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Afghanistan vs Iraq statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 46M in Iraq (ranked 34/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 167,619 sq mi for Iraq (ranked 40th vs. 57th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and Iraq ranks 50/197 ($280B). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while Iraq ranks 113/197 ($6,074).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan Iraq
Population
45409324
48289334
Population rank 36/197 33/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$280B
2024
GDP rank 137/197 50/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 113/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$14,464
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 105/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$5,928
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 167,619 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
286.5 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
3.25
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
21.6 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
72.6 years
2026

Afghanistan and Iraq: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and Iraq economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

Iraq
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan Iraq
2024 - $279,641,257,615
2023 $17,152,234,637 $268,881,051,644
2022 $14,497,243,872 $287,372,232,138
2021 $14,259,995,441 $209,691,945,713
2020 $19,955,929,052 $180,898,797,517
2019 $18,799,444,490 $233,636,097,800
2018 $18,053,222,687 $227,367,469,034
2017 $18,753,456,498 $187,217,660,051
2016 $18,116,572,395 $166,743,557,748
2015 $19,134,221,645 $166,774,104,959
2014 $20,497,128,556 $228,415,656,175
2013 $20,146,416,758 $234,637,675,129
2012 $19,907,329,778 $218,002,476,129
2011 $17,805,098,206 $185,749,664,444
2010 $15,856,668,556 $138,516,722,650
2009 $12,416,152,732 $111,657,580,326
2008 $10,109,297,048 $131,614,434,154
2007 $9,747,886,187 $88,837,057,320
2006 $6,971,758,282 $65,147,051,918
2005 $6,203,256,539 $50,065,104,668
2004 $5,224,896,719 $36,633,669,269
2003 $4,520,946,819 $21,921,569,479
2002 $3,825,701,439 $32,928,454,672
2001 $2,813,571,754 $36,176,430,129
2000 $3,521,418,060 $48,364,250,944
1999 - $36,881,601,584
1998 - $20,617,405,044
1997 - $20,764,857,056
1996 - $10,433,698,621
1995 - $12,894,029,888
1994 - $3,991,349,283
1993 - $1,031,944,881
1992 - $553,671,958
1991 - $407,796,350
1990 - $180,408,064,516
1989 - $65,831,935,484
1988 - $62,684,516,129
1987 - $56,774,193,548
1986 - $47,264,516,129
1985 - $48,425,161,290
1984 - $46,938,387,097
1983 - $40,712,903,226
1982 - $42,382,333,333
1981 - $37,823,000,000
1980 - $52,569,000,000
1979 - $37,816,457,839
1978 - $23,762,275,652
1977 - $19,838,130,715
1976 - $17,754,825,601
1975 - $13,458,516,763
1974 - $11,516,762,614
1973 - $5,134,367,778
1972 - $4,113,848,002
1971 - $3,865,346,535
1970 - $3,281,318,687
1969 - $3,007,758,797
1968 - $2,896,598,841
1967 - $2,551,522,656
1966 - $2,530,306,096
1965 - $2,335,785,506
1964 - $2,136,408,198
1963 - $1,805,901,510
1962 - $1,784,174,541
1961 - $1,671,960,965
1960 - $1,537,252,193

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

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

Afghanistan and Iraq economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

Iraq
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan Iraq
2024 - $6,074
2023 $414 $5,965
2022 $357 $6,521
2021 $356 $4,868
2020 $511 $4,295
2019 $497 $5,672
2018 $491 $5,647
2017 $525 $4,759
2016 $522 $4,334
2015 $566 $4,440
2014 $625 $6,249
2013 $637 $6,650
2012 $651 $6,478
2011 $607 $5,776
2010 $561 $4,462
2009 $452 $3,715
2008 $382 $4,543
2007 $376 $3,129
2006 $274.2 $2,277
2005 $254.2 $1,762
2004 $221.8 $1,328
2003 $198.9 $818
2002 $179 $1,266
2001 $138.7 $1,436
2000 $174.9 $1,980
1999 - $1,560
1998 - $901
1997 - $936
1996 - $485
1995 - $619
1994 - $198.2
1993 - $53.7
1992 - $30.3
1991 - $23
1990 - $10,261
1989 - $3,791
1988 - $3,707
1987 - $3,436
1986 - $2,940
1985 - $3,088
1984 - $3,066
1983 - $2,743
1982 - $2,942
1981 - $2,700
1980 - $3,868
1979 - $2,871
1978 - $1,863
1977 - $1,609
1976 - $1,489
1975 - $1,166
1974 - $1,031
1973 - $476
1972 - $394
1971 - $384
1970 - $337
1969 - $320
1968 - $319
1967 - $290.6
1966 - $298.2
1965 - $284.8
1964 - $269.4
1963 - $235.5
1962 - $240.7
1961 - $232.4
1960 - $218.9

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

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

Afghanistan vs. Iraq life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

Iraq
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan Iraq
2026 66.8 72.6
2025 66.5 72.5
2024 66.3 72.4
2023 66 72.3
2022 65.6 72
2021 60.4 70.7
2020 61.5 69.7
2019 62.9 71.2
2018 62.4 71.1
2017 62.4 69.8
2016 62.6 68.7
2015 62.3 70
2014 62.3 69.7
2013 62.2 69
2012 61.7 68.8
2011 61.3 68.4
2010 60.7 68.1
2009 60.2 67.8
2008 59.7 66.5
2007 59 64.4
2006 58.6 64
2005 58.2 64.9
2004 57.8 64.6
2003 57.2 64.8
2002 56.2 65.7
2001 55.5 65.3
2000 55 64.9
1999 54.5 64.5
1998 52.5 64.4
1997 53.2 64.2
1996 52.8 64.6
1995 52.1 64.8
1994 51 65
1993 51 65.3
1992 46.6 65.3
1991 45.5 61.3
1990 45.1 57.6
1989 44.5 57.5
1988 43.2 56.7
1987 38.8 60.3
1986 38.4 60
1985 32.1 59.8
1984 31.5 59.5
1983 36.5 59.3
1982 36.1 59
1981 39.4 58.7
1980 39.3 60.9
1979 38.8 64.4
1978 40.1 64.2
1977 41.1 63.9
1976 40.5 63.6
1975 40 61.4
1974 39.5 61
1973 39 62.3
1972 38.4 61.8
1971 37.9 61.3
1970 37.5 60.5
1969 37 59.6
1968 36.5 59
1967 36 58.4
1966 35.6 57.3
1965 35.1 56.4
1964 34.7 55.2
1963 34.2 54.4
1962 33.8 53.5
1961 33.3 52.3
1960 32.8 51.5
1959 32.3 49.7
1958 31.8 49
1957 31.3 47.7
1956 30.8 46.4
1955 30.4 45
1954 29.7 43.5
1953 29.5 42.1
1952 29 40.5
1951 28.6 39
1950 28.2 37.4

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

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

Afghanistan and Iraq population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

Iraq
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan Iraq
2024 42,647,492 46,042,015
2023 41,454,761 45,074,049
2022 40,578,842 44,070,551
2021 40,000,412 43,071,211
2020 39,068,979 42,116,605
2019 37,856,121 41,192,171
2018 36,743,039 40,265,624
2017 35,688,935 39,337,353
2016 34,700,612 38,469,627
2015 33,831,764 37,560,535
2014 32,792,523 36,550,059
2013 31,622,704 35,281,989
2012 30,560,034 33,654,842
2011 29,347,708 32,161,424
2010 28,284,089 31,045,366
2009 27,466,101 30,058,206
2008 26,482,622 28,971,036
2007 25,909,852 28,391,607
2006 25,424,094 28,616,515
2005 24,404,567 28,407,448
2004 23,560,654 27,577,878
2003 22,733,049 26,802,659
2002 21,378,117 26,006,559
2001 20,284,307 25,197,840
2000 20,130,327 24,424,056
1999 19,887,785 23,636,527
1998 19,159,996 22,884,399
1997 18,452,091 22,176,593
1996 17,763,266 21,501,321
1995 17,065,836 20,825,860
1994 16,250,794 20,139,807
1993 14,943,172 19,201,195
1992 13,278,974 18,300,845
1991 12,238,879 17,767,253
1990 12,045,660 17,581,206
1989 11,874,088 17,364,542
1988 11,523,298 16,908,819
1987 11,387,818 16,521,049
1986 11,420,074 16,074,145
1985 11,426,852 15,683,430
1984 11,190,221 15,310,733
1983 10,917,982 14,840,555
1982 10,991,378 14,406,083
1981 11,937,581 14,006,381
1980 13,169,311 13,591,992
1979 13,655,567 13,170,365
1978 13,611,441 12,753,355
1977 13,340,756 12,331,046
1976 13,059,851 11,927,651
1975 12,773,954 11,543,639
1974 12,469,127 11,167,761
1973 12,157,999 10,795,869
1972 11,853,696 10,430,164
1971 11,567,667 10,077,809
1970 11,290,128 9,735,611
1969 11,017,409 9,403,356
1968 10,756,922 9,085,016
1967 10,505,959 8,778,869
1966 10,266,395 8,485,104
1965 10,036,008 8,202,140
1964 9,814,318 7,929,566
1963 9,604,487 7,667,928
1962 9,404,406 7,413,875
1961 9,214,083 7,194,553
1960 9,035,043 7,022,052

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

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

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and Iraq

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

Iraq
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Iraq
2023 4.84 3.25
2022 4.93 3.29
2021 5.04 3.36
2020 5.15 3.42
2019 5.24 3.48
2018 5.33 3.55
2017 5.43 3.64
2016 5.54 3.84
2015 5.65 4.08
2014 5.77 4.31
2013 5.88 4.44
2012 5.99 4.54
2011 6.09 4.59
2010 6.2 4.46
2009 6.3 4.38
2008 6.39 4.37
2007 6.51 4.4
2006 6.69 4.46
2005 6.86 4.45
2004 7.02 4.53
2003 7.17 4.58
2002 7.32 4.67
2001 7.45 4.8
2000 7.57 4.92
1999 7.64 5.04
1998 7.69 5.11
1997 7.73 5.19
1996 7.76 5.25
1995 7.77 5.36
1994 7.77 5.49
1993 7.76 5.61
1992 7.7 5.72
1991 7.63 5.83
1990 7.58 5.93
1989 7.56 5.99
1988 7.55 6.05
1987 7.55 6.11
1986 7.55 6.18
1985 7.55 6.25
1984 7.55 6.32
1983 7.57 6.39
1982 7.6 6.46
1981 7.62 6.53
1980 7.64 6.59
1979 7.61 6.66
1978 7.6 6.73
1977 7.59 6.8
1976 7.56 6.86
1975 7.54 6.91
1974 7.53 6.95
1973 7.49 6.99
1972 7.45 7.02
1971 7.43 7.06
1970 7.4 7.07
1969 7.39 7.08
1968 7.36 7.06
1967 7.34 7.03
1966 7.32 7.02
1965 7.31 7.02
1964 7.3 7.01
1963 7.3 7.01
1962 7.29 6.99
1961 7.28 5.8
1960 7.28 5.3

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

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

Afghanistan and Iraq demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

Iraq
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan Iraq
2024 18.2 21.6
2023 18 21.4
2022 17.8 21.1
2021 17.6 20.9
2020 17.5 20.6
2019 17.3 20.4
2018 17.1 20.1
2017 17 19.9
2016 16.8 19.7
2015 16.6 19.5
2014 16.4 19.4
2013 16.2 19.3
2012 16 19.2
2011 15.9 19.1
2010 15.7 19
2009 15.5 18.9
2008 15.3 18.8
2007 15.2 18.7
2006 15.1 18.6
2005 15 18.5
2004 14.9 18.3
2003 14.9 18.2
2002 14.9 18.1
2001 14.9 18
2000 15 17.9
1999 15.1 17.9
1998 15.2 17.8
1997 15.3 17.7
1996 15.5 17.6
1995 15.6 17.5
1994 15.7 17.4
1993 15.8 17.3
1992 15.9 17.3
1991 16 17.2
1990 16.1 17.1
1989 16.1 17
1988 16.2 16.9
1987 16.3 16.9
1986 16.3 16.8
1985 16.4 16.7
1984 16.5 16.6
1983 16.6 16.6
1982 16.7 16.5
1981 16.8 16.5
1980 16.9 16.5
1979 17 16.5
1978 17.2 16.6
1977 17.3 16.6
1976 17.4 16.7
1975 17.5 17
1974 17.6 17.2
1973 17.7 17.5
1972 17.8 17.7
1971 17.9 17.9
1970 18.1 18.1
1969 18.2 18.3
1968 18.3 18.5
1967 18.4 18.7
1966 18.5 19
1965 18.6 19.3
1964 18.6 19.5
1963 18.7 19.8
1962 18.8 20.1
1961 18.9 20.4
1960 18.9 20.4

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan Iraq
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$277B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
42.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
3.55%
1989
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
2.36%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
459,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-4.14%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
16.2%
2021
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
51.6%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
15.6
2002
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2023
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$101B
2024
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$696M
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
892,000
2013
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
1.88%
2020
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
30.2%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan Iraq
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
1,412 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$10.2
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
238.7 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
5.18 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
98.7%
2022
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
1.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
0.37%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
-274.9%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
1,373 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
3.78%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
1.98%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan Iraq
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.57%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
-1,064
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
69.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
50.2:49.8
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.7 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.21 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
39.7
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
28
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
52
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
9.41
2013
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
27.3
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
41
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
84.1%
2021
English speaking
6%
2023
35%
2023
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
81.7%
2023

Health

Afghanistan Iraq
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$333
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$179.9
2023
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
72.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
1.15%
2022
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
1.02
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
66
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
22.6
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
41.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
13.4%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
14
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
19.2%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
0.24 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan Iraq
% of world land
0.44%
2026
0.29%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
3,641 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
36,592 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
3,185 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
n/a

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 (2002–2021, 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)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.