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Afghanistan vs Palau statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 17.7K in Palau (ranked 194/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 177.6 sq mi for Palau (ranked 40th vs. 180th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and Palau ranks 194/197 ($277M). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while Palau ranks 67/197 ($15,611).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan Palau
Population
45409324
17629
Population rank 36/197 194/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$277M
2023
GDP rank 137/197 194/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$15,611
2023
GDP per capita rank 196/197 67/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$18,230
2023
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
$9,869
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 177.6 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
99.3 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
1.91
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
39.2 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
69.6 years
2026

Afghanistan and Palau: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and Palau economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

Palau
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan Palau
2023 $17,152,234,637 $276,733,063
2022 $14,497,243,872 $243,826,813
2021 $14,259,995,441 $231,343,460
2020 $19,955,929,052 $261,688,507
2019 $18,799,444,490 $282,041,290
2018 $18,053,222,687 $287,998,352
2017 $18,753,456,498 $292,148,590
2016 $18,116,572,395 $305,227,020
2015 $19,134,221,645 $287,057,526
2014 $20,497,128,556 $245,591,095
2013 $20,146,416,758 $224,110,611
2012 $19,907,329,778 $215,616,882
2011 $17,805,098,206 $198,742,371
2010 $15,856,668,556 $188,042,374
2009 $12,416,152,732 $189,854,706
2008 $10,109,297,048 $201,067,734
2007 $9,747,886,187 $200,789,764
2006 $6,971,758,282 $193,611,359
2005 $6,203,256,539 $190,961,685
2004 $5,224,896,719 $166,363,739
2003 $4,520,946,819 $154,566,788
2002 $3,825,701,439 $162,658,722
2001 $2,813,571,754 $159,446,228
2000 $3,521,418,060 $149,551,483
1999 - $144,206,500
1998 - $149,079,600
1997 - $143,860,800
1996 - $137,494,600
1995 - $121,018,500
1994 - $106,138,500
1993 - $96,455,700
1992 - $104,771,300
1991 - $106,555,300
1990 - $97,702,303
1989 - $85,800,543
1988 - $75,348,615
1987 - $66,169,905
1986 - $58,109,314
1985 - $51,030,637
1984 - $44,814,259
1983 - $39,661,530
1982 - $36,027,583
1981 - $32,726,594
1980 - $29,728,054
1979 - $27,004,251
1978 - $24,530,015
1977 - $22,308,104
1976 - $20,364,420
1975 - $18,521,112
1974 - $16,848,759
1973 - $15,331,889
1972 - $13,956,474
1971 - $12,706,874
1970 - $11,563,041

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan and Palau economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

Palau
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan Palau
2023 $414 $15,611
2022 $357 $13,730
2021 $356 $13,009
2020 $511 $14,708
2019 $497 $15,847
2018 $491 $16,167
2017 $525 $16,402
2016 $522 $17,150
2015 $566 $16,154
2014 $625 $13,863
2013 $637 $12,699
2012 $651 $12,137
2011 $607 $10,994
2010 $561 $10,222
2009 $452 $10,148
2008 $382 $10,578
2007 $376 $10,403
2006 $274.2 $9,882
2005 $254.2 $9,635
2004 $221.8 $8,394
2003 $198.9 $7,862
2002 $179 $8,340
2001 $138.7 $8,239
2000 $174.9 $7,798
1999 - $7,630
1998 - $8,048
1997 - $7,945
1996 - $7,788
1995 - $7,038
1994 - $6,329
1993 - $5,892
1992 - $6,553
1991 - $6,824
1990 - $6,403
1989 - $5,741
1988 - $5,145
1987 - $4,616
1986 - $4,144
1985 - $3,728
1984 - $3,360
1983 - $3,049
1982 - $2,838
1981 - $2,639
1980 - $2,423
1979 - $2,189
1978 - $1,972
1977 - $1,781
1976 - $1,616
1975 - $1,464
1974 - $1,328
1973 - $1,221
1972 - $1,145
1971 - $1,081
1970 - $1,017

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan vs. Palau life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

Palau
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan Palau
2026 66.8 69.6
2025 66.5 69.5
2024 66.3 69.4
2023 66 69.3
2022 65.6 68.9
2021 60.4 68.6
2020 61.5 68.7
2019 62.9 69
2018 62.4 69
2017 62.4 69
2016 62.6 69
2015 62.3 69.1
2014 62.3 69.1
2013 62.2 69
2012 61.7 68.9
2011 61.3 68.6
2010 60.7 68.3
2009 60.2 68
2008 59.7 67.6
2007 59 67.1
2006 58.6 66.6
2005 58.2 66.2
2004 57.8 65.8
2003 57.2 65.4
2002 56.2 65.1
2001 55.5 64.8
2000 55 64.5
1999 54.5 64.2
1998 52.5 64
1997 53.2 63.7
1996 52.8 63.5
1995 52.1 63.3
1994 51 63.1
1993 51 63
1992 46.6 62.9
1991 45.5 62.8
1990 45.1 62.8
1989 44.5 62.8
1988 43.2 62.8
1987 38.8 62.8
1986 38.4 62.8
1985 32.1 62.7
1984 31.5 62.6
1983 36.5 62.5
1982 36.1 62.3
1981 39.4 62.1
1980 39.3 61.9
1979 38.8 61.6
1978 40.1 61.3
1977 41.1 60.9
1976 40.5 60.5
1975 40 60
1974 39.5 59.5
1973 39 59
1972 38.4 58.6
1971 37.9 58.1
1970 37.5 57.7
1969 37 57.3
1968 36.5 56.9
1967 36 56.5
1966 35.6 56.2
1965 35.1 55.9
1964 34.7 55.8
1963 34.2 55.6
1962 33.8 55.4
1961 33.3 55.1
1960 32.8 54.9
1959 32.3 54.6
1958 31.8 54.4
1957 31.3 54.1
1956 30.8 53.9
1955 30.4 53.7
1954 29.7 53.5
1953 29.5 53.3
1952 29 53.1
1951 28.6 52.9
1950 28.2 52.7

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

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

Afghanistan and Palau population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

Palau
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan Palau
2024 42,647,492 17,695
2023 41,454,761 17,727
2022 40,578,842 17,759
2021 40,000,412 17,783
2020 39,068,979 17,792
2019 37,856,121 17,798
2018 36,743,039 17,814
2017 35,688,935 17,812
2016 34,700,612 17,797
2015 33,831,764 17,770
2014 32,792,523 17,715
2013 31,622,704 17,648
2012 30,560,034 17,765
2011 29,347,708 18,078
2010 28,284,089 18,396
2009 27,466,101 18,709
2008 26,482,622 19,009
2007 25,909,852 19,302
2006 25,424,094 19,593
2005 24,404,567 19,819
2004 23,560,654 19,820
2003 22,733,049 19,659
2002 21,378,117 19,503
2001 20,284,307 19,352
2000 20,130,327 19,178
1999 19,887,785 18,901
1998 19,159,996 18,524
1997 18,452,091 18,108
1996 17,763,266 17,654
1995 17,065,836 17,195
1994 16,250,794 16,770
1993 14,943,172 16,372
1992 13,278,974 15,989
1991 12,238,879 15,614
1990 12,045,660 15,259
1989 11,874,088 14,945
1988 11,523,298 14,645
1987 11,387,818 14,334
1986 11,420,074 14,024
1985 11,426,852 13,688
1984 11,190,221 13,337
1983 10,917,982 13,006
1982 10,991,378 12,694
1981 11,937,581 12,402
1980 13,169,311 12,271
1979 13,655,567 12,337
1978 13,611,441 12,440
1977 13,340,756 12,525
1976 13,059,851 12,598
1975 12,773,954 12,655
1974 12,469,127 12,687
1973 12,157,999 12,552
1972 11,853,696 12,194
1971 11,567,667 11,759
1970 11,290,128 11,368
1969 11,017,409 11,159
1968 10,756,922 11,080
1967 10,505,959 10,988
1966 10,266,395 10,805
1965 10,036,008 10,547
1964 9,814,318 10,292
1963 9,604,487 10,037
1962 9,404,406 9,793
1961 9,214,083 9,555
1960 9,035,043 9,328

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

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

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and Palau

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

Palau
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Palau
2023 4.84 1.91
2022 4.93 1.93
2021 5.04 1.95
2020 5.15 1.97
2019 5.24 1.98
2018 5.33 1.97
2017 5.43 2.02
2016 5.54 2.06
2015 5.65 2
2014 5.77 2.03
2013 5.88 2.05
2012 5.99 2.01
2011 6.09 1.97
2010 6.2 1.94
2009 6.3 1.94
2008 6.39 1.95
2007 6.51 1.97
2006 6.69 2
2005 6.86 2.02
2004 7.02 1.99
2003 7.17 1.96
2002 7.32 1.92
2001 7.45 1.87
2000 7.57 1.82
1999 7.64 1.91
1998 7.69 2.01
1997 7.73 2.19
1996 7.76 2.39
1995 7.77 2.55
1994 7.77 2.66
1993 7.76 2.73
1992 7.7 2.71
1991 7.63 2.74
1990 7.58 2.88
1989 7.56 2.92
1988 7.55 2.91
1987 7.55 2.93
1986 7.55 2.98
1985 7.55 3.01
1984 7.55 3.08
1983 7.57 3.14
1982 7.6 3.22
1981 7.62 3.28
1980 7.64 3.35
1979 7.61 3.49
1978 7.6 3.74
1977 7.59 4.09
1976 7.56 4.53
1975 7.54 4.9
1974 7.53 5.26
1973 7.49 5.59
1972 7.45 5.9
1971 7.43 6.16
1970 7.4 6.39
1969 7.39 6.58
1968 7.36 6.71
1967 7.34 6.84
1966 7.32 6.93
1965 7.31 7.01
1964 7.3 7.08
1963 7.3 7.12
1962 7.29 7.15
1961 7.28 7.17
1960 7.28 7.19

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

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

Afghanistan and Palau demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

Palau
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan Palau
2024 18.2 39.2
2023 18 38.8
2022 17.8 38.5
2021 17.6 38.1
2020 17.5 37.8
2019 17.3 37.4
2018 17.1 37
2017 17 36.7
2016 16.8 36.3
2015 16.6 36
2014 16.4 35.6
2013 16.2 35.3
2012 16 35
2011 15.9 34.6
2010 15.7 34.2
2009 15.5 33.9
2008 15.3 33.5
2007 15.2 33.1
2006 15.1 32.7
2005 15 32.3
2004 14.9 32
2003 14.9 31.8
2002 14.9 31.5
2001 14.9 31.2
2000 15 30.8
1999 15.1 30.2
1998 15.2 29.4
1997 15.3 28.8
1996 15.5 28.3
1995 15.6 27.8
1994 15.7 27.4
1993 15.8 26.9
1992 15.9 26.4
1991 16 26
1990 16.1 25.6
1989 16.1 24.9
1988 16.2 24
1987 16.3 23.1
1986 16.3 22.2
1985 16.4 21.6
1984 16.5 21.1
1983 16.6 20.5
1982 16.7 19.9
1981 16.8 19.3
1980 16.9 18.9
1979 17 18.6
1978 17.2 18.3
1977 17.3 18.1
1976 17.4 17.8
1975 17.5 17.4
1974 17.6 17.1
1973 17.7 16.8
1972 17.8 16.6
1971 17.9 16.6
1970 18.1 16.5
1969 18.2 16.1
1968 18.3 15.7
1967 18.4 15.2
1966 18.5 14.9
1965 18.6 14.9
1964 18.6 15
1963 18.7 15.1
1962 18.8 15.5
1961 18.9 16.1
1960 18.9 16.7

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

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

Interactive Maps

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

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan Palau
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$262M
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
52.3%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
3.53%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
n/a
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
n/a
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
+1.67%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
2.09%
2023
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
74.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
10.1%
2023
Economic freedom index
53
2021
62
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
n/a
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$1.95M
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
18,399
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
93.5%
2017
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
n/a

Energy

Afghanistan Palau
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
4,814 kg
1990
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$2
1990
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
1.47 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
82.8 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
0%
1990
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
0.9%
2022
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
4.6%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan Palau
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.0002%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
-16
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
79.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
53.9:46.1
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.6 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
52.2
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
49
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
n/a
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
11.2
2018
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
4.78
2013
Visa free countries
36
2025
120
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
100%
2020
English speaking
6%
2023
92.5%
2023
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
27%
2004

Health

Afghanistan Palau
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$1,684
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$203.8
2023
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
69.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
18.5%
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
89
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
22.3
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
42.1%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
19.3%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
65
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
17.3%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
n/a

Territory

Afghanistan Palau
% of world land
0.44%
2026
0.0003%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
10,037 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
16.6 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
160.8 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. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2021, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  10. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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