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Afghanistan vs Ireland statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 5.4M in Ireland (ranked 120/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 26,599 sq mi for Ireland (ranked 40th vs. 119th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and Ireland ranks 25/197 ($609B). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while Ireland ranks 4/197 ($112,895).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan Ireland
Population
45409324
5518360
Population rank 36/197 121/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$609B
2024
GDP rank 137/197 25/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 4/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$133,437
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 11/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$47,851
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 26,599 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
207 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
1.5
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
39.7 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
82.9 years
2026

Afghanistan and Ireland: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and Ireland economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

Ireland
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan Ireland
2024 - $609,157,459,747
2023 $17,152,234,637 $567,372,737,459
2022 $14,497,243,872 $548,341,794,599
2021 $14,259,995,441 $530,394,123,830
2020 $19,955,929,052 $436,009,027,819
2019 $18,799,444,490 $407,211,793,801
2018 $18,053,222,687 $395,780,319,817
2017 $18,753,456,498 $348,355,212,569
2016 $18,116,572,395 $305,431,252,709
2015 $19,134,221,645 $302,101,388,556
2014 $20,497,128,556 $266,490,442,124
2013 $20,146,416,758 $242,924,245,719
2012 $19,907,329,778 $226,921,827,888
2011 $17,805,098,206 $240,975,871,047
2010 $15,856,668,556 $221,732,824,603
2009 $12,416,152,732 $236,443,115,854
2008 $10,109,297,048 $275,447,471,451
2007 $9,747,886,187 $270,079,279,420
2006 $6,971,758,282 $232,180,617,162
2005 $6,203,256,539 $211,876,989,656
2004 $5,224,896,719 $194,372,115,041
2003 $4,520,946,819 $164,670,771,260
2002 $3,825,701,439 $128,596,035,288
2001 $2,813,571,754 $109,346,669,230
2000 $3,521,418,060 $100,207,610,430
1999 - $98,893,958,263
1998 - $90,199,410,116
1997 - $82,856,648,758
1996 - $75,790,786,290
1995 - $69,139,823,232
1994 - $57,097,656,066
1993 - $52,417,477,614
1992 - $55,918,538,121
1991 - $49,787,501,584
1990 - $49,305,632,408
1989 - $39,238,392,678
1988 - $37,772,896,221
1987 - $33,920,518,493
1986 - $28,714,571,852
1985 - $21,270,013,326
1984 - $20,106,648,455
1983 - $20,766,047,764
1982 - $21,474,752,962
1981 - $20,670,190,138
1980 - $21,747,855,640
1979 - $18,319,334,300
1978 - $14,647,996,074
1977 - $11,248,340,431
1976 - $9,453,756,015
1975 - $9,483,808,362
1974 - $7,896,860,615
1973 - $7,481,173,066
1972 - $6,318,060,582
1971 - $5,098,250,287
1970 - $4,395,995,086
1969 - $3,902,721,632
1968 - $3,378,701,147
1967 - $3,445,739,915
1966 - $3,198,820,904
1965 - $3,035,655,794
1964 - $2,851,091,646
1963 - $2,505,073,358
1962 - $2,329,372,972
1961 - $2,151,772,980
1960 - $1,998,550,222

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

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

Afghanistan and Ireland economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

Ireland
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan Ireland
2024 - $112,895
2023 $414 $106,819
2022 $357 $105,191
2021 $356 $103,783
2020 $511 $86,514
2019 $497 $81,828
2018 $491 $80,804
2017 $525 $72,161
2016 $522 $64,130
2015 $566 $64,250
2014 $625 $57,215
2013 $637 $52,538
2012 $651 $49,336
2011 $607 $52,614
2010 $561 $48,624
2009 $452 $52,133
2008 $382 $61,353
2007 $376 $61,396
2006 $274.2 $54,329
2005 $254.2 $50,933
2004 $221.8 $47,754
2003 $198.9 $41,204
2002 $179 $32,705
2001 $138.7 $28,282
2000 $174.9 $26,335
1999 - $26,338
1998 - $24,295
1997 - $22,551
1996 - $20,836
1995 - $19,158
1994 - $15,903
1993 - $14,657
1992 - $15,714
1991 - $14,087
1990 - $14,031
1989 - $11,176
1988 - $10,716
1987 - $9,582
1986 - $8,112
1985 - $6,012
1984 - $5,692
1983 - $5,915
1982 - $6,161
1981 - $5,986
1980 - $6,372
1979 - $5,430
1978 - $4,400
1977 - $3,427
1976 - $2,920
1975 - $2,973
1974 - $2,517
1973 - $2,424
1972 - $2,080
1971 - $1,704
1970 - $1,487
1969 - $1,331
1968 - $1,159
1967 - $1,187
1966 - $1,107
1965 - $1,055
1964 - $995
1963 - $878
1962 - $821
1961 - $762
1960 - $707

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

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

Afghanistan vs. Ireland life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

Ireland
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan Ireland
2026 66.8 82.9
2025 66.5 82.7
2024 66.3 82.6
2023 66 82.4
2022 65.6 82.1
2021 60.4 81.9
2020 61.5 82.4
2019 62.9 82.4
2018 62.4 82.1
2017 62.4 82.1
2016 62.6 81.7
2015 62.3 81.5
2014 62.3 81.4
2013 62.2 81.1
2012 61.7 80.9
2011 61.3 80.7
2010 60.7 80.6
2009 60.2 80.1
2008 59.7 79.8
2007 59 79.6
2006 58.6 79.2
2005 58.2 78.9
2004 57.8 78.5
2003 57.2 78.1
2002 56.2 77.6
2001 55.5 77.1
2000 55 76.5
1999 54.5 76.1
1998 52.5 76.2
1997 53.2 76
1996 52.8 75.8
1995 52.1 75.5
1994 51 75.8
1993 51 75.3
1992 46.6 75.4
1991 45.5 75
1990 45.1 74.8
1989 44.5 74.5
1988 43.2 74.4
1987 38.8 74.4
1986 38.4 73.6
1985 32.1 73.6
1984 31.5 73.6
1983 36.5 73.2
1982 36.1 73.2
1981 39.4 72.9
1980 39.3 72.5
1979 38.8 72.2
1978 40.1 71.9
1977 41.1 71.9
1976 40.5 71.8
1975 40 71.7
1974 39.5 71.1
1973 39 71.2
1972 38.4 71
1971 37.9 71.6
1970 37.5 70.8
1969 37 70.8
1968 36.5 70.9
1967 36 71.2
1966 35.6 70.2
1965 35.1 70.6
1964 34.7 70.4
1963 34.2 70.2
1962 33.8 69.9
1961 33.3 69.6
1960 32.8 70.2
1959 32.3 69.4
1958 31.8 69.3
1957 31.3 69
1956 30.8 69
1955 30.4 68
1954 29.7 68
1953 29.5 67.9
1952 29 67.2
1951 28.6 64.8
1950 28.2 65.6

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

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

Afghanistan and Ireland population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

Ireland
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan Ireland
2024 42,647,492 5,395,790
2023 41,454,761 5,311,538
2022 40,578,842 5,212,836
2021 40,000,412 5,110,585
2020 39,068,979 5,039,747
2019 37,856,121 4,976,456
2018 36,743,039 4,898,022
2017 35,688,935 4,827,445
2016 34,700,612 4,762,722
2015 33,831,764 4,701,957
2014 32,792,523 4,657,740
2013 31,622,704 4,623,816
2012 30,560,034 4,599,533
2011 29,347,708 4,580,084
2010 28,284,089 4,560,155
2009 27,466,101 4,535,375
2008 26,482,622 4,489,544
2007 25,909,852 4,398,942
2006 25,424,094 4,273,591
2005 24,404,567 4,159,914
2004 23,560,654 4,070,262
2003 22,733,049 3,996,521
2002 21,378,117 3,931,947
2001 20,284,307 3,866,243
2000 20,130,327 3,805,174
1999 19,887,785 3,754,786
1998 19,159,996 3,712,696
1997 18,452,091 3,674,171
1996 17,763,266 3,637,510
1995 17,065,836 3,608,841
1994 16,250,794 3,590,386
1993 14,943,172 3,576,261
1992 13,278,974 3,558,430
1991 12,238,879 3,534,235
1990 12,045,660 3,513,974
1989 11,874,088 3,511,009
1988 11,523,298 3,524,949
1987 11,387,818 3,540,057
1986 11,420,074 3,539,690
1985 11,426,852 3,538,082
1984 11,190,221 3,532,423
1983 10,917,982 3,510,600
1982 10,991,378 3,485,800
1981 11,937,581 3,453,000
1980 13,169,311 3,412,800
1979 13,655,567 3,373,750
1978 13,611,441 3,329,100
1977 13,340,756 3,282,200
1976 13,059,851 3,238,050
1975 12,773,954 3,189,550
1974 12,469,127 3,137,500
1973 12,157,999 3,085,950
1972 11,853,696 3,036,850
1971 11,567,667 2,992,050
1970 11,290,128 2,957,250
1969 11,017,409 2,932,650
1968 10,756,922 2,915,550
1967 10,505,959 2,902,450
1966 10,266,395 2,888,800
1965 10,036,008 2,877,300
1964 9,814,318 2,866,550
1963 9,604,487 2,852,650
1962 9,404,406 2,836,050
1961 9,214,083 2,824,400
1960 9,035,043 2,828,600

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

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

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and Ireland

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

Ireland
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Ireland
2023 4.84 1.5
2022 4.93 1.54
2021 5.04 1.78
2020 5.15 1.63
2019 5.24 1.71
2018 5.33 1.75
2017 5.43 1.77
2016 5.54 1.81
2015 5.65 1.85
2014 5.77 1.89
2013 5.88 1.93
2012 5.99 1.98
2011 6.09 2.03
2010 6.2 2.05
2009 6.3 2.06
2008 6.39 2.06
2007 6.51 2.01
2006 6.69 1.91
2005 6.86 1.86
2004 7.02 1.93
2003 7.17 1.96
2002 7.32 1.97
2001 7.45 1.94
2000 7.57 1.89
1999 7.64 1.9
1998 7.69 1.94
1997 7.73 1.93
1996 7.76 1.88
1995 7.77 1.84
1994 7.77 1.85
1993 7.76 1.9
1992 7.7 1.99
1991 7.63 2.08
1990 7.58 2.11
1989 7.56 2.08
1988 7.55 2.17
1987 7.55 2.32
1986 7.55 2.44
1985 7.55 2.48
1984 7.55 2.58
1983 7.57 2.74
1982 7.6 2.94
1981 7.62 3.05
1980 7.64 3.21
1979 7.61 3.21
1978 7.6 3.21
1977 7.59 3.24
1976 7.56 3.29
1975 7.54 3.37
1974 7.53 3.59
1973 7.49 3.71
1972 7.45 3.84
1971 7.43 3.93
1970 7.4 3.85
1969 7.39 3.83
1968 7.36 3.77
1967 7.34 3.84
1966 7.32 3.94
1965 7.31 4.04
1964 7.3 4.07
1963 7.3 4.01
1962 7.29 3.92
1961 7.28 3.78
1960 7.28 3.78

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

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

Afghanistan and Ireland demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

Ireland
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan Ireland
2024 18.2 39.7
2023 18 39.4
2022 17.8 38.9
2021 17.6 38.6
2020 17.5 38.2
2019 17.3 37.8
2018 17.1 37.4
2017 17 37.1
2016 16.8 36.8
2015 16.6 36.4
2014 16.4 36
2013 16.2 35.6
2012 16 35.2
2011 15.9 34.8
2010 15.7 34.3
2009 15.5 33.9
2008 15.3 33.5
2007 15.2 33.4
2006 15.1 33.4
2005 15 33.4
2004 14.9 33.4
2003 14.9 33.2
2002 14.9 33
2001 14.9 32.7
2000 15 32.5
1999 15.1 32.2
1998 15.2 31.9
1997 15.3 31.6
1996 15.5 31.3
1995 15.6 30.9
1994 15.7 30.6
1993 15.8 30.2
1992 15.9 29.9
1991 16 29.6
1990 16.1 29.2
1989 16.1 28.8
1988 16.2 28.4
1987 16.3 27.9
1986 16.3 27.6
1985 16.4 27.3
1984 16.5 27.1
1983 16.6 26.9
1982 16.7 26.7
1981 16.8 26.6
1980 16.9 26.5
1979 17 26.5
1978 17.2 26.5
1977 17.3 26.5
1976 17.4 26.4
1975 17.5 26.5
1974 17.6 26.5
1973 17.7 26.7
1972 17.8 26.9
1971 17.9 27.1
1970 18.1 27.4
1969 18.2 27.6
1968 18.3 27.8
1967 18.4 28
1966 18.5 28.2
1965 18.6 28.6
1964 18.6 28.9
1963 18.7 29.2
1962 18.8 29.5
1961 18.9 29.8
1960 18.9 30.1

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan Ireland
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$435B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
22.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
2.9%
2021
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
0.24%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
9,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
+4.09%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.27%
2024
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
33.6%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
83.3
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2023
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.0003%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
43
2018
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$12.7B
2024
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$656M
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
10,951,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
0.68%
2020
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
98.3%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan Ireland
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
2,468 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$52.6
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
32.6 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
6.04 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
82.4%
2023
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
12.7%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
8.94%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
85.8%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
6,145 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
37.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
3.88%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan Ireland
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.07%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
+35,417
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
64.3%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
49.5:50.5
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.87 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.4 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
94.9
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
76
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
88
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
0.65
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
3.1
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
99%
2003
English speaking
6%
2023
98.4%
2023
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
96.5%
2023

Health

Afghanistan Ireland
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$7,395
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$784
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
82.9 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
3.88
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
31.6 years
2023
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
3.8
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
29.3%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
3.6%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
87
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
19.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
10.8 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan Ireland
% of world land
0.44%
2026
0.05%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
4,930 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
16,174 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
3,066 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
62,031 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)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2023, retrieved 2026-03-10)

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