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Afghanistan vs Saudi Arabia statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 35.3M in Saudi Arabia (ranked 45/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 830,000 sq mi for Saudi Arabia (ranked 40th vs. 12th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and Saudi Arabia ranks 18/197 ($1.24T). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while Saudi Arabia ranks 33/197 ($35,122).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
Population
45409324
36734925
Population rank 36/197 44/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank 137/197 18/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 33/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$71,375
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 58/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$23,076
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 830,000 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
44.1 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
2.28
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
30.5 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
79.4 years
2026

Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
2024 - $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $17,152,234,637 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $14,497,243,872 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $14,259,995,441 $982,661,066,667
2020 $19,955,929,052 $767,951,200,000
2019 $18,799,444,490 $888,890,133,333
2018 $18,053,222,687 $886,564,800,000
2017 $18,753,456,498 $741,266,133,333
2016 $18,116,572,395 $689,279,466,667
2015 $19,134,221,645 $693,414,400,000
2014 $20,497,128,556 $787,153,066,667
2013 $20,146,416,758 $769,755,733,333
2012 $19,907,329,778 $751,921,333,333
2011 $17,805,098,206 $680,660,800,000
2010 $15,856,668,556 $528,207,466,667
2009 $12,416,152,732 $429,097,866,667
2008 $10,109,297,048 $519,796,800,000
2007 $9,747,886,187 $415,964,509,673
2006 $6,971,758,282 $376,900,133,511
2005 $6,203,256,539 $328,459,608,764
2004 $5,224,896,719 $258,742,133,333
2003 $4,520,946,819 $215,807,733,333
2002 $3,825,701,439 $189,605,866,667
2001 $2,813,571,754 $184,137,600,000
2000 $3,521,418,060 $189,514,933,333
1999 - $161,717,066,667
1998 - $146,775,466,667
1997 - $165,963,684,913
1996 - $158,662,483,311
1995 - $143,343,124,166
1994 - $135,174,899,866
1993 - $132,967,957,276
1992 - $137,087,850,467
1991 - $132,223,230,975
1990 - $117,630,173,565
1989 - $95,344,459,279
1988 - $88,256,074,766
1987 - $85,695,861,148
1986 - $86,961,922,765
1985 - $103,897,846,494
1984 - $119,624,858,116
1983 - $129,171,635,311
1982 - $153,240,313,858
1981 - $184,291,360,139
1980 - $164,539,660,725
1979 - $111,858,444,786
1978 - $80,266,516,687
1977 - $74,188,986,586
1976 - $64,005,665,722
1975 - $46,773,208,643
1974 - $45,412,957,746
1973 - $14,947,435,499
1972 - $9,664,267,087
1971 - $7,184,806,909
1970 - $5,377,333,333
1969 - $4,485,777,644
1968 - $4,187,777,711
1967 - $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
2024 - $35,122
2023 $414 $36,157
2022 $357 $38,510
2021 $356 $31,921
2020 $511 $24,339
2019 $497 $29,567
2018 $491 $29,360
2017 $525 $23,929
2016 $522 $22,268
2015 $566 $23,256
2014 $625 $27,805
2013 $637 $27,865
2012 $651 $28,733
2011 $607 $27,127
2010 $561 $22,028
2009 $452 $17,718
2008 $382 $22,320
2007 $376 $18,596
2006 $274.2 $17,564
2005 $254.2 $15,976
2004 $221.8 $13,154
2003 $198.9 $11,487
2002 $179 $10,586
2001 $138.7 $10,805
2000 $174.9 $11,715
1999 - $10,452
1998 - $9,836
1997 - $11,545
1996 - $11,472
1995 - $10,786
1994 - $10,602
1993 - $10,885
1992 - $11,730
1991 - $11,847
1990 - $11,055
1989 - $9,414
1988 - $9,165
1987 - $9,386
1986 - $10,078
1985 - $12,745
1984 - $15,541
1983 - $17,810
1982 - $22,454
1981 - $28,703
1980 - $27,206
1979 - $19,612
1978 - $14,914
1977 - $14,595
1976 - $13,313
1975 - $10,266
1974 - $10,503
1973 - $3,640
1972 - $2,474
1971 - $1,929
1970 - $1,509
1969 - $1,313
1968 - $1,276
1967 - $1,032
1966 - $961
1965 - $904
1964 - $840
1963 - $812
1962 - $813
1961 - $760
1960 - $718

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Afghanistan vs. Saudi Arabia life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
2026 66.8 79.4
2025 66.5 79.2
2024 66.3 79
2023 66 78.7
2022 65.6 77.3
2021 60.4 77.1
2020 61.5 77.6
2019 62.9 78.3
2018 62.4 78.7
2017 62.4 78.7
2016 62.6 78.4
2015 62.3 77.8
2014 62.3 77.1
2013 62.2 76.5
2012 61.7 76.1
2011 61.3 75.8
2010 60.7 75.6
2009 60.2 75.4
2008 59.7 75.3
2007 59 75.1
2006 58.6 74.8
2005 58.2 74.4
2004 57.8 74
2003 57.2 73.7
2002 56.2 73.3
2001 55.5 73
2000 55 72.6
1999 54.5 72.3
1998 52.5 72
1997 53.2 71.6
1996 52.8 71.3
1995 52.1 70.9
1994 51 70.6
1993 51 70.2
1992 46.6 69.8
1991 45.5 69.3
1990 45.1 68.9
1989 44.5 68.4
1988 43.2 67.8
1987 38.8 67.2
1986 38.4 66.6
1985 32.1 66
1984 31.5 65.4
1983 36.5 64.7
1982 36.1 64
1981 39.4 63.3
1980 39.3 62.4
1979 38.8 61.5
1978 40.1 60.7
1977 41.1 59.7
1976 40.5 58.8
1975 40 57.8
1974 39.5 56.8
1973 39 55.8
1972 38.4 54.7
1971 37.9 53.7
1970 37.5 52.7
1969 37 51.8
1968 36.5 50.9
1967 36 50
1966 35.6 49.2
1965 35.1 48.4
1964 34.7 47.7
1963 34.2 47.1
1962 33.8 46.5
1961 33.3 45.9
1960 32.8 45.3
1959 32.3 44.8
1958 31.8 44.2
1957 31.3 43.7
1956 30.8 43.1
1955 30.4 42.6
1954 29.7 42.1
1953 29.5 41.6
1952 29 41.1
1951 28.6 40.6
1950 28.2 40

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
2024 42,647,492 35,300,280
2023 41,454,761 33,702,731
2022 40,578,842 32,175,224
2021 40,000,412 30,784,383
2020 39,068,979 31,552,510
2019 37,856,121 30,063,799
2018 36,743,039 30,196,281
2017 35,688,935 30,977,355
2016 34,700,612 30,954,198
2015 33,831,764 29,816,382
2014 32,792,523 28,309,273
2013 31,622,704 27,624,004
2012 30,560,034 26,168,861
2011 29,347,708 25,091,867
2010 28,284,089 23,978,487
2009 27,466,101 24,217,654
2008 26,482,622 23,287,877
2007 25,909,852 22,368,313
2006 25,424,094 21,459,144
2005 24,404,567 20,559,890
2004 23,560,654 19,669,480
2003 22,733,049 18,786,767
2002 21,378,117 17,910,910
2001 20,284,307 17,041,397
2000 20,130,327 16,177,722
1999 19,887,785 15,472,075
1998 19,159,996 14,922,185
1997 18,452,091 14,374,943
1996 17,763,266 13,831,009
1995 17,065,836 13,289,245
1994 16,250,794 12,750,040
1993 14,943,172 12,215,862
1992 13,278,974 11,686,676
1991 12,238,879 11,160,744
1990 12,045,660 10,640,691
1989 11,874,088 10,128,394
1988 11,523,298 9,629,165
1987 11,387,818 9,130,194
1986 11,420,074 8,628,639
1985 11,426,852 8,151,779
1984 11,190,221 7,697,307
1983 10,917,982 7,252,941
1982 10,991,378 6,824,486
1981 11,937,581 6,420,551
1980 13,169,311 6,047,997
1979 13,655,567 5,703,698
1978 13,611,441 5,381,902
1977 13,340,756 5,083,048
1976 13,059,851 4,807,933
1975 12,773,954 4,556,287
1974 12,469,127 4,323,632
1973 12,157,999 4,106,344
1972 11,853,696 3,905,722
1971 11,567,667 3,724,031
1970 11,290,128 3,562,470
1969 11,017,409 3,417,114
1968 10,756,922 3,282,711
1967 10,505,959 3,157,242
1966 10,266,395 3,039,887
1965 10,036,008 2,928,771
1964 9,814,318 2,821,968
1963 9,604,487 2,719,341
1962 9,404,406 2,620,910
1961 9,214,083 2,526,347
1960 9,035,043 2,435,403

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
2023 4.84 2.28
2022 4.93 2.14
2021 5.04 2.17
2020 5.15 2.27
2019 5.24 2.49
2018 5.33 2.67
2017 5.43 2.67
2016 5.54 2.65
2015 5.65 2.63
2014 5.77 2.68
2013 5.88 2.67
2012 5.99 2.78
2011 6.09 2.8
2010 6.2 2.81
2009 6.3 2.95
2008 6.39 3.07
2007 6.51 3.19
2006 6.69 3.18
2005 6.86 3.16
2004 7.02 3.26
2003 7.17 3.47
2002 7.32 3.71
2001 7.45 3.96
2000 7.57 4.21
1999 7.64 4.35
1998 7.69 4.52
1997 7.73 4.66
1996 7.76 4.81
1995 7.77 4.99
1994 7.77 5.16
1993 7.76 5.33
1992 7.7 5.49
1991 7.63 5.64
1990 7.58 5.8
1989 7.56 5.98
1988 7.55 6.15
1987 7.55 6.34
1986 7.55 6.52
1985 7.55 6.65
1984 7.55 6.78
1983 7.57 6.88
1982 7.6 6.98
1981 7.62 7.07
1980 7.64 7.15
1979 7.61 7.23
1978 7.6 7.26
1977 7.59 7.3
1976 7.56 7.33
1975 7.54 7.37
1974 7.53 7.43
1973 7.49 7.48
1972 7.45 7.54
1971 7.43 7.56
1970 7.4 7.58
1969 7.39 7.6
1968 7.36 7.63
1967 7.34 7.66
1966 7.32 7.66
1965 7.31 7.66
1964 7.3 7.67
1963 7.3 7.65
1962 7.29 7.64
1961 7.28 7.63
1960 7.28 7.63

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
2024 18.2 30.5
2023 18 30.2
2022 17.8 29.7
2021 17.6 29.5
2020 17.5 29.4
2019 17.3 29.3
2018 17.1 29.3
2017 17 29
2016 16.8 28.6
2015 16.6 27.9
2014 16.4 27.2
2013 16.2 26.6
2012 16 25.9
2011 15.9 25.2
2010 15.7 24.5
2009 15.5 23.9
2008 15.3 23.4
2007 15.2 22.8
2006 15.1 22.3
2005 15 21.9
2004 14.9 21.4
2003 14.9 21.1
2002 14.9 20.8
2001 14.9 20.7
2000 15 20.8
1999 15.1 20.7
1998 15.2 20.4
1997 15.3 20.2
1996 15.5 19.9
1995 15.6 19.7
1994 15.7 19.6
1993 15.8 19.4
1992 15.9 19.3
1991 16 19.2
1990 16.1 19
1989 16.1 19
1988 16.2 18.9
1987 16.3 18.8
1986 16.3 18.7
1985 16.4 18.7
1984 16.5 18.6
1983 16.6 18.5
1982 16.7 18.4
1981 16.8 18.3
1980 16.9 18.2
1979 17 18.1
1978 17.2 18
1977 17.3 17.9
1976 17.4 17.8
1975 17.5 17.7
1974 17.6 17.6
1973 17.7 17.5
1972 17.8 17.4
1971 17.9 17.4
1970 18.1 17.4
1969 18.2 17.4
1968 18.3 17.5
1967 18.4 17.6
1966 18.5 17.7
1965 18.6 17.9
1964 18.6 18
1963 18.7 18.2
1962 18.8 18.4
1961 18.9 18.5
1960 18.9 18.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$1.26T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
29.6%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
5.11%
2023
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
7.3%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
282,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-2.49%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.52%
2024
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
44.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
65.4
2026
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
1.44%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00006%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
352
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.73T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$464B
2024
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$338M
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
20,292,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
3.22%
2020
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
78.8%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
7,530 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$9.56
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
653 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
18.5 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
99.9%
2022
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
0.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
0.09%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
-178.2%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
11,835 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
0.07%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
0%
2021
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.43%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
+119,738
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
84.5%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
60.5:39.5
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.6 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.21 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
67.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
57
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
78
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
0.8
2019
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
35.9
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
99
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
97.9%
2024
English speaking
6%
2023
55%
2025
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
100%
2024

Health

Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$1,825
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$257.7
2023
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
79.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
3.41
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
7
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
6.2
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
42.5%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
23.1%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
32
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
14.9%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
0 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan Saudi Arabia
% of world land
0.44%
2026
1.44%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
23,513 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
670,418 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
3,772 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
137,554 mi
2006

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)

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.