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Afghanistan vs Syria statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 24.7M in Syria (ranked 57/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 70,900 sq mi for Syria (ranked 40th vs. 87th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and Syria ranks 129/197 ($20B). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while Syria ranks 185/197 ($847).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan Syria
Population
45409324
26829400
Population rank 36/197 56/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$20B
2023
GDP rank 137/197 129/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank 196/197 185/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$4,650
2023
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank 185/185 148/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$730
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 70,900 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
375 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
2.71
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
23.9 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
73.4 years
2026

Afghanistan and Syria: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and Syria economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

Syria
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan Syria
2023 $17,152,234,637 $19,993,439,950
2022 $14,497,243,872 $23,622,827,080
2021 $14,259,995,441 $14,353,205,678
2020 $19,955,929,052 $12,047,752,036
2019 $18,799,444,490 $22,583,045,060
2018 $18,053,222,687 $21,497,782,868
2017 $18,753,456,498 $16,369,843,352
2016 $18,116,572,395 $12,597,854,877
2015 $19,134,221,645 $16,466,863,117
2014 $20,497,128,556 $21,502,061,466
2013 $20,146,416,758 $21,361,254,635
2012 $19,907,329,778 $43,190,318,033
2011 $17,805,098,206 $67,539,428,159
2010 $15,856,668,556 $61,390,830,875
2009 $12,416,152,732 $54,111,735,629
2008 $10,109,297,048 $52,557,913,569
2007 $9,747,886,187 $40,465,318,382
2006 $6,971,758,282 $33,751,788,856
2005 $6,203,256,539 $28,858,965,517
2004 $5,224,896,719 $25,086,950,495
2003 $4,520,946,819 $21,828,144,686
2002 $3,825,701,439 $20,669,357,462
2001 $2,813,571,754 $20,237,024,725
2000 $3,521,418,060 $18,937,052,543
1999 - $15,873,875,969
1998 - $15,200,846,154
1997 - $14,505,233,463
1996 - $13,789,560,878
1995 - $11,396,706,587
1994 - $10,122,020,000
1993 - $13,695,962,055
1992 - $13,253,565,861
1991 - $12,981,833,333
1990 - $12,308,624,418
1989 - $9,853,395,762
1988 - $10,577,041,645
1987 - $11,356,215,543
1986 - $13,293,205,278
1985 - $16,403,539,893
1984 - $17,503,078,174
1983 - $17,589,277,143
1982 - $16,298,929,011
1981 - $15,518,201,335
1980 - $13,062,420,382
1979 - $9,929,681,529
1978 - $9,275,200,458
1977 - $7,696,011,396
1976 - $7,633,528,867
1975 - $6,826,980,444
1974 - $5,159,557,148
1973 - $3,239,487,516
1972 - $3,059,681,698
1971 - $2,589,851,325
1970 - $2,140,384,010
1969 - $2,245,011,515
1968 - $1,753,746,430
1967 - $1,580,229,799
1966 - $1,342,287,553
1965 - $1,472,036,540
1964 - $1,339,494,267
1963 - $1,200,447,408
1962 - $1,110,565,881
1961 - $945,244,972
1960 - $857,704,413

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

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

Afghanistan and Syria economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

Syria
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan Syria
2023 $414 $847
2022 $357 $1,052
2021 $356 $664
2020 $511 $572
2019 $497 $1,110
2018 $491 $1,098
2017 $525 $852
2016 $522 $656
2015 $566 $848
2014 $625 $1,061
2013 $637 $986
2012 $651 $1,898
2011 $607 $2,952
2010 $561 $2,731
2009 $452 $2,462
2008 $382 $2,429
2007 $376 $1,938
2006 $274.2 $1,719
2005 $254.2 $1,534
2004 $221.8 $1,368
2003 $198.9 $1,220
2002 $179 $1,183
2001 $138.7 $1,187
2000 $174.9 $1,138
1999 - $978
1998 - $961
1997 - $941
1996 - $918
1995 - $780
1994 - $712
1993 - $993
1992 - $990
1991 - $1,000
1990 - $978
1989 - $809
1988 - $898
1987 - $997
1986 - $1,208
1985 - $1,544
1984 - $1,706
1983 - $1,776
1982 - $1,703
1981 - $1,676
1980 - $1,458
1979 - $1,146
1978 - $1,108
1977 - $951
1976 - $976
1975 - $904
1974 - $707
1973 - $459
1972 - $448
1971 - $393
1970 - $335
1969 - $364
1968 - $293.3
1967 - $272.9
1966 - $239.3
1965 - $270.8
1964 - $254.2
1963 - $234.9
1962 - $223.9
1961 - $196.3
1960 - $183.5

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

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

Afghanistan vs. Syria life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

Syria
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan Syria
2026 66.8 73.4
2025 66.5 73
2024 66.3 72.6
2023 66 72.1
2022 65.6 72.8
2021 60.4 72.4
2020 61.5 71.9
2019 62.9 71
2018 62.4 67.4
2017 62.4 65.7
2016 62.6 65.2
2015 62.3 63.3
2014 62.3 65.5
2013 62.2 65.1
2012 61.7 66.2
2011 61.3 72.3
2010 60.7 73.5
2009 60.2 73.5
2008 59.7 73.4
2007 59 73.3
2006 58.6 73
2005 58.2 72.8
2004 57.8 72.5
2003 57.2 72.2
2002 56.2 71.7
2001 55.5 71.3
2000 55 70.9
1999 54.5 70.5
1998 52.5 70.2
1997 53.2 70.2
1996 52.8 70.2
1995 52.1 70.2
1994 51 70.3
1993 51 70.3
1992 46.6 70.2
1991 45.5 70.1
1990 45.1 69.8
1989 44.5 69.5
1988 43.2 69.2
1987 38.8 68.8
1986 38.4 68.4
1985 32.1 68
1984 31.5 67.7
1983 36.5 67.4
1982 36.1 60.8
1981 39.4 64.6
1980 39.3 66.5
1979 38.8 66.2
1978 40.1 65.9
1977 41.1 65.4
1976 40.5 64.8
1975 40 64.2
1974 39.5 63.4
1973 39 60.8
1972 38.4 62
1971 37.9 61.3
1970 37.5 60.6
1969 37 59.8
1968 36.5 59.1
1967 36 58
1966 35.6 57.6
1965 35.1 56.9
1964 34.7 56.2
1963 34.2 55.4
1962 33.8 54.6
1961 33.3 53.7
1960 32.8 52.7
1959 32.3 51.7
1958 31.8 50.7
1957 31.3 49.6
1956 30.8 48.5
1955 30.4 47.4
1954 29.7 46.4
1953 29.5 45.3
1952 29 44.3
1951 28.6 43.4
1950 28.2 42.5

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

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

Afghanistan and Syria population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

Syria
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan Syria
2024 42,647,492 24,672,760
2023 41,454,761 23,594,623
2022 40,578,842 22,462,173
2021 40,000,412 21,628,839
2020 39,068,979 21,049,429
2019 37,856,121 20,353,534
2018 36,743,039 19,577,845
2017 35,688,935 19,224,668
2016 34,700,612 19,193,834
2015 33,831,764 19,424,618
2014 32,792,523 20,273,659
2013 31,622,704 21,666,917
2012 30,560,034 22,759,763
2011 29,347,708 22,878,098
2010 28,284,089 22,482,421
2009 27,466,101 21,976,969
2008 26,482,622 21,636,564
2007 25,909,852 20,884,125
2006 25,424,094 19,637,022
2005 24,404,567 18,814,091
2004 23,560,654 18,336,875
2003 22,733,049 17,889,296
2002 21,378,117 17,468,332
2001 20,284,307 17,051,338
2000 20,130,327 16,637,888
1999 19,887,785 16,228,061
1998 19,159,996 15,820,413
1997 18,452,091 15,417,542
1996 17,763,266 15,018,104
1995 17,065,836 14,616,801
1994 16,250,794 14,208,583
1993 14,943,172 13,795,686
1992 13,278,974 13,385,571
1991 12,238,879 12,980,821
1990 12,045,660 12,579,208
1989 11,874,088 12,179,060
1988 11,523,298 11,782,264
1987 11,387,818 11,388,923
1986 11,420,074 11,002,844
1985 11,426,852 10,625,672
1984 11,190,221 10,258,398
1983 10,917,982 9,904,809
1982 10,991,378 9,572,511
1981 11,937,581 9,260,189
1980 13,169,311 8,957,663
1979 13,655,567 8,661,909
1978 13,611,441 8,372,759
1977 13,340,756 8,090,501
1976 13,059,851 7,817,320
1975 12,773,954 7,554,364
1974 12,469,127 7,302,160
1973 12,157,999 7,060,321
1972 11,853,696 6,826,024
1971 11,567,667 6,598,094
1970 11,290,128 6,380,609
1969 11,017,409 6,175,166
1968 10,756,922 5,978,742
1967 10,505,959 5,790,198
1966 10,266,395 5,609,047
1965 10,036,008 5,435,267
1964 9,814,318 5,269,087
1963 9,604,487 5,110,467
1962 9,404,406 4,959,340
1961 9,214,083 4,815,466
1960 9,035,043 4,673,500

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

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

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and Syria

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

Syria
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan Syria
2023 4.84 2.71
2022 4.93 2.75
2021 5.04 2.8
2020 5.15 2.84
2019 5.24 2.88
2018 5.33 2.93
2017 5.43 2.97
2016 5.54 3.01
2015 5.65 3.07
2014 5.77 3.12
2013 5.88 3.17
2012 5.99 3.22
2011 6.09 3.29
2010 6.2 3.36
2009 6.3 3.42
2008 6.39 3.48
2007 6.51 3.54
2006 6.69 3.56
2005 6.86 3.61
2004 7.02 3.68
2003 7.17 3.76
2002 7.32 3.87
2001 7.45 3.98
2000 7.57 4.07
1999 7.64 4.14
1998 7.69 4.25
1997 7.73 4.37
1996 7.76 4.54
1995 7.77 4.7
1994 7.77 4.86
1993 7.76 4.99
1992 7.7 5.14
1991 7.63 5.34
1990 7.58 5.56
1989 7.56 5.78
1988 7.55 6
1987 7.55 6.2
1986 7.55 6.37
1985 7.55 6.48
1984 7.55 6.59
1983 7.57 6.69
1982 7.6 6.81
1981 7.62 6.97
1980 7.64 7.12
1979 7.61 7.25
1978 7.6 7.35
1977 7.59 7.42
1976 7.56 7.45
1975 7.54 7.49
1974 7.53 7.52
1973 7.49 7.55
1972 7.45 7.57
1971 7.43 7.6
1970 7.4 7.62
1969 7.39 7.59
1968 7.36 7.57
1967 7.34 7.56
1966 7.32 7.55
1965 7.31 7.53
1964 7.3 7.53
1963 7.3 7.51
1962 7.29 7.51
1961 7.28 7.5
1960 7.28 7.51

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

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

Afghanistan and Syria demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

Syria
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan Syria
2024 18.2 23.9
2023 18 23.3
2022 17.8 22.7
2021 17.6 22.2
2020 17.5 21.6
2019 17.3 20.9
2018 17.1 20.1
2017 17 19.6
2016 16.8 19.5
2015 16.6 19.5
2014 16.4 20.1
2013 16.2 21.2
2012 16 21.8
2011 15.9 21.9
2010 15.7 21.7
2009 15.5 21.5
2008 15.3 21.3
2007 15.2 21
2006 15.1 20.3
2005 15 19.7
2004 14.9 19.5
2003 14.9 19.2
2002 14.9 19
2001 14.9 18.8
2000 15 18.5
1999 15.1 18.3
1998 15.2 18.1
1997 15.3 17.9
1996 15.5 17.7
1995 15.6 17.5
1994 15.7 17.3
1993 15.8 17.1
1992 15.9 16.9
1991 16 16.7
1990 16.1 16.5
1989 16.1 16.4
1988 16.2 16.2
1987 16.3 16.1
1986 16.3 16
1985 16.4 15.9
1984 16.5 15.8
1983 16.6 15.8
1982 16.7 15.7
1981 16.8 15.6
1980 16.9 15.6
1979 17 15.6
1978 17.2 15.6
1977 17.3 15.6
1976 17.4 15.6
1975 17.5 15.7
1974 17.6 15.7
1973 17.7 15.7
1972 17.8 15.8
1971 17.9 15.8
1970 18.1 15.9
1969 18.2 16
1968 18.3 16.1
1967 18.4 16.2
1966 18.5 16.4
1965 18.6 16.5
1964 18.6 16.7
1963 18.7 16.9
1962 18.8 17.1
1961 18.9 17.3
1960 18.9 17.6

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

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

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan Syria
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$18.2B
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
28.6%
2010
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
5.13%
2009
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
4.06%
2010
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
269,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-7.79%
2010
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
8.61%
2010
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
12%
2022
Economic freedom index
53
2021
51.2
2012
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.8%
2022
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$20.6B
2010
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$1.62B
2010
International tourist arrivals n/a
2,424,000
2019
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
32.2%
2010
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
23.3%
2011

Energy

Afghanistan Syria
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
455 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$10.5
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
31.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
1.27 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
99.5%
2022
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
1.1%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
0.72%
2022
Net energy imports use share n/a
61.3%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
690 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
3.91%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
3.76%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
88.4%
2023

Society

Afghanistan Syria
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.3%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
+421,693
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
72.1%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
50:50
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.63 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.23 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
18.4
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
15
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
33
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
2.07
2010
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
14.9
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
37
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
94.4%
2021
English speaking
6%
2023
4%
2025
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
34.7%
2019

Health

Afghanistan Syria
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$33.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$24.1
2023
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
73.4 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
11.8%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
1.52
2021
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
n/a
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
20
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
20.6
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
n/a
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
19%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
42
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
n/a
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
0.09 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan Syria
% of world land
0.44%
2026
0.12%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
2,874 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
52,533 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
2,016 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 (2010–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2012–2021, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
  11. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.