Population growth rate in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Population growth rate was 2.8% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Population growth rate in Afghanistan, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population growth rate in Afghanistan is 2.8%, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 101.8% on the previous year and down 14.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population growth rate in Afghanistan peaked at 12.3% in 1992 and was at its lowest, -13.9%, in 1981.
Afghanistan ranks 18th of 236 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 1.5% | 1.3% | 1.8% | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.2% | 1.9% | 2.4% | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.0% | -1.2% | 2.6% | 10 |
| 1980s | -1.2% | -13.9% | 4.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.2% | -0.5% | 12.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.2% | -1.2% | 7.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.2% | 2.3% | 4.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.2% | 1.4% | 3.3% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
- 15 Mauritania 3.0% compare
- 16 Mozambique 2.9% compare
- 17 Tanzania 2.9% compare
- 18 Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba 2.8% compare
- 20 Zambia 2.8% compare
- 21 Armenia 2.8% compare
More population data for Afghanistan
- Literate and illiterate world population 62.7% (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population growth rate in Afghanistan?
- Population growth rate in Afghanistan was 2.8% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population growth rate recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 12.3% in 1992.
- What is the lowest population growth rate recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was -13.9% in 1981.
- How does Afghanistan rank for population growth rate?
- Afghanistan ranks 18th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is population growth rate rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 14.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Population growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The annual rate at which the population is growing, expressed as a percentage.