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Afghanistan vs Iran statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 91.6M in Iran (ranked 17/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 626,451 sq mi for Iran (ranked 40th vs. 17th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and Iran ranks 34/197 ($475B). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while Iran ranks 119/197 ($5,190).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan Iran
Population
45409324
93468444
Population rank 36/197 17/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$475B
2024
GDP rank 137/197 34/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 119/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$19,874
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 122/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$2,964
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 626,451 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
148.9 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
1.7
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
34.3 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
78.2 years
2026

Afghanistan and Iran: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and Iran economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

Iran
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan Iran
2024 - $475,252,089,215
2023 $17,152,234,637 $457,510,482,317
2022 $14,497,243,872 $422,662,261,526
2021 $14,259,995,441 $407,350,685,583
2020 $19,955,929,052 $280,934,329,280
2019 $18,799,444,490 $347,988,400,958
2018 $18,053,222,687 $411,903,303,606
2017 $18,753,456,498 $510,239,893,418
2016 $18,116,572,395 $478,618,064,871
2015 $19,134,221,645 $409,191,686,497
2014 $20,497,128,556 $462,284,793,281
2013 $20,146,416,758 $500,399,839,840
2012 $19,907,329,778 $644,019,315,004
2011 $17,805,098,206 $629,082,257,472
2010 $15,856,668,556 $487,069,570,464
2009 $12,416,152,732 $414,059,094,949
2008 $10,109,297,048 $406,070,949,554
2007 $9,747,886,187 $349,736,591,832
2006 $6,971,758,282 $265,602,187,404
2005 $6,203,256,539 $224,970,371,325
2004 $5,224,896,719 $187,754,571,248
2003 $4,520,946,819 $151,911,222,119
2002 $3,825,701,439 $128,626,917,504
2001 $2,813,571,754 $126,878,750,296
2000 $3,521,418,060 $109,591,707,802
1999 - $113,848,450,088
1998 - $110,276,913,363
1997 - $113,919,163,421
1996 - $120,403,931,885
1995 - $96,419,225,744
1994 - $71,841,461,173
1993 - $63,743,623,232
1992 - $119,768,691,217
1991 - $131,637,664,958
1990 - $124,813,263,926
1989 - $120,496,362,916
1988 - $123,057,861,334
1987 - $134,009,995,923
1986 - $209,094,561,833
1985 - $180,183,629,600
1984 - $162,276,728,620
1983 - $156,365,156,618
1982 - $125,948,756,439
1981 - $100,499,312,750
1980 - $94,362,275,580
1979 - $90,391,877,326
1978 - $77,994,316,621
1977 - $80,600,122,702
1976 - $68,055,295,081
1975 - $51,776,222,350
1974 - $46,209,092,072
1973 - $27,081,698,250
1972 - $17,153,463,263
1971 - $13,731,802,833
1970 - $10,976,245,154
1969 - $9,743,089,607
1968 - $8,623,172,960
1967 - $7,555,383,690
1966 - $6,789,938,672
1965 - $6,197,319,929
1964 - $5,379,845,648
1963 - $4,928,628,018
1962 - $4,693,566,416
1961 - $4,426,949,095
1960 - $4,199,134,390

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

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

Afghanistan and Iran economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

Iran
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan Iran
2024 - $5,190
2023 $414 $5,049
2022 $357 $4,721
2021 $356 $4,605
2020 $511 $3,203
2019 $497 $3,997
2018 $491 $4,783
2017 $525 $6,001
2016 $522 $5,711
2015 $566 $4,953
2014 $625 $5,672
2013 $637 $6,223
2012 $651 $8,114
2011 $607 $8,026
2010 $561 $6,291
2009 $452 $5,416
2008 $382 $5,377
2007 $376 $4,688
2006 $274.2 $3,619
2005 $254.2 $3,132
2004 $221.8 $2,672
2003 $198.9 $2,209
2002 $179 $1,891
2001 $138.7 $1,881
2000 $174.9 $1,650
1999 - $1,740
1998 - $1,709
1997 - $1,790
1996 - $1,915
1995 - $1,550
1994 - $1,168
1993 - $1,038
1992 - $1,957
1991 - $2,194
1990 - $2,138
1989 - $2,125
1988 - $2,234
1987 - $2,513
1986 - $4,064
1985 - $3,634
1984 - $3,395
1983 - $3,397
1982 - $2,845
1981 - $2,393
1980 - $2,368
1979 - $2,352
1978 - $2,101
1977 - $2,243
1976 - $1,954
1975 - $1,532
1974 - $1,409
1973 - $851
1972 - $555
1971 - $457
1970 - $377
1969 - $345
1968 - $314
1967 - $283.7
1966 - $262.9
1965 - $247.5
1964 - $221.7
1963 - $209.6
1962 - $205.8
1961 - $200.1
1960 - $195.6

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

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

Afghanistan vs. Iran life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

Iran
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan Iran
2026 66.8 78.2
2025 66.5 78.1
2024 66.3 77.9
2023 66 77.7
2022 65.6 76.8
2021 60.4 73.8
2020 61.5 74.1
2019 62.9 76.9
2018 62.4 76.6
2017 62.4 76.4
2016 62.6 76.2
2015 62.3 75.9
2014 62.3 75.6
2013 62.2 75.3
2012 61.7 75
2011 61.3 74.7
2010 60.7 74.4
2009 60.2 74
2008 59.7 73.7
2007 59 73.3
2006 58.6 72.9
2005 58.2 72.4
2004 57.8 72
2003 57.2 70.5
2002 56.2 71.1
2001 55.5 70.6
2000 55 70.2
1999 54.5 69.7
1998 52.5 69.2
1997 53.2 68.6
1996 52.8 68.3
1995 52.1 67.9
1994 51 67.5
1993 51 67
1992 46.6 66.7
1991 45.5 66.2
1990 45.1 64.1
1989 44.5 65.3
1988 43.2 63.3
1987 38.8 62.7
1986 38.4 62.1
1985 32.1 61.5
1984 31.5 60.9
1983 36.5 58.5
1982 36.1 57.6
1981 39.4 56.6
1980 39.3 58.4
1979 38.8 58.5
1978 40.1 56
1977 41.1 56.7
1976 40.5 55.8
1975 40 54.8
1974 39.5 53.9
1973 39 52.9
1972 38.4 51.7
1971 37.9 51.1
1970 37.5 50.2
1969 37 49.4
1968 36.5 47.9
1967 36 47.8
1966 35.6 47.1
1965 35.1 46.4
1964 34.7 45.7
1963 34.2 45.1
1962 33.8 43.8
1961 33.3 43.9
1960 32.8 43.3
1959 32.3 42.8
1958 31.8 42.2
1957 31.3 41.3
1956 30.8 41.1
1955 30.4 40.6
1954 29.7 40
1953 29.5 39.5
1952 29 39.2
1951 28.6 38.7
1950 28.2 38.2

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

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

Afghanistan and Iran population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

Iran
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan Iran
2024 42,647,492 91,567,738
2023 41,454,761 90,608,707
2022 40,578,842 89,524,246
2021 40,000,412 88,455,488
2020 39,068,979 87,723,443
2019 37,856,121 87,051,648
2018 36,743,039 86,117,998
2017 35,688,935 85,026,754
2016 34,700,612 83,812,228
2015 33,831,764 82,619,362
2014 32,792,523 81,502,045
2013 31,622,704 80,414,686
2012 30,560,034 79,370,580
2011 29,347,708 78,383,598
2010 28,284,089 77,420,842
2009 27,466,101 76,457,825
2008 26,482,622 75,514,204
2007 25,909,852 74,602,648
2006 25,424,094 73,392,747
2005 24,404,567 71,828,455
2004 23,560,654 70,256,316
2003 22,733,049 68,769,340
2002 21,378,117 68,011,317
2001 20,284,307 67,452,005
2000 20,130,327 66,418,659
1999 19,887,785 65,445,391
1998 19,159,996 64,519,859
1997 18,452,091 63,639,638
1996 17,763,266 62,881,300
1995 17,065,836 62,205,567
1994 16,250,794 61,520,598
1993 14,943,172 61,403,543
1992 13,278,974 61,184,983
1991 12,238,879 59,986,931
1990 12,045,660 58,380,092
1989 11,874,088 56,704,914
1988 11,523,298 55,072,694
1987 11,387,818 53,323,493
1986 11,420,074 51,446,045
1985 11,426,852 49,582,289
1984 11,190,221 47,793,998
1983 10,917,982 46,029,535
1982 10,991,378 44,272,141
1981 11,937,581 41,989,312
1980 13,169,311 39,842,324
1979 13,655,567 38,424,952
1978 13,611,441 37,126,535
1977 13,340,756 35,933,181
1976 13,059,851 34,837,271
1975 12,773,954 33,802,973
1974 12,469,127 32,796,463
1973 12,157,999 31,839,838
1972 11,853,696 30,921,179
1971 11,567,667 30,029,071
1970 11,290,128 29,145,100
1969 11,017,409 28,273,482
1968 10,756,922 27,437,391
1967 10,505,959 26,628,432
1966 10,266,395 25,829,270
1965 10,036,008 25,036,978
1964 9,814,318 24,262,859
1963 9,604,487 23,519,005
1962 9,404,406 22,807,907
1961 9,214,083 22,125,726
1960 9,035,043 21,470,434

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

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

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and Iran

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

Iran
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Iran
2023 4.84 1.7
2022 4.93 1.7
2021 5.04 1.71
2020 5.15 1.7
2019 5.24 1.77
2018 5.33 1.92
2017 5.43 2.02
2016 5.54 2.05
2015 5.65 2.02
2014 5.77 1.98
2013 5.88 1.91
2012 5.99 1.85
2011 6.09 1.79
2010 6.2 1.75
2009 6.3 1.74
2008 6.39 1.74
2007 6.51 1.75
2006 6.69 1.76
2005 6.86 1.76
2004 7.02 1.78
2003 7.17 1.8
2002 7.32 1.84
2001 7.45 1.92
2000 7.57 2
1999 7.64 2.09
1998 7.69 2.19
1997 7.73 2.32
1996 7.76 2.54
1995 7.77 2.85
1994 7.77 3.24
1993 7.76 3.67
1992 7.7 4.1
1991 7.63 4.57
1990 7.58 4.93
1989 7.56 5.17
1988 7.55 5.43
1987 7.55 5.72
1986 7.55 6.01
1985 7.55 6.24
1984 7.55 6.43
1983 7.57 6.53
1982 7.6 6.59
1981 7.62 6.62
1980 7.64 6.63
1979 7.61 6.55
1978 7.6 6.34
1977 7.59 6.18
1976 7.56 6.07
1975 7.54 5.95
1974 7.53 5.97
1973 7.49 6.06
1972 7.45 6.26
1971 7.43 6.55
1970 7.4 6.8
1969 7.39 7.01
1968 7.36 7.12
1967 7.34 7.19
1966 7.32 7.21
1965 7.31 7.22
1964 7.3 7.24
1963 7.3 7.32
1962 7.29 7.4
1961 7.28 7.46
1960 7.28 7.52

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

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

Afghanistan and Iran demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

Iran
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan Iran
2024 18.2 34.3
2023 18 33.8
2022 17.8 33.3
2021 17.6 32.8
2020 17.5 32.3
2019 17.3 31.7
2018 17.1 31.2
2017 17 30.7
2016 16.8 30.2
2015 16.6 29.7
2014 16.4 29.2
2013 16.2 28.7
2012 16 28.2
2011 15.9 27.7
2010 15.7 27.2
2009 15.5 26.6
2008 15.3 26.1
2007 15.2 25.5
2006 15.1 24.8
2005 15 24.3
2004 14.9 23.7
2003 14.9 23.1
2002 14.9 22.6
2001 14.9 22
2000 15 21.4
1999 15.1 20.7
1998 15.2 20
1997 15.3 19.5
1996 15.5 19.1
1995 15.6 18.7
1994 15.7 18.4
1993 15.8 18.3
1992 15.9 18.4
1991 16 18.3
1990 16.1 18.2
1989 16.1 18.1
1988 16.2 18.2
1987 16.3 18.2
1986 16.3 18.2
1985 16.4 18.3
1984 16.5 18.4
1983 16.6 18.5
1982 16.7 18.6
1981 16.8 18.4
1980 16.9 18.2
1979 17 18.3
1978 17.2 18.3
1977 17.3 18.3
1976 17.4 18.2
1975 17.5 18.1
1974 17.6 18
1973 17.7 17.9
1972 17.8 17.8
1971 17.9 17.7
1970 18.1 17.6
1969 18.2 17.6
1968 18.3 17.6
1967 18.4 17.7
1966 18.5 17.7
1965 18.6 17.8
1964 18.6 17.9
1963 18.7 18.1
1962 18.8 18.4
1961 18.9 18.7
1960 18.9 19.1

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan Iran
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$469B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
14.2%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
2.82%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
2.01%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
650,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-3.83%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
7.63%
2024
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
36.1%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
41.8
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2023
Listed domestic companies n/a
594
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$172B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$7.69B
1982
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$1.03B
2004
International tourist arrivals n/a
1,550,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
2.28%
2000
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
91.1%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan Iran
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
3,266 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$5.37
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
829 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
9.05 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
98.8%
2022
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
0.9%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
1.14%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
-32.5%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
3,664 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
4.24%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
3.43%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
2.2%
2022
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan Iran
% of world population
0.52%
2024
1.13%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
+116,786
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
77%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
50.8:49.2
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.29 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
40.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
23
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
78
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
2.42
2014
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
21.5
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
52
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
88.9%
2023
English speaking
6%
2023
12%
2025
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
79.6%
2023

Health

Afghanistan Iran
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$267.1
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$115.2
2023
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
78.2 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
0.71%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
1.81
2023
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
11.8
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
25.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
9%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
27
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
13.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
0.51 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan Iran
% of world land
0.44%
2026
1.09%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
6,841 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
181,727 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
41,654 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
138,867 mi
2018

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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