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Afghanistan vs China statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 1.41B in China (ranked 2/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 3,624,808 sq mi for China (ranked 40th vs. 2nd).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and China ranks 2/197 ($18.7T). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while China ranks 76/197 ($13,303).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan China
Population
45409324
1402578808
Population rank 36/197 2/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$18.7T
2024
GDP rank 137/197 2/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$13,303
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 76/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$27,105
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$16.6T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
88.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$11,749
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 47/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$9,826
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 3,624,808 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
387 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
1
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
40.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
79 years
2026

Afghanistan and China: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and China economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

China
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan China
2024 - $18,743,803,170,827
2023 $17,152,234,637 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $14,497,243,872 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $14,259,995,441 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $19,955,929,052 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $18,799,444,490 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $18,053,222,687 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $18,753,456,498 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $18,116,572,395 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $19,134,221,645 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $20,497,128,556 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $20,146,416,758 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $19,907,329,778 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $17,805,098,206 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $15,856,668,556 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $12,416,152,732 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $10,109,297,048 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $9,747,886,187 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $6,971,758,282 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $6,203,256,539 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $5,224,896,719 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $4,520,946,819 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $3,825,701,439 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $2,813,571,754 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $3,521,418,060 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 - $1,103,843,203,576
1998 - $1,037,134,141,760
1997 - $967,753,570,435
1996 - $868,523,936,530
1995 - $738,190,896,228
1994 - $566,929,539,493
1993 - $446,557,291,212
1992 - $428,502,354,788
1991 - $384,510,452,962
1990 - $361,560,229,446
1989 - $348,380,566,802
1988 - $312,888,888,889
1987 - $273,455,156,951
1986 - $301,310,144,928
1985 - $310,064,625,850
1984 - $260,442,857,143
1983 - $231,130,268,199
1982 - $205,480,916,031
1981 - $196,218,253,968
1980 - $191,487,500,000
1979 - $178,573,913,043
1978 - $149,788,617,886
1977 - $175,226,595,860
1976 - $154,196,810,059
1975 - $163,687,619,736
1974 - $144,418,433,058
1973 - $138,764,340,892
1972 - $113,871,930,714
1971 - $99,959,013,880
1970 - $92,752,930,873
1969 - $79,847,786,729
1968 - $70,980,323,819
1967 - $73,011,350,596
1966 - $76,854,053,259
1965 - $70,565,994,356
1964 - $59,821,862,703
1963 - $50,812,227,919
1962 - $47,310,737,754
1961 - $50,162,299,350
1960 - $59,846,235,025

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

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

Afghanistan and China economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

China
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan China
2024 - $13,303
2023 $414 $12,951
2022 $357 $12,971
2021 $356 $12,887
2020 $511 $10,627
2019 $497 $10,343
2018 $491 $10,086
2017 $525 $8,980
2016 $522 $8,255
2015 $566 $8,175
2014 $625 $7,781
2013 $637 $7,147
2012 $651 $6,405
2011 $607 $5,704
2010 $561 $4,629
2009 $452 $3,898
2008 $382 $3,523
2007 $376 $2,735
2006 $274.2 $2,129
2005 $254.2 $1,778
2004 $221.8 $1,531
2003 $198.9 $1,307
2002 $179 $1,164
2001 $138.7 $1,065
2000 $174.9 $969
1999 - $881
1998 - $835
1997 - $787
1996 - $713
1995 - $613
1994 - $476
1993 - $379
1992 - $368
1991 - $334
1990 - $319
1989 - $311
1988 - $284
1987 - $252.3
1986 - $282.4
1985 - $295
1984 - $251.2
1983 - $225.9
1982 - $203.7
1981 - $197.4
1980 - $195.1
1979 - $184.3
1978 - $156.7
1977 - $185.7
1976 - $165.7
1975 - $178.6
1974 - $160.4
1973 - $157.3
1972 - $132.1
1971 - $118.8
1970 - $113.3
1969 - $100.3
1968 - $91.6
1967 - $96.8
1966 - $104.5
1965 - $98.7
1964 - $85.7
1963 - $74.5
1962 - $71.1
1961 - $76
1960 - $89.7

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

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

Afghanistan vs. China life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

China
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan China
2026 66.8 79
2025 66.5 78.4
2024 66.3 78
2023 66 78
2022 65.6 78.2
2021 60.4 78.1
2020 61.5 78
2019 62.9 77.9
2018 62.4 77.7
2017 62.4 77.2
2016 62.6 77.2
2015 62.3 77
2014 62.3 76.7
2013 62.2 76.5
2012 61.7 76.2
2011 61.3 75.9
2010 60.7 75.7
2009 60.2 75.3
2008 59.7 74.8
2007 59 74.8
2006 58.6 74.4
2005 58.2 74.1
2004 57.8 73.7
2003 57.2 73.4
2002 56.2 73
2001 55.5 72.7
2000 55 72.3
1999 54.5 72
1998 52.5 71.6
1997 53.2 71.2
1996 52.8 70.8
1995 52.1 70.4
1994 51 69.8
1993 51 69.5
1992 46.6 69.1
1991 45.5 68.6
1990 45.1 68.2
1989 44.5 67.9
1988 43.2 67.6
1987 38.8 67.3
1986 38.4 66.9
1985 32.1 66.5
1984 31.5 66.1
1983 36.5 65.7
1982 36.1 65.2
1981 39.4 64.8
1980 39.3 64.2
1979 38.8 63.7
1978 40.1 63.1
1977 41.1 62.5
1976 40.5 61.2
1975 40 61
1974 39.5 60.2
1973 39 59.5
1972 38.4 58.6
1971 37.9 57.7
1970 37.5 56.8
1969 37 56
1968 36.5 55.2
1967 36 54.4
1966 35.6 53.7
1965 35.1 53
1964 34.7 52.3
1963 34.2 51.7
1962 33.8 51
1961 33.3 40.2
1960 32.8 33.4
1959 32.3 40.2
1958 31.8 48.8
1957 31.3 48.4
1956 30.8 47.8
1955 30.4 47.2
1954 29.7 46.8
1953 29.5 45.9
1952 29 45.3
1951 28.6 44.6
1950 28.2 43.8

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

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

Afghanistan and China population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

China
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan China
2024 42,647,492 1,408,975,000
2023 41,454,761 1,410,710,000
2022 40,578,842 1,412,175,000
2021 40,000,412 1,412,360,000
2020 39,068,979 1,411,100,000
2019 37,856,121 1,407,745,000
2018 36,743,039 1,402,760,000
2017 35,688,935 1,396,215,000
2016 34,700,612 1,387,790,000
2015 33,831,764 1,379,860,000
2014 32,792,523 1,371,860,000
2013 31,622,704 1,363,240,000
2012 30,560,034 1,354,190,000
2011 29,347,708 1,345,035,000
2010 28,284,089 1,337,705,000
2009 27,466,101 1,331,260,000
2008 26,482,622 1,324,655,000
2007 25,909,852 1,317,885,000
2006 25,424,094 1,311,020,000
2005 24,404,567 1,303,720,000
2004 23,560,654 1,296,075,000
2003 22,733,049 1,288,400,000
2002 21,378,117 1,280,400,000
2001 20,284,307 1,271,850,000
2000 20,130,327 1,262,645,000
1999 19,887,785 1,252,735,000
1998 19,159,996 1,241,935,000
1997 18,452,091 1,230,075,000
1996 17,763,266 1,217,550,000
1995 17,065,836 1,204,855,000
1994 16,250,794 1,191,835,000
1993 14,943,172 1,178,440,000
1992 13,278,974 1,164,970,000
1991 12,238,879 1,150,780,000
1990 12,045,660 1,135,185,000
1989 11,874,088 1,118,650,000
1988 11,523,298 1,101,630,000
1987 11,387,818 1,084,035,000
1986 11,420,074 1,066,790,000
1985 11,426,852 1,051,040,000
1984 11,190,221 1,036,825,000
1983 10,917,982 1,023,310,000
1982 10,991,378 1,008,630,000
1981 11,937,581 993,885,000
1980 13,169,311 981,235,000
1979 13,655,567 969,005,000
1978 13,611,441 956,165,000
1977 13,340,756 943,455,000
1976 13,059,851 930,685,000
1975 12,773,954 916,395,000
1974 12,469,127 900,350,000
1973 12,157,999 881,940,000
1972 11,853,696 862,030,000
1971 11,567,667 841,105,000
1970 11,290,128 818,315,000
1969 11,017,409 796,025,000
1968 10,756,922 774,510,000
1967 10,505,959 754,550,000
1966 10,266,395 735,400,000
1965 10,036,008 715,185,000
1964 9,814,318 698,355,000
1963 9,604,487 682,335,000
1962 9,404,406 665,770,000
1961 9,214,083 660,330,000
1960 9,035,043 667,070,000

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

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

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and China

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

China
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan China
2023 4.84 1
2022 4.93 1.03
2021 5.04 1.12
2020 5.15 1.24
2019 5.24 1.5
2018 5.33 1.54
2017 5.43 1.8
2016 5.54 1.77
2015 5.65 1.67
2014 5.77 1.77
2013 5.88 1.71
2012 5.99 1.8
2011 6.09 1.67
2010 6.2 1.69
2009 6.3 1.71
2008 6.39 1.7
2007 6.51 1.67
2006 6.69 1.64
2005 6.86 1.62
2004 7.02 1.61
2003 7.17 1.57
2002 7.32 1.57
2001 7.45 1.56
2000 7.57 1.63
1999 7.64 1.53
1998 7.69 1.52
1997 7.73 1.53
1996 7.76 1.55
1995 7.77 1.59
1994 7.77 1.63
1993 7.76 1.69
1992 7.7 1.78
1991 7.63 1.93
1990 7.58 2.51
1989 7.56 2.52
1988 7.55 2.54
1987 7.55 2.76
1986 7.55 2.72
1985 7.55 2.63
1984 7.55 2.61
1983 7.57 2.56
1982 7.6 2.97
1981 7.62 2.79
1980 7.64 2.74
1979 7.61 2.75
1978 7.6 2.72
1977 7.59 2.84
1976 7.56 3.24
1975 7.54 3.57
1974 7.53 4.17
1973 7.49 4.73
1972 7.45 5.11
1971 7.43 5.52
1970 7.4 6.09
1969 7.39 6.18
1968 7.36 6.51
1967 7.34 5.81
1966 7.32 6.31
1965 7.31 6.61
1964 7.3 6.67
1963 7.3 7.51
1962 7.29 6.09
1961 7.28 3.86
1960 7.28 4.45

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

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

Afghanistan and China demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

China
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan China
2024 18.2 40.6
2023 18 40.1
2022 17.8 39.6
2021 17.6 39
2020 17.5 38.5
2019 17.3 38.1
2018 17.1 37.7
2017 17 37.4
2016 16.8 37.1
2015 16.6 36.7
2014 16.4 36.3
2013 16.2 36
2012 16 35.7
2011 15.9 35.5
2010 15.7 35.1
2009 15.5 34.7
2008 15.3 34.2
2007 15.2 33.7
2006 15.1 33.1
2005 15 32.6
2004 14.9 32.1
2003 14.9 31.6
2002 14.9 31.1
2001 14.9 30.5
2000 15 30
1999 15.1 29.4
1998 15.2 28.8
1997 15.3 28.3
1996 15.5 27.8
1995 15.6 27.2
1994 15.7 26.6
1993 15.8 26.1
1992 15.9 25.6
1991 16 25.1
1990 16.1 24.7
1989 16.1 24.4
1988 16.2 23.9
1987 16.3 23.6
1986 16.3 23.4
1985 16.4 23.2
1984 16.5 23
1983 16.6 22.6
1982 16.7 22.1
1981 16.8 21.8
1980 16.9 21.6
1979 17 21.4
1978 17.2 21.2
1977 17.3 20.8
1976 17.4 20.4
1975 17.5 20.1
1974 17.6 19.7
1973 17.7 19.5
1972 17.8 19.3
1971 17.9 19.2
1970 18.1 19.1
1969 18.2 19.1
1968 18.3 19.2
1967 18.4 19.2
1966 18.5 19.3
1965 18.6 19.6
1964 18.6 19.9
1963 18.7 20.4
1962 18.8 21
1961 18.9 21.1
1960 18.9 20.9

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan China
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$19.3T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
32.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
4%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
1.71%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
2,535,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-7.34%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.11%
2021
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
56.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
36.5%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
48.3
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2022
Number of millionaires n/a
6,327,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
0.57%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
450
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00004%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
11,231
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.8T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$3.46T
2024
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$31.4B
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
30,402,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
4.59%
2004
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
89.4%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan China
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
2,851 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$8.83
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
13,125 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
9.32 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
86.7%
2022
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
15.2%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
9.76%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
24%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
6,524 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
28.4%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
13.5%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
4.55%
2023
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan China
% of world population
0.52%
2024
17.3%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
-268,126
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
65.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
50.9:49.1
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.36 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
52.3
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
43
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
87
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
0.5
2020
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
17.4
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
92
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
96.7%
2020
English speaking
6%
2023
0.7%
2023
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
92%
2024

Health

Afghanistan China
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$763
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$245.6
2023
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
79 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
0.005%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
3.11
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
16
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
6.2
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
8.37%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
11.9%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
14
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
23.4%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
4.58 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan China
% of world land
0.44%
2026
6.3%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
2,573 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
2,009,326 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
871,112 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
3,411,576 mi
2024

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)

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