Skip to content

Afghanistan vs Malaysia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 35.6M in Malaysia (ranked 44/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 126,854 sq mi for Malaysia (ranked 40th vs. 65th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and Malaysia ranks 38/197 ($422B). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while Malaysia ranks 79/197 ($11,874).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan Malaysia
Population
45409324
36512221
Population rank 36/197 45/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$422B
2024
GDP rank 137/197 38/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$11,874
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 79/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$38,779
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$296B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
70.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$8,322
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 62/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$11,005
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 126,854 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
287 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
1.55
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
31.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
77.2 years
2026

Afghanistan and Malaysia: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and Malaysia economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

Malaysia
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan Malaysia
2024 - $422,227,005,429
2023 $17,152,234,637 $399,949,418,753
2022 $14,497,243,872 $407,830,525,990
2021 $14,259,995,441 $373,784,553,030
2020 $19,955,929,052 $337,456,163,961
2019 $18,799,444,490 $365,177,721,022
2018 $18,053,222,687 $358,788,845,713
2017 $18,753,456,498 $319,109,094,160
2016 $18,116,572,395 $301,256,033,870
2015 $19,134,221,645 $301,355,266,965
2014 $20,497,128,556 $338,066,095,097
2013 $20,146,416,758 $323,276,235,524
2012 $19,907,329,778 $314,443,047,642
2011 $17,805,098,206 $297,951,668,675
2010 $15,856,668,556 $255,017,638,456
2009 $12,416,152,732 $202,257,453,037
2008 $10,109,297,048 $230,811,614,370
2007 $9,747,886,187 $193,549,569,478
2006 $6,971,758,282 $162,692,258,307
2005 $6,203,256,539 $143,534,405,819
2004 $5,224,896,719 $124,749,473,684
2003 $4,520,946,819 $110,202,368,421
2002 $3,825,701,439 $100,845,526,316
2001 $2,813,571,754 $92,783,947,368
2000 $3,521,418,060 $93,789,736,842
1999 - $79,148,421,053
1998 - $72,167,498,981
1997 - $100,005,323,302
1996 - $100,855,393,910
1995 - $88,705,342,903
1994 - $74,478,356,958
1993 - $66,894,966,969
1992 - $59,167,550,163
1991 - $49,143,148,094
1990 - $44,024,585,240
1989 - $38,847,965,293
1988 - $35,272,109,220
1987 - $32,181,210,158
1986 - $27,734,111,400
1985 - $31,199,633,353
1984 - $33,942,897,422
1983 - $30,347,442,111
1982 - $26,804,493,635
1981 - $25,004,285,792
1980 - $24,488,224,677
1979 - $21,213,264,962
1978 - $16,358,079,862
1977 - $13,139,488,633
1976 - $11,050,234,599
1975 - $9,298,800,799
1974 - $9,496,204,302
1973 - $7,662,902,678
1972 - $5,043,347,250
1971 - $4,244,395,956
1970 - $3,864,145,667
1969 - $3,664,552,041
1968 - $3,330,371,551
1967 - $3,188,924,677
1966 - $3,143,517,944
1965 - $2,956,337,669
1964 - $2,674,423,922
1963 - $2,510,110,348
1962 - $2,001,489,602
1961 - $1,901,856,123
1960 - $1,916,229,477

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

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

Afghanistan and Malaysia economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

Malaysia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan Malaysia
2024 - $11,874
2023 $414 $11,386
2022 $357 $11,755
2021 $356 $10,903
2020 $511 $9,958
2019 $497 $10,920
2018 $491 $10,902
2017 $525 $9,863
2016 $522 $9,477
2015 $566 $9,649
2014 $625 $11,013
2013 $637 $10,714
2012 $651 $10,601
2011 $607 $10,217
2010 $561 $8,899
2009 $452 $7,191
2008 $382 $8,372
2007 $376 $7,169
2006 $274.2 $6,158
2005 $254.2 $5,556
2004 $221.8 $4,939
2003 $198.9 $4,465
2002 $179 $4,184
2001 $138.7 $3,944
2000 $174.9 $4,084
1999 - $3,528
1998 - $3,294
1997 - $4,679
1996 - $4,837
1995 - $4,363
1994 - $3,758
1993 - $3,462
1992 - $3,141
1991 - $2,679
1990 - $2,469
1989 - $2,244
1988 - $2,100
1987 - $1,977
1986 - $1,760
1985 - $2,046
1984 - $2,300
1983 - $2,124
1982 - $1,938
1981 - $1,866
1980 - $1,886
1979 - $1,680
1978 - $1,327
1977 - $1,092
1976 - $940
1975 - $811
1974 - $848
1973 - $701
1972 - $472
1971 - $407
1970 - $380
1969 - $368
1968 - $342
1967 - $335
1966 - $339
1965 - $326
1964 - $303
1963 - $291.8
1962 - $238.8
1961 - $232.9
1960 - $240.8

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

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

Afghanistan vs. Malaysia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

Malaysia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan Malaysia
2026 66.8 77.2
2025 66.5 77
2024 66.3 76.8
2023 66 76.7
2022 65.6 75.4
2021 60.4 73.9
2020 61.5 76.1
2019 62.9 75.9
2018 62.4 75.7
2017 62.4 75.5
2016 62.6 75.4
2015 62.3 75.3
2014 62.3 75.3
2013 62.2 75.5
2012 61.7 75.6
2011 61.3 75.5
2010 60.7 75.4
2009 60.2 75.3
2008 59.7 75.2
2007 59 75
2006 58.6 74.7
2005 58.2 74.4
2004 57.8 74
2003 57.2 73.7
2002 56.2 73.5
2001 55.5 73.1
2000 55 72.7
1999 54.5 72.4
1998 52.5 72.4
1997 53.2 72.3
1996 52.8 72.1
1995 52.1 72
1994 51 71.9
1993 51 71.7
1992 46.6 71.5
1991 45.5 71.2
1990 45.1 71
1989 44.5 70.8
1988 43.2 70.6
1987 38.8 70.4
1986 38.4 70.1
1985 32.1 69.9
1984 31.5 69.6
1983 36.5 69.2
1982 36.1 68.9
1981 39.4 68.5
1980 39.3 68.1
1979 38.8 67.6
1978 40.1 67.2
1977 41.1 66.7
1976 40.5 66.2
1975 40 65.7
1974 39.5 65.2
1973 39 64.7
1972 38.4 64.2
1971 37.9 63.8
1970 37.5 63.3
1969 37 62.9
1968 36.5 62.4
1967 36 62
1966 35.6 61.7
1965 35.1 61.1
1964 34.7 60.4
1963 34.2 59.7
1962 33.8 58.9
1961 33.3 58
1960 32.8 57.2
1959 32.3 56.3
1958 31.8 55.4
1957 31.3 54.5
1956 30.8 53.7
1955 30.4 52.8
1954 29.7 52
1953 29.5 51.1
1952 29 50.1
1951 28.6 49.2
1950 28.2 48.5

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

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

Afghanistan and Malaysia population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

Malaysia
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan Malaysia
2024 42,647,492 35,557,673
2023 41,454,761 35,126,298
2022 40,578,842 34,695,493
2021 40,000,412 34,282,399
2020 39,068,979 33,889,558
2019 37,856,121 33,440,596
2018 36,743,039 32,910,967
2017 35,688,935 32,355,644
2016 34,700,612 31,789,685
2015 33,831,764 31,232,798
2014 32,792,523 30,696,137
2013 31,622,704 30,174,265
2012 30,560,034 29,662,831
2011 29,347,708 29,162,039
2010 28,284,089 28,655,776
2009 27,466,101 28,124,778
2008 26,482,622 27,570,059
2007 25,909,852 26,998,389
2006 25,424,094 26,417,909
2005 24,404,567 25,836,071
2004 23,560,654 25,256,772
2003 22,733,049 24,679,602
2002 21,378,117 24,102,477
2001 20,284,307 23,526,538
2000 20,130,327 22,967,816
1999 19,887,785 22,435,531
1998 19,159,996 21,906,713
1997 18,452,091 21,375,218
1996 17,763,266 20,850,087
1995 17,065,836 20,330,599
1994 16,250,794 19,820,446
1993 14,943,172 19,322,664
1992 13,278,974 18,834,572
1991 12,238,879 18,342,464
1990 12,045,660 17,833,171
1989 11,874,088 17,314,997
1988 11,523,298 16,796,605
1987 11,387,818 16,276,737
1986 11,420,074 15,760,419
1985 11,426,852 15,252,258
1984 11,190,221 14,759,009
1983 10,917,982 14,285,907
1982 10,991,378 13,832,798
1981 11,937,581 13,399,203
1980 13,169,311 12,983,363
1979 13,655,567 12,627,862
1978 13,611,441 12,328,157
1977 13,340,756 12,035,713
1976 13,059,851 11,750,097
1975 12,773,954 11,471,914
1974 12,469,127 11,200,906
1973 12,157,999 10,935,621
1972 11,853,696 10,676,835
1971 11,567,667 10,423,453
1970 11,290,128 10,178,802
1969 11,017,409 9,947,597
1968 10,756,922 9,725,281
1967 10,505,959 9,507,099
1966 10,266,395 9,284,688
1965 10,036,008 9,056,408
1964 9,814,318 8,828,406
1963 9,604,487 8,602,160
1962 9,404,406 8,380,172
1961 9,214,083 8,164,443
1960 9,035,043 7,956,197

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

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

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and Malaysia

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

Malaysia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Malaysia
2023 4.84 1.55
2022 4.93 1.55
2021 5.04 1.56
2020 5.15 1.68
2019 5.24 1.78
2018 5.33 1.84
2017 5.43 1.89
2016 5.54 1.94
2015 5.65 2.01
2014 5.77 2.06
2013 5.88 2.07
2012 5.99 2.12
2011 6.09 2.15
2010 6.2 2.14
2009 6.3 2.22
2008 6.39 2.26
2007 6.51 2.25
2006 6.69 2.31
2005 6.86 2.39
2004 7.02 2.49
2003 7.17 2.6
2002 7.32 2.66
2001 7.45 2.81
2000 7.57 2.94
1999 7.64 3.07
1998 7.69 3.12
1997 7.73 3.23
1996 7.76 3.3
1995 7.77 3.32
1994 7.77 3.35
1993 7.76 3.36
1992 7.7 3.37
1991 7.63 3.34
1990 7.58 3.3
1989 7.56 3.31
1988 7.55 3.5
1987 7.55 3.57
1986 7.55 3.7
1985 7.55 3.8
1984 7.55 3.89
1983 7.57 3.93
1982 7.6 3.97
1981 7.62 4
1980 7.64 4.04
1979 7.61 4.09
1978 7.6 4.18
1977 7.59 4.28
1976 7.56 4.4
1975 7.54 4.5
1974 7.53 4.62
1973 7.49 4.73
1972 7.45 4.82
1971 7.43 4.92
1970 7.4 5.04
1969 7.39 5.16
1968 7.36 5.29
1967 7.34 5.43
1966 7.32 5.64
1965 7.31 5.84
1964 7.3 6.03
1963 7.3 6.19
1962 7.29 6.3
1961 7.28 6.37
1960 7.28 6.41

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

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

Afghanistan and Malaysia demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

Malaysia
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan Malaysia
2024 18.2 31.5
2023 18 31.1
2022 17.8 30.6
2021 17.6 30.1
2020 17.5 29.6
2019 17.3 29.2
2018 17.1 28.8
2017 17 28.5
2016 16.8 28.1
2015 16.6 27.8
2014 16.4 27.5
2013 16.2 27.1
2012 16 26.8
2011 15.9 26.4
2010 15.7 26
2009 15.5 25.6
2008 15.3 25.1
2007 15.2 24.8
2006 15.1 24.5
2005 15 24.2
2004 14.9 24
2003 14.9 23.9
2002 14.9 23.7
2001 14.9 23.6
2000 15 23.5
1999 15.1 23.4
1998 15.2 23.1
1997 15.3 22.9
1996 15.5 22.7
1995 15.6 22.5
1994 15.7 22.3
1993 15.8 22.1
1992 15.9 21.9
1991 16 21.7
1990 16.1 21.5
1989 16.1 21.3
1988 16.2 21.1
1987 16.3 21
1986 16.3 20.9
1985 16.4 20.7
1984 16.5 20.5
1983 16.6 20.4
1982 16.7 20.1
1981 16.8 19.9
1980 16.9 19.7
1979 17 19.5
1978 17.2 19.3
1977 17.3 19
1976 17.4 18.8
1975 17.5 18.6
1974 17.6 18.3
1973 17.7 18.1
1972 17.8 17.9
1971 17.9 17.6
1970 18.1 17.4
1969 18.2 17.3
1968 18.3 17.1
1967 18.4 17
1966 18.5 16.9
1965 18.6 16.8
1964 18.6 16.9
1963 18.7 17
1962 18.8 17.1
1961 18.9 17.3
1960 18.9 17.5

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

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

Interactive Maps

Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Afghanistan and Malaysia.

1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x
1x

National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan Malaysia
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$414B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
23.9%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
3.51%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
0.99%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
136,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-3.95%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.93%
2022
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
37%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
68
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.3%
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00008%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
1,031
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$449B
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$116B
2024
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$1.61B
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
4,333,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
1.63%
2020
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
88.7%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan Malaysia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
2,867 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$12
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
296 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
8.32 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
96%
2022
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
7.5%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
2.88%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
-0.58%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
4,986 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
17%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
16.6%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan Malaysia
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.44%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
+166,615
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
76.9%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
52.4:47.6
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.55 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.15 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
68.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
52
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
76
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
0.72
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
22.5
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
174
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
95.8%
2022
English speaking
6%
2023
57.3%
2023
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
98%
2024

Health

Afghanistan Malaysia
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$450
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$167
2023
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
77.2 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
0.001%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
2.34
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
26
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
8.1
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
22.4%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
21.1%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
41
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
22%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
0.74 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan Malaysia
% of world land
0.44%
2026
0.22%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
3,568 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
33,093 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
73,219 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
173,898 mi
2022

In-depth comparisons

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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)

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.