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Afghanistan vs Belgium statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 11.9M in Belgium (ranked 82/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 11,774 sq mi for Belgium (ranked 40th vs. 136th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and Belgium ranks 23/197 ($671B). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while Belgium ranks 18/197 ($56,615).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan Belgium
Population
45409324
11902714
Population rank 36/197 83/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$671B
2024
GDP rank 137/197 23/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$56,615
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 18/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$73,514
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$703B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
104.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$59,278
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 5/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$35,259
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 11,774 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
1,011 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
1.47
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
42.7 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
82.6 years
2026

Afghanistan and Belgium: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and Belgium economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

Belgium
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan Belgium
2024 - $671,370,081,636
2023 $17,152,234,637 $651,330,595,110
2022 $14,497,243,872 $591,085,783,326
2021 $14,259,995,441 $598,522,422,242
2020 $19,955,929,052 $529,694,473,502
2019 $18,799,444,490 $536,726,344,405
2018 $18,053,222,687 $542,638,913,428
2017 $18,753,456,498 $500,908,767,352
2016 $18,116,572,395 $474,271,566,740
2015 $19,134,221,645 $461,044,767,545
2014 $20,497,128,556 $537,987,419,164
2013 $20,146,416,758 $524,097,026,599
2012 $19,907,329,778 $498,414,364,945
2011 $17,805,098,206 $527,196,649,049
2010 $15,856,668,556 $481,556,503,720
2009 $12,416,152,732 $485,014,525,992
2008 $10,109,297,048 $517,328,087,920
2007 $9,747,886,187 $470,922,156,309
2006 $6,971,758,282 $408,259,840,869
2005 $6,203,256,539 $385,714,762,230
2004 $5,224,896,719 $369,214,712,443
2003 $4,520,946,819 $318,082,528,507
2002 $3,825,701,439 $258,383,599,375
2001 $2,813,571,754 $236,746,141,604
2000 $3,521,418,060 $236,792,460,312
1999 - $258,245,733,221
1998 - $258,528,339,631
1997 - $252,708,051,421
1996 - $279,201,433,225
1995 - $288,025,588,396
1994 - $244,884,129,491
1993 - $224,721,795,709
1992 - $234,781,652,447
1991 - $210,510,999,409
1990 - $205,331,747,948
1989 - $164,221,056,511
1988 - $162,299,103,675
1987 - $149,394,404,106
1986 - $120,018,787,249
1985 - $86,268,264,148
1984 - $83,349,530,159
1983 - $87,184,239,053
1982 - $92,095,926,188
1981 - $104,730,018,470
1980 - $126,829,314,388
1979 - $116,315,456,797
1978 - $101,246,526,194
1977 - $82,839,905,459
1976 - $71,113,882,968
1975 - $65,678,189,097
1974 - $56,033,077,879
1973 - $47,743,801,490
1972 - $37,209,418,019
1971 - $29,821,661,870
1970 - $26,706,196,047
1969 - $24,019,653,475
1968 - $21,654,856,965
1967 - $20,252,508,995
1966 - $18,894,891,312
1965 - $17,597,783,297
1964 - $16,168,044,450
1963 - $14,445,805,381
1962 - $13,436,827,167
1961 - $12,561,701,694
1960 - $11,810,619,368

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/belgium | CC BY

Afghanistan and Belgium economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

Belgium
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan Belgium
2024 - $56,615
2023 $414 $55,291
2022 $357 $50,606
2021 $356 $51,658
2020 $511 $45,906
2019 $497 $46,717
2018 $491 $47,487
2017 $525 $44,035
2016 $522 $41,855
2015 $566 $40,894
2014 $625 $47,996
2013 $637 $46,965
2012 $651 $44,874
2011 $607 $47,761
2010 $561 $44,197
2009 $452 $44,923
2008 $382 $48,303
2007 $376 $44,319
2006 $274.2 $38,705
2005 $254.2 $36,810
2004 $221.8 $35,429
2003 $198.9 $30,655
2002 $179 $25,006
2001 $138.7 $23,015
2000 $174.9 $23,099
1999 - $25,253
1998 - $25,338
1997 - $24,821
1996 - $27,490
1995 - $28,414
1994 - $24,209
1993 - $22,284
1992 - $23,373
1991 - $21,042
1990 - $20,600
1989 - $16,525
1988 - $16,391
1987 - $15,136
1986 - $12,170
1985 - $8,751
1984 - $8,457
1983 - $8,846
1982 - $9,344
1981 - $10,623
1980 - $12,864
1979 - $11,811
1978 - $10,290
1977 - $8,427
1976 - $7,243
1975 - $6,701
1974 - $5,734
1973 - $4,901
1972 - $3,832
1971 - $3,083
1970 - $2,766
1969 - $2,490
1968 - $2,251
1967 - $2,114
1966 - $1,983
1965 - $1,860
1964 - $1,724
1963 - $1,555
1962 - $1,457
1961 - $1,368
1960 - $1,290

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/belgium | CC BY

Afghanistan vs. Belgium life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

Belgium
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan Belgium
2026 66.8 82.6
2025 66.5 82.4
2024 66.3 82.3
2023 66 82.1
2022 65.6 81.2
2021 60.4 81.7
2020 61.5 80.8
2019 62.9 81.8
2018 62.4 81.5
2017 62.4 81.4
2016 62.6 81.3
2015 62.3 80.9
2014 62.3 81.1
2013 62.2 80.5
2012 61.7 80.3
2011 61.3 80.4
2010 60.7 80
2009 60.2 79.8
2008 59.7 79.6
2007 59 79.5
2006 58.6 79.4
2005 58.2 79.1
2004 57.8 79
2003 57.2 78.3
2002 56.2 78.2
2001 55.5 78.1
2000 55 77.8
1999 54.5 77.6
1998 52.5 77.5
1997 53.2 77.4
1996 52.8 77.2
1995 52.1 76.8
1994 51 76.7
1993 51 76.4
1992 46.6 76.4
1991 45.5 76.2
1990 45.1 76.1
1989 44.5 75.6
1988 43.2 75.6
1987 38.8 75.3
1986 38.4 74.7
1985 32.1 74.5
1984 31.5 74.4
1983 36.5 73.9
1982 36.1 73.9
1981 39.4 73.7
1980 39.3 73.2
1979 38.8 73.2
1978 40.1 72.7
1977 41.1 72.8
1976 40.5 72.1
1975 40 72
1974 39.5 72
1973 39 71.6
1972 38.4 71.4
1971 37.9 71.1
1970 37.5 70.9
1969 37 70.7
1968 36.5 70.6
1967 36 70.9
1966 35.6 70.6
1965 35.1 70.6
1964 34.7 70.7
1963 34.2 70
1962 33.8 70.2
1961 33.3 70.5
1960 32.8 69.6
1959 32.3 70.3
1958 31.8 69.9
1957 31.3 69.2
1956 30.8 68.8
1955 30.4 68.5
1954 29.7 68.6
1953 29.5 68.4
1952 29 68
1951 28.6 66.7
1950 28.2 66.3

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/belgium | CC BY

Afghanistan and Belgium population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

Belgium
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan Belgium
2024 42,647,492 11,858,610
2023 41,454,761 11,779,946
2022 40,578,842 11,680,210
2021 40,000,412 11,586,195
2020 39,068,979 11,538,604
2019 37,856,121 11,488,980
2018 36,743,039 11,427,054
2017 35,688,935 11,375,158
2016 34,700,612 11,331,422
2015 33,831,764 11,274,196
2014 32,792,523 11,209,057
2013 31,622,704 11,159,407
2012 30,560,034 11,106,932
2011 29,347,708 11,038,264
2010 28,284,089 10,895,586
2009 27,466,101 10,796,493
2008 26,482,622 10,709,973
2007 25,909,852 10,625,700
2006 25,424,094 10,547,958
2005 24,404,567 10,478,617
2004 23,560,654 10,421,137
2003 22,733,049 10,376,133
2002 21,378,117 10,332,785
2001 20,284,307 10,286,570
2000 20,130,327 10,251,250
1999 19,887,785 10,226,419
1998 19,159,996 10,203,008
1997 18,452,091 10,181,245
1996 17,763,266 10,156,637
1995 17,065,836 10,136,811
1994 16,250,794 10,115,603
1993 14,943,172 10,084,475
1992 13,278,974 10,045,158
1991 12,238,879 10,004,486
1990 12,045,660 9,967,379
1989 11,874,088 9,937,697
1988 11,523,298 9,901,664
1987 11,387,818 9,870,234
1986 11,420,074 9,861,823
1985 11,426,852 9,858,308
1984 11,190,221 9,855,372
1983 10,917,982 9,855,520
1982 10,991,378 9,856,303
1981 11,937,581 9,858,982
1980 13,169,311 9,859,242
1979 13,655,567 9,848,382
1978 13,611,441 9,839,534
1977 13,340,756 9,830,358
1976 13,059,851 9,818,227
1975 12,773,954 9,800,700
1974 12,469,127 9,772,419
1973 12,157,999 9,741,720
1972 11,853,696 9,711,115
1971 11,567,667 9,673,162
1970 11,290,128 9,655,549
1969 11,017,409 9,646,032
1968 10,756,922 9,618,756
1967 10,505,959 9,580,991
1966 10,266,395 9,527,807
1965 10,036,008 9,463,667
1964 9,814,318 9,378,113
1963 9,604,487 9,289,770
1962 9,404,406 9,220,578
1961 9,214,083 9,183,948
1960 9,035,043 9,153,489

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/belgium | CC BY

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and Belgium

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

Belgium
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Belgium
2023 4.84 1.47
2022 4.93 1.53
2021 5.04 1.6
2020 5.15 1.55
2019 5.24 1.6
2018 5.33 1.62
2017 5.43 1.65
2016 5.54 1.68
2015 5.65 1.7
2014 5.77 1.74
2013 5.88 1.76
2012 5.99 1.8
2011 6.09 1.81
2010 6.2 1.86
2009 6.3 1.84
2008 6.39 1.85
2007 6.51 1.82
2006 6.69 1.8
2005 6.86 1.76
2004 7.02 1.72
2003 7.17 1.67
2002 7.32 1.65
2001 7.45 1.67
2000 7.57 1.67
1999 7.64 1.62
1998 7.69 1.6
1997 7.73 1.6
1996 7.76 1.59
1995 7.77 1.56
1994 7.77 1.56
1993 7.76 1.61
1992 7.7 1.65
1991 7.63 1.66
1990 7.58 1.62
1989 7.56 1.58
1988 7.55 1.57
1987 7.55 1.54
1986 7.55 1.54
1985 7.55 1.51
1984 7.55 1.54
1983 7.57 1.57
1982 7.6 1.61
1981 7.62 1.66
1980 7.64 1.68
1979 7.61 1.69
1978 7.6 1.69
1977 7.59 1.71
1976 7.56 1.73
1975 7.54 1.74
1974 7.53 1.83
1973 7.49 1.95
1972 7.45 2.09
1971 7.43 2.21
1970 7.4 2.25
1969 7.39 2.27
1968 7.36 2.31
1967 7.34 2.41
1966 7.32 2.52
1965 7.31 2.61
1964 7.3 2.71
1963 7.3 2.68
1962 7.29 2.59
1961 7.28 2.63
1960 7.28 2.54

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/belgium | CC BY

Afghanistan and Belgium demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

Belgium
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan Belgium
2024 18.2 42.7
2023 18 42.4
2022 17.8 42.2
2021 17.6 42
2020 17.5 41.9
2019 17.3 41.8
2018 17.1 41.7
2017 17 41.6
2016 16.8 41.4
2015 16.6 41.4
2014 16.4 41.3
2013 16.2 41.2
2012 16 41.1
2011 15.9 40.9
2010 15.7 40.8
2009 15.5 40.8
2008 15.3 40.7
2007 15.2 40.6
2006 15.1 40.4
2005 15 40.2
2004 14.9 40
2003 14.9 39.7
2002 14.9 39.4
2001 14.9 39.2
2000 15 38.9
1999 15.1 38.6
1998 15.2 38.3
1997 15.3 38.1
1996 15.5 37.8
1995 15.6 37.5
1994 15.7 37.2
1993 15.8 37
1992 15.9 36.7
1991 16 36.5
1990 16.1 36.3
1989 16.1 36.1
1988 16.2 35.9
1987 16.3 35.6
1986 16.3 35.4
1985 16.4 35.2
1984 16.5 35
1983 16.6 34.8
1982 16.7 34.5
1981 16.8 34.3
1980 16.9 34.2
1979 17 34.1
1978 17.2 34.1
1977 17.3 34.1
1976 17.4 34.1
1975 17.5 34.2
1974 17.6 34.3
1973 17.7 34.3
1972 17.8 34.3
1971 17.9 34.4
1970 18.1 34.5
1969 18.2 34.6
1968 18.3 34.7
1967 18.4 34.7
1966 18.5 34.7
1965 18.6 34.8
1964 18.6 34.8
1963 18.7 34.9
1962 18.8 34.9
1961 18.9 34.9
1960 18.9 34.9

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/belgium | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan Belgium
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$656B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
54.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
6.28%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
1.28%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
24,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-4.52%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.7%
2024
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
71%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
18.7%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
69.2
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
549,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
5.92%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.0001%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
117
2015
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$321B
2018
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$41.4B
2024
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$15.5B
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
2,584,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
1.77%
2020
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
98.2%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan Belgium
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
4,051 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$17.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
86.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
7.31 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
69.3%
2023
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
11.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
22.3%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
89.2%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
6,932 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
23.5%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
1.98%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
39.4%
2023
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan Belgium
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.15%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
+31,989
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
87.6%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
49.3:50.7
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.88 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.36 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
90.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
69
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
97
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
1.08
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
5.8
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
99%
2003
English speaking
6%
2023
59%
2023
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
95.8%
2024

Health

Afghanistan Belgium
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$5,931
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$1,276
2023
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
82.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
0.01%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
3.57
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
29.5 years
2023
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
3.6
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
20.5%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
5.9%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
74
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
26.7%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
9.43 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan Belgium
% of world land
0.44%
2026
0.02%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
993 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
5,225 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
2,661 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
73,579 mi
2015

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2021–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  8. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  10. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)

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