Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 26.5M in North Korea (ranked 56/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 46,491 sq mi for North Korea (ranked 40th vs. 97th).
By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and North Korea ranks 106/197 ($34.9B). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while North Korea ranks 168/197 ($1,319).
Main facts and rankings
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
45409324
|
26659144
|
| Population rank | 36/197 | 57/197 |
| GDP |
$17.2B
2023 |
$34.9B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 137/197 | 106/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$414
2023 |
$1,319
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 196/197 | 168/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$2,202
2023 |
$1,700
2015 |
| Government debt |
$1.44B
2023 |
n/a |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
8.8%
2024 |
n/a |
| Government debt per person |
$34.8
2023 |
n/a |
| Government debt per person rank | 185/185 | n/a |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,869
2026 |
$1,426
2026 |
| Land area | 251,827 sq mi | 46,491 sq mi |
| Population density |
179 ppl/mi²
2026 |
573 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
4.84
2023 |
1.78
2023 |
| Median age |
18.2 years
2024 |
37.3 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
66.8 years
2026 |
74 years
2026 |
Afghanistan and North Korea: Comparison Charts
Afghanistan and North Korea economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | - | $34,943,120,000 |
| 2023 | $17,152,234,637 | $32,155,360,000 |
| 2022 | $14,497,243,872 | $28,971,360,000 |
| 2021 | $14,259,995,441 | $32,301,720,000 |
| 2020 | $19,955,929,052 | $27,728,240,000 |
| 2019 | $18,799,444,490 | $28,222,880,000 |
| 2018 | $18,053,222,687 | $28,536,400,000 |
| 2017 | $18,753,456,498 | $29,105,440,000 |
| 2016 | $18,116,572,395 | $28,882,640,000 |
| 2015 | $19,134,221,645 | $30,723,030,000 |
| 2014 | $20,497,128,556 | $30,554,460,000 |
| 2013 | $20,146,416,758 | $30,588,922,000 |
| 2012 | $19,907,329,778 | $29,890,710,000 |
| 2011 | $17,805,098,206 | $29,005,020,000 |
| 2010 | $15,856,668,556 | $25,995,513,000 |
| 2009 | $12,416,152,732 | $23,356,470,000 |
| 2008 | $10,109,297,048 | - |
| 2007 | $9,747,886,187 | - |
| 2006 | $6,971,758,282 | - |
| 2005 | $6,203,256,539 | - |
| 2004 | $5,224,896,719 | - |
| 2003 | $4,520,946,819 | - |
| 2002 | $3,825,701,439 | - |
| 2001 | $2,813,571,754 | - |
| 2000 | $3,521,418,060 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (2000–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/north-korea | CC BY 
Afghanistan and North Korea economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | - | $1,319 |
| 2023 | $414 | $1,217 |
| 2022 | $357 | $1,100 |
| 2021 | $356 | $1,231 |
| 2020 | $511 | $1,061 |
| 2019 | $497 | $1,084 |
| 2018 | $491 | $1,100 |
| 2017 | $525 | $1,127 |
| 2016 | $522 | $1,124 |
| 2015 | $566 | $1,201 |
| 2014 | $625 | $1,201 |
| 2013 | $637 | $1,208 |
| 2012 | $651 | $1,186 |
| 2011 | $607 | $1,156 |
| 2010 | $561 | $1,040 |
| 2009 | $452 | $939 |
| 2008 | $382 | - |
| 2007 | $376 | - |
| 2006 | $274.2 | - |
| 2005 | $254.2 | - |
| 2004 | $221.8 | - |
| 2003 | $198.9 | - |
| 2002 | $179 | - |
| 2001 | $138.7 | - |
| 2000 | $174.9 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/north-korea | CC BY
Afghanistan vs. North Korea life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2026 | 66.8 | 74 |
| 2025 | 66.5 | 73.9 |
| 2024 | 66.3 | 73.7 |
| 2023 | 66 | 73.6 |
| 2022 | 65.6 | 73.6 |
| 2021 | 60.4 | 73.4 |
| 2020 | 61.5 | 72.8 |
| 2019 | 62.9 | 72.9 |
| 2018 | 62.4 | 73 |
| 2017 | 62.4 | 73 |
| 2016 | 62.6 | 73 |
| 2015 | 62.3 | 72.8 |
| 2014 | 62.3 | 72.5 |
| 2013 | 62.2 | 71.9 |
| 2012 | 61.7 | 71.3 |
| 2011 | 61.3 | 70.8 |
| 2010 | 60.7 | 70.2 |
| 2009 | 60.2 | 69.7 |
| 2008 | 59.7 | 69.3 |
| 2007 | 59 | 69 |
| 2006 | 58.6 | 69.1 |
| 2005 | 58.2 | 69.2 |
| 2004 | 57.8 | 69.3 |
| 2003 | 57.2 | 69.4 |
| 2002 | 56.2 | 60.9 |
| 2001 | 55.5 | 60.9 |
| 2000 | 55 | 60.9 |
| 1999 | 54.5 | 60.9 |
| 1998 | 52.5 | 60.9 |
| 1997 | 53.2 | 60.9 |
| 1996 | 52.8 | 60.8 |
| 1995 | 52.1 | 60.8 |
| 1994 | 51 | 70.5 |
| 1993 | 51 | 70.8 |
| 1992 | 46.6 | 71 |
| 1991 | 45.5 | 70.7 |
| 1990 | 45.1 | 70.5 |
| 1989 | 44.5 | 70.3 |
| 1988 | 43.2 | 70.1 |
| 1987 | 38.8 | 69.8 |
| 1986 | 38.4 | 69.5 |
| 1985 | 32.1 | 69.2 |
| 1984 | 31.5 | 68.9 |
| 1983 | 36.5 | 68.5 |
| 1982 | 36.1 | 68.1 |
| 1981 | 39.4 | 67.7 |
| 1980 | 39.3 | 67.2 |
| 1979 | 38.8 | 66.7 |
| 1978 | 40.1 | 66.3 |
| 1977 | 41.1 | 65.8 |
| 1976 | 40.5 | 65.3 |
| 1975 | 40 | 64.8 |
| 1974 | 39.5 | 64.3 |
| 1973 | 39 | 63.8 |
| 1972 | 38.4 | 63.3 |
| 1971 | 37.9 | 62.7 |
| 1970 | 37.5 | 62 |
| 1969 | 37 | 61.4 |
| 1968 | 36.5 | 60.8 |
| 1967 | 36 | 60.1 |
| 1966 | 35.6 | 59.4 |
| 1965 | 35.1 | 58.8 |
| 1964 | 34.7 | 58.2 |
| 1963 | 34.2 | 57.6 |
| 1962 | 33.8 | 57 |
| 1961 | 33.3 | 56.4 |
| 1960 | 32.8 | 55.8 |
| 1959 | 32.3 | 55.2 |
| 1958 | 31.8 | 54.5 |
| 1957 | 31.3 | 53.7 |
| 1956 | 30.8 | 52.8 |
| 1955 | 30.4 | 51.8 |
| 1954 | 29.7 | 50.6 |
| 1953 | 29.5 | 40.3 |
| 1952 | 29 | 32.8 |
| 1951 | 28.6 | 17.7 |
| 1950 | 28.2 | 14.2 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/north-korea | CC BY
Afghanistan and North Korea population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 42,647,492 | 26,498,823 |
| 2023 | 41,454,761 | 26,418,204 |
| 2022 | 40,578,842 | 26,328,845 |
| 2021 | 40,000,412 | 26,232,534 |
| 2020 | 39,068,979 | 26,136,312 |
| 2019 | 37,856,121 | 26,037,632 |
| 2018 | 36,743,039 | 25,931,147 |
| 2017 | 35,688,935 | 25,817,709 |
| 2016 | 34,700,612 | 25,698,326 |
| 2015 | 33,831,764 | 25,575,350 |
| 2014 | 32,792,523 | 25,451,262 |
| 2013 | 31,622,704 | 25,329,451 |
| 2012 | 30,560,034 | 25,211,728 |
| 2011 | 29,347,708 | 25,097,874 |
| 2010 | 28,284,089 | 24,987,258 |
| 2009 | 27,466,101 | 24,878,332 |
| 2008 | 26,482,622 | 24,764,618 |
| 2007 | 25,909,852 | 24,646,383 |
| 2006 | 25,424,094 | 24,524,507 |
| 2005 | 24,404,567 | 24,396,433 |
| 2004 | 23,560,654 | 24,254,943 |
| 2003 | 22,733,049 | 24,090,380 |
| 2002 | 21,378,117 | 23,943,973 |
| 2001 | 20,284,307 | 23,815,358 |
| 2000 | 20,130,327 | 23,665,910 |
| 1999 | 19,887,785 | 23,497,599 |
| 1998 | 19,159,996 | 23,311,564 |
| 1997 | 18,452,091 | 23,110,830 |
| 1996 | 17,763,266 | 22,895,746 |
| 1995 | 17,065,836 | 22,669,304 |
| 1994 | 16,250,794 | 22,393,975 |
| 1993 | 14,943,172 | 22,073,352 |
| 1992 | 13,278,974 | 21,750,911 |
| 1991 | 12,238,879 | 21,428,638 |
| 1990 | 12,045,660 | 21,112,137 |
| 1989 | 11,874,088 | 20,804,367 |
| 1988 | 11,523,298 | 20,503,161 |
| 1987 | 11,387,818 | 20,205,483 |
| 1986 | 11,420,074 | 19,910,855 |
| 1985 | 11,426,852 | 19,620,388 |
| 1984 | 11,190,221 | 19,335,043 |
| 1983 | 10,917,982 | 19,054,034 |
| 1982 | 10,991,378 | 18,776,357 |
| 1981 | 11,937,581 | 18,501,295 |
| 1980 | 13,169,311 | 18,236,786 |
| 1979 | 13,655,567 | 17,983,470 |
| 1978 | 13,611,441 | 17,735,995 |
| 1977 | 13,340,756 | 17,492,798 |
| 1976 | 13,059,851 | 17,243,450 |
| 1975 | 12,773,954 | 16,971,055 |
| 1974 | 12,469,127 | 16,673,121 |
| 1973 | 12,157,999 | 16,350,367 |
| 1972 | 11,853,696 | 15,975,069 |
| 1971 | 11,567,667 | 15,572,457 |
| 1970 | 11,290,128 | 15,172,775 |
| 1969 | 11,017,409 | 14,767,615 |
| 1968 | 10,756,922 | 14,365,596 |
| 1967 | 10,505,959 | 13,958,350 |
| 1966 | 10,266,395 | 13,569,094 |
| 1965 | 10,036,008 | 13,219,369 |
| 1964 | 9,814,318 | 12,889,770 |
| 1963 | 9,604,487 | 12,567,057 |
| 1962 | 9,404,406 | 12,262,882 |
| 1961 | 9,214,083 | 11,990,713 |
| 1960 | 9,035,043 | 11,722,953 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/north-korea | CC BY
Fertility rates in Afghanistan and North Korea
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2023 | 4.84 | 1.78 |
| 2022 | 4.93 | 1.8 |
| 2021 | 5.04 | 1.81 |
| 2020 | 5.15 | 1.82 |
| 2019 | 5.24 | 1.83 |
| 2018 | 5.33 | 1.83 |
| 2017 | 5.43 | 1.85 |
| 2016 | 5.54 | 1.86 |
| 2015 | 5.65 | 1.86 |
| 2014 | 5.77 | 1.87 |
| 2013 | 5.88 | 1.88 |
| 2012 | 5.99 | 1.88 |
| 2011 | 6.09 | 1.88 |
| 2010 | 6.2 | 1.89 |
| 2009 | 6.3 | 1.91 |
| 2008 | 6.39 | 1.97 |
| 2007 | 6.51 | 1.94 |
| 2006 | 6.69 | 1.94 |
| 2005 | 6.86 | 1.87 |
| 2004 | 7.02 | 1.9 |
| 2003 | 7.17 | 1.91 |
| 2002 | 7.32 | 1.92 |
| 2001 | 7.45 | 1.94 |
| 2000 | 7.57 | 1.94 |
| 1999 | 7.64 | 1.97 |
| 1998 | 7.69 | 1.99 |
| 1997 | 7.73 | 2.03 |
| 1996 | 7.76 | 2.09 |
| 1995 | 7.77 | 2.15 |
| 1994 | 7.77 | 2.18 |
| 1993 | 7.76 | 2.22 |
| 1992 | 7.7 | 2.29 |
| 1991 | 7.63 | 2.35 |
| 1990 | 7.58 | 2.39 |
| 1989 | 7.56 | 2.41 |
| 1988 | 7.55 | 2.47 |
| 1987 | 7.55 | 2.53 |
| 1986 | 7.55 | 2.59 |
| 1985 | 7.55 | 2.65 |
| 1984 | 7.55 | 2.71 |
| 1983 | 7.57 | 2.78 |
| 1982 | 7.6 | 2.85 |
| 1981 | 7.62 | 2.92 |
| 1980 | 7.64 | 2.84 |
| 1979 | 7.61 | 2.85 |
| 1978 | 7.6 | 2.79 |
| 1977 | 7.59 | 2.77 |
| 1976 | 7.56 | 2.84 |
| 1975 | 7.54 | 3.05 |
| 1974 | 7.53 | 3.14 |
| 1973 | 7.49 | 3.35 |
| 1972 | 7.45 | 3.89 |
| 1971 | 7.43 | 3.74 |
| 1970 | 7.4 | 3.85 |
| 1969 | 7.39 | 3.86 |
| 1968 | 7.36 | 3.87 |
| 1967 | 7.34 | 4.05 |
| 1966 | 7.32 | 3.71 |
| 1965 | 7.31 | 3.56 |
| 1964 | 7.3 | 3.55 |
| 1963 | 7.3 | 3.63 |
| 1962 | 7.29 | 3.41 |
| 1961 | 7.28 | 3.26 |
| 1960 | 7.28 | 3.57 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/north-korea | CC BY
Afghanistan and North Korea demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
| 2024 | 18.2 | 37.3 |
| 2023 | 18 | 37.1 |
| 2022 | 17.8 | 36.8 |
| 2021 | 17.6 | 36.6 |
| 2020 | 17.5 | 36.4 |
| 2019 | 17.3 | 36.2 |
| 2018 | 17.1 | 35.9 |
| 2017 | 17 | 35.7 |
| 2016 | 16.8 | 35.4 |
| 2015 | 16.6 | 35.2 |
| 2014 | 16.4 | 35 |
| 2013 | 16.2 | 34.7 |
| 2012 | 16 | 34.5 |
| 2011 | 15.9 | 34.3 |
| 2010 | 15.7 | 34 |
| 2009 | 15.5 | 33.7 |
| 2008 | 15.3 | 33.3 |
| 2007 | 15.2 | 32.9 |
| 2006 | 15.1 | 32.5 |
| 2005 | 15 | 32.1 |
| 2004 | 14.9 | 31.8 |
| 2003 | 14.9 | 31.4 |
| 2002 | 14.9 | 31 |
| 2001 | 14.9 | 30.5 |
| 2000 | 15 | 30.1 |
| 1999 | 15.1 | 29.6 |
| 1998 | 15.2 | 29.2 |
| 1997 | 15.3 | 28.8 |
| 1996 | 15.5 | 28.3 |
| 1995 | 15.6 | 28 |
| 1994 | 15.7 | 27.6 |
| 1993 | 15.8 | 27.2 |
| 1992 | 15.9 | 26.8 |
| 1991 | 16 | 26.4 |
| 1990 | 16.1 | 26 |
| 1989 | 16.1 | 25.6 |
| 1988 | 16.2 | 25.1 |
| 1987 | 16.3 | 24.8 |
| 1986 | 16.3 | 24.5 |
| 1985 | 16.4 | 24.2 |
| 1984 | 16.5 | 23.9 |
| 1983 | 16.6 | 23.5 |
| 1982 | 16.7 | 23.1 |
| 1981 | 16.8 | 22.8 |
| 1980 | 16.9 | 22.5 |
| 1979 | 17 | 22.2 |
| 1978 | 17.2 | 21.8 |
| 1977 | 17.3 | 21.4 |
| 1976 | 17.4 | 21.1 |
| 1975 | 17.5 | 20.9 |
| 1974 | 17.6 | 20.7 |
| 1973 | 17.7 | 20.7 |
| 1972 | 17.8 | 20.9 |
| 1971 | 17.9 | 21.2 |
| 1970 | 18.1 | 21.4 |
| 1969 | 18.2 | 21.4 |
| 1968 | 18.3 | 21.4 |
| 1967 | 18.4 | 21.4 |
| 1966 | 18.5 | 21.3 |
| 1965 | 18.6 | 21.2 |
| 1964 | 18.6 | 21 |
| 1963 | 18.7 | 20.8 |
| 1962 | 18.8 | 20.6 |
| 1961 | 18.9 | 20.2 |
| 1960 | 18.9 | 19.9 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/north-korea | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Afghanistan and North Korea.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$15.5B
2023 |
n/a |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
19.4%
2024 |
n/a |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
4.34%
2017 |
n/a |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
1.83%
2021 |
n/a |
| Armed forces personnel |
165,000
2020 |
1,469,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-0.54%
2024 |
n/a |
| Unemployment rate |
5.68%
2021 |
25.6%
2013 |
| Services, % of GDP |
46.4%
2023 |
n/a |
| Industry, % of GDP |
13.4%
2023 |
n/a |
| Economic freedom index |
53
2021 |
3.1
2026 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$9.75B
2020 |
n/a |
| Personal remittances received |
$320M
2024 |
n/a |
| International tourism as share of exports |
5.08%
2020 |
n/a |
| Banked people share |
9.65%
2021 |
n/a |
Energy
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita | n/a |
641 kg
2022 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
12.1 megatons
2024 |
66.2 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.28 tons
2024 |
2.5 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share | n/a |
85.1%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
20%
2022 |
14.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share | n/a |
8.5%
2022 |
| Net energy imports use share | n/a |
4.9%
2022 |
| Electric power consumption per capita | n/a |
830 kWh
2022 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
78.2%
2021 |
63.2%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
71.7%
2021 |
62.7%
2022 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
0%
2021 |
| Electricity access |
85.3%
2023 |
57.5%
2023 |
Society
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.52%
2024 |
0.33%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-74,404
2025 |
-2,787
2025 |
| Urban population |
25.7%
2024 |
63.9%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
50.5:49.5
2024 |
49.5:50.5
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.53 ft
2025 |
5.73 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.12 ft
2025 |
5.29 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
15.5
2026 |
10.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
16
2025 |
15
2025 |
| Higher education index |
20
2026 |
10
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
4.02
2021 |
4.4
2015 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
15.9
2019 |
24.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
36
2025 |
48
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
37.3%
2021 |
100%
2018 |
| English speaking |
6%
2023 |
0%
2025 |
| People using the Internet |
17.7%
2023 |
0%
2012 |
Health
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$59.1
2023 |
n/a |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$45.6
2023 |
n/a |
| Life expectancy |
66.8 years
2026 |
74 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
21.2%
2023 |
n/a |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.32
2023 |
3.63
2017 |
| Age at first childbirth |
19.9 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
521
2023 |
67
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
55.5
2023 |
18
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
19.6%
2022 |
11.1%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
11.7%
2024 |
9.9%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
3
2026 |
42
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
22.7%
2022 |
16.5%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
0.01 liters
2020 |
3.87 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Afghanistan
|
North Korea
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.44%
2026 |
0.08%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
5,905 sq mi
2024 |
1,754 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
147,167 sq mi
2026 |
10,021 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
4,666 sq mi
2026 |
23,036 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
21,688 mi
2021 |
15,879 mi
2006 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2021–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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