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Afghanistan vs South Korea statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 51.8M in South Korea (ranked 29/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 37,684 sq mi for South Korea (ranked 40th vs. 105th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and South Korea ranks 12/197 ($1.88T). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while South Korea ranks 31/197 ($36,239).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan South Korea
Population
45409324
51649918
Population rank 36/197 31/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank 137/197 12/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 31/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$61,051
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 33/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$27,215
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 37,684 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
1,371 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
0.72
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
46.1 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
84.6 years
2026

Afghanistan and South Korea: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and South Korea economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

South Korea
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan South Korea
2024 - $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $17,152,234,637 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $14,497,243,872 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $14,259,995,441 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $19,955,929,052 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $18,799,444,490 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $18,053,222,687 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $18,753,456,498 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $18,116,572,395 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $19,134,221,645 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $20,497,128,556 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $20,146,416,758 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $19,907,329,778 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $17,805,098,206 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $15,856,668,556 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $12,416,152,732 $983,065,242,417
2008 $10,109,297,048 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $9,747,886,187 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $6,971,758,282 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $6,203,256,539 $971,740,329,984
2004 $5,224,896,719 $823,251,107,639
2003 $4,520,946,819 $728,516,494,684
2002 $3,825,701,439 $650,014,391,470
2001 $2,813,571,754 $567,564,806,235
2000 $3,521,418,060 $597,487,173,479
1999 - $515,697,079,289
1998 - $397,297,216,492
1997 - $589,202,526,424
1996 - $631,196,863,758
1995 - $586,286,469,401
1994 - $479,181,794,217
1993 - $405,705,302,846
1992 - $366,921,291,825
1991 - $340,851,946,804
1990 - $292,064,221,389
1989 - $254,236,243,100
1988 - $205,477,530,605
1987 - $152,240,393,646
1986 - $119,965,960,795
1985 - $103,764,281,281
1984 - $99,749,645,089
1983 - $89,621,208,322
1982 - $79,921,300,447
1981 - $74,287,368,087
1980 - $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

Afghanistan and South Korea economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

South Korea
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan South Korea
2024 - $36,239
2023 $414 $35,674
2022 $357 $34,822
2021 $356 $37,518
2020 $511 $33,646
2019 $497 $33,827
2018 $491 $35,364
2017 $525 $33,297
2016 $522 $30,832
2015 $566 $30,172
2014 $625 $30,667
2013 $637 $28,449
2012 $651 $26,601
2011 $607 $26,175
2010 $561 $24,071
2009 $452 $19,937
2008 $382 $22,252
2007 $376 $25,078
2006 $274.2 $22,610
2005 $254.2 $20,167
2004 $221.8 $17,122
2003 $198.9 $15,212
2002 $179 $13,643
2001 $138.7 $11,981
2000 $174.9 $12,710
1999 - $11,063
1998 - $8,583
1997 - $12,822
1996 - $13,865
1995 - $13,002
1994 - $10,734
1993 - $9,180
1992 - $8,387
1991 - $7,873
1990 - $6,813
1989 - $5,989
1988 - $4,889
1987 - $3,658
1986 - $2,911
1985 - $2,543
1984 - $2,469
1983 - $2,246
1982 - $2,032
1981 - $1,918
1980 - $1,746
1979 - $1,814
1978 - $1,429
1977 - $1,073
1976 - $847
1975 - $627
1974 - $572
1973 - $412
1972 - $328
1971 - $304
1970 - $281.8
1969 - $245.5
1968 - $200
1967 - $162.5
1966 - $134.4
1965 - $109.4
1964 - $124.2
1963 - $147
1962 - $106.6
1961 - $94.2
1960 - $158.8

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

Afghanistan vs. South Korea life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

South Korea
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan South Korea
2026 66.8 84.6
2025 66.5 84.5
2024 66.3 84.4
2023 66 84.3
2022 65.6 82.7
2021 60.4 83.9
2020 61.5 83.7
2019 62.9 83.7
2018 62.4 83.3
2017 62.4 83.3
2016 62.6 82.9
2015 62.3 82.5
2014 62.3 82.4
2013 62.2 81.8
2012 61.7 81.3
2011 61.3 81.2
2010 60.7 80.7
2009 60.2 80.6
2008 59.7 80
2007 59 79.4
2006 58.6 79
2005 58.2 78.4
2004 57.8 78
2003 57.2 77.5
2002 56.2 77.2
2001 55.5 76.9
2000 55 76.2
1999 54.5 75.6
1998 52.5 75
1997 53.2 74.5
1996 52.8 74
1995 52.1 73.4
1994 51 72.9
1993 51 72.7
1992 46.6 72.2
1991 45.5 71.4
1990 45.1 71
1989 44.5 70.7
1988 43.2 70.2
1987 38.8 69.3
1986 38.4 69
1985 32.1 68.4
1984 31.5 68.1
1983 36.5 66.7
1982 36.1 67.1
1981 39.4 67.1
1980 39.3 64.8
1979 38.8 66.1
1978 40.1 65
1977 41.1 64.6
1976 40.5 65
1975 40 64.7
1974 39.5 64.2
1973 39 63.8
1972 38.4 63.2
1971 37.9 62.7
1970 37.5 62.2
1969 37 61.4
1968 36.5 60.9
1967 36 60.9
1966 35.6 55.4
1965 35.1 55.8
1964 34.7 55.3
1963 34.2 55
1962 33.8 55
1961 33.3 54.4
1960 32.8 53.8
1959 32.3 52.9
1958 31.8 51.8
1957 31.3 51.6
1956 30.8 50.2
1955 30.4 48.4
1954 29.7 46.1
1953 29.5 40.5
1952 29 36.6
1951 28.6 26.6
1950 28.2 22.2

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

Afghanistan and South Korea population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

South Korea
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan South Korea
2024 42,647,492 51,751,065
2023 41,454,761 51,712,619
2022 40,578,842 51,672,569
2021 40,000,412 51,769,539
2020 39,068,979 51,836,239
2019 37,856,121 51,764,822
2018 36,743,039 51,585,058
2017 35,688,935 51,361,911
2016 34,700,612 51,217,803
2015 33,831,764 51,014,947
2014 32,792,523 50,746,659
2013 31,622,704 50,428,893
2012 30,560,034 50,199,853
2011 29,347,708 49,936,638
2010 28,284,089 49,554,112
2009 27,466,101 49,307,835
2008 26,482,622 49,054,708
2007 25,909,852 48,683,638
2006 25,424,094 48,438,292
2005 24,404,567 48,184,561
2004 23,560,654 48,082,519
2003 22,733,049 47,892,330
2002 21,378,117 47,644,736
2001 20,284,307 47,370,164
2000 20,130,327 47,008,111
1999 19,887,785 46,616,677
1998 19,159,996 46,286,503
1997 18,452,091 45,953,580
1996 17,763,266 45,524,681
1995 17,065,836 45,092,991
1994 16,250,794 44,641,540
1993 14,943,172 44,194,628
1992 13,278,974 43,747,962
1991 12,238,879 43,295,704
1990 12,045,660 42,869,283
1989 11,874,088 42,449,038
1988 11,523,298 42,031,247
1987 11,387,818 41,621,690
1986 11,420,074 41,213,674
1985 11,426,852 40,805,744
1984 11,190,221 40,405,956
1983 10,917,982 39,910,403
1982 10,991,378 39,326,352
1981 11,937,581 38,723,248
1980 13,169,311 38,123,775
1979 13,655,567 37,534,236
1978 13,611,441 36,969,185
1977 13,340,756 36,411,795
1976 13,059,851 35,848,523
1975 12,773,954 35,280,725
1974 12,469,127 34,692,266
1973 12,157,999 34,103,149
1972 11,853,696 33,505,406
1971 11,567,667 32,882,704
1970 11,290,128 32,240,827
1969 11,017,409 31,544,266
1968 10,756,922 30,838,302
1967 10,505,959 30,130,983
1966 10,266,395 29,435,571
1965 10,036,008 28,704,674
1964 9,814,318 27,984,155
1963 9,604,487 27,261,747
1962 9,404,406 26,513,030
1961 9,214,083 25,765,673
1960 9,035,043 25,012,374

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and South Korea

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

South Korea
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan South Korea
2023 4.84 0.72
2022 4.93 0.78
2021 5.04 0.81
2020 5.15 0.84
2019 5.24 0.92
2018 5.33 0.98
2017 5.43 1.05
2016 5.54 1.17
2015 5.65 1.24
2014 5.77 1.21
2013 5.88 1.19
2012 5.99 1.3
2011 6.09 1.24
2010 6.2 1.23
2009 6.3 1.15
2008 6.39 1.19
2007 6.51 1.26
2006 6.69 1.13
2005 6.86 1.09
2004 7.02 1.16
2003 7.17 1.19
2002 7.32 1.18
2001 7.45 1.31
2000 7.57 1.48
1999 7.64 1.43
1998 7.69 1.46
1997 7.73 1.54
1996 7.76 1.57
1995 7.77 1.63
1994 7.77 1.66
1993 7.76 1.65
1992 7.7 1.76
1991 7.63 1.71
1990 7.58 1.57
1989 7.56 1.56
1988 7.55 1.55
1987 7.55 1.53
1986 7.55 1.58
1985 7.55 1.66
1984 7.55 1.74
1983 7.57 2.06
1982 7.6 2.39
1981 7.62 2.57
1980 7.64 2.82
1979 7.61 2.9
1978 7.6 2.64
1977 7.59 2.99
1976 7.56 3
1975 7.54 3.43
1974 7.53 3.77
1973 7.49 4.07
1972 7.45 4.12
1971 7.43 4.54
1970 7.4 4.53
1969 7.39 4.45
1968 7.36 4.51
1967 7.34 4.62
1966 7.32 4.78
1965 7.31 4.89
1964 7.3 5.07
1963 7.3 5.33
1962 7.29 5.56
1961 7.28 5.8
1960 7.28 5.99

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

Afghanistan and South Korea demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

South Korea
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan South Korea
2024 18.2 46.1
2023 18 45.5
2022 17.8 44.9
2021 17.6 44.4
2020 17.5 43.8
2019 17.3 43.1
2018 17.1 42.5
2017 17 41.9
2016 16.8 41.4
2015 16.6 40.8
2014 16.4 40.2
2013 16.2 39.5
2012 16 38.8
2011 15.9 38.2
2010 15.7 37.6
2009 15.5 37
2008 15.3 36.4
2007 15.2 35.8
2006 15.1 35.2
2005 15 34.5
2004 14.9 33.9
2003 14.9 33.4
2002 14.9 32.8
2001 14.9 32.3
2000 15 31.7
1999 15.1 31.2
1998 15.2 30.7
1997 15.3 30.2
1996 15.5 29.8
1995 15.6 29.4
1994 15.7 28.9
1993 15.8 28.3
1992 15.9 27.8
1991 16 27.2
1990 16.1 26.7
1989 16.1 26.3
1988 16.2 25.8
1987 16.3 25.3
1986 16.3 24.8
1985 16.4 24.2
1984 16.5 23.7
1983 16.6 23.3
1982 16.7 22.8
1981 16.8 22.5
1980 16.9 22.1
1979 17 21.6
1978 17.2 21.1
1977 17.3 20.7
1976 17.4 20.2
1975 17.5 19.9
1974 17.6 19.6
1973 17.7 19.3
1972 17.8 19.1
1971 17.9 19
1970 18.1 18.9
1969 18.2 18.8
1968 18.3 18.7
1967 18.4 18.6
1966 18.5 18.5
1965 18.6 18.6
1964 18.6 18.8
1963 18.7 19
1962 18.8 19.1
1961 18.9 19.2
1960 18.9 19.3

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan South Korea
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$1.9T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
5.81%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
2.56%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
569,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
2.78%
2024
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
33.9%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
73.7
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2021
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
2.96%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.00007%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
2,599
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$418B
2024
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$7.45B
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
2,519,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
1.94%
2020
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
96.9%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan South Korea
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
5,337 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$10.8
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
588 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
11.4 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
79.1%
2023
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
3.6%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
18.5%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
84.6%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
11,426 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
6.59%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
1.23%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
29.6%
2023
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan South Korea
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.64%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
+65,731
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
81.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.76 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.35 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
87.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
63
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
86
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
0.48
2023
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
8.6
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
172
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
98.8%
2018
English speaking
6%
2023
20%
2025
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
97.9%
2024

Health

Afghanistan South Korea
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$3,137
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$1,058
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
84.6 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
0%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
2.61
2022
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
32.2 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
4
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
2.8
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
7.24%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
9.6%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
46
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
20%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
7.79 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan South Korea
% of world land
0.44%
2026
0.07%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
728 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
6,054 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
24,158 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
68,794 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)

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.