.1 | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
mopeds | 465 | no. | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
ammonia | 48$ | 1000 t | 2019 |
fertilizers | 6.9 | 1000 t | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
carpets | 136.2 | 1000 m² | 2020 |
cotton fabrics - m | 0.003 | M m | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
footwear | 1 140 513 | pairs | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cottonseed oil | 4.433 | 1000 t | 2018 |
linseed oil | 20.539 | 1000 t | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
tobacco | 7.5 | t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
cement | 148.5 | 1000 t | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
manufacturing production | 1 180.673 | M US$ | 2020 |
Trade
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
food products | 65.897 | % of goods exports | 2018 |
agricultural raw materials | 16.695 | % of goods exports | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Pakistan | 191 | M US$ | 2009 |
India | 76$ | M US$ | 2009 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Uzbekistan | 876 | M US$ | 2009 |
China | 360 | M US$ | 2009 |
Tourism
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expenditures | 168 | M US$ | 2019 |
Receipts | 85$ | M US$ | 2019 |
Social and welfare
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Expected years of schooling | 10.198 | years | 2018 |
Gradautes, percentage | 3$ | % | 1979 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Students, primary level | 6 544 906 | units | 2018 |
Students, secondary level | 3 063 889 | units | 2018 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Social protection spending | 4.107 | % of total expenses | 2017 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Hospital beds | 0.4 | per 1000 pop. | 2020 |
Physicians | 0.3 | per 1000 pop. | 2020 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
HIV | -0.1 | % of adults | 2019 |
Malaria | 174 894 | cases | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Museums | 5$ | units | 2020 |
Museums, visitors | 20 989 | units | 2019 |
DESCRIPTION | VALUE | UNITS | YEAR |
---|---|---|---|
Access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking | 36$ | % | 2019 |
Access to electricity | 97.7 | % | 2019 |