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Afghanistan vs United Kingdom statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a population of 42.6M (ranked 36/197), compared with 69.2M in The United Kingdom (ranked 21/197). Afghanistan's land area is 251,827 sq mi versus 93,410 sq mi for The United Kingdom (ranked 40th vs. 78th).

By GDP, Afghanistan ranks 137/197 ($17.2B) and The United Kingdom ranks 6/197 ($3.69T). By GDP per capita, Afghanistan ranks 196/197 ($414), while The United Kingdom ranks 22/197 ($53,246).

Main facts and rankings

Afghanistan United Kingdom
Population
45409324
70154914
Population rank 36/197 22/197
GDP
$17.2B
2023
$3.69T
2024
GDP rank 137/197 6/197
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$53,246
2024
GDP per capita rank 196/197 22/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$62,009
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$3.73T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
101.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$53,900
2024
Government debt per person rank 185/185 7/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$39,230
2026
Land area 251,827 sq mi 93,410 sq mi
Population density
179 ppl/mi²
2026
750 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.84
2023
1.56
2023
Median age
18.2 years
2024
41 years
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
81.7 years
2026

Afghanistan and United Kingdom: Comparison Charts

Afghanistan and United Kingdom economies compared

GDP
Afghanistan

United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP
Afghanistan United Kingdom
2024 - $3,686,033,044,482
2023 $17,152,234,637 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $14,497,243,872 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $14,259,995,441 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $19,955,929,052 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $18,799,444,490 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $18,053,222,687 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $18,753,456,498 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $18,116,572,395 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $19,134,221,645 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $20,497,128,556 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $20,146,416,758 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $19,907,329,778 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $17,805,098,206 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $15,856,668,556 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $12,416,152,732 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $10,109,297,048 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $9,747,886,187 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $6,971,758,282 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $6,203,256,539 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $5,224,896,719 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $4,520,946,819 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $3,825,701,439 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $2,813,571,754 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $3,521,418,060 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 - $1,693,458,987,219
1998 - $1,660,821,464,061
1997 - $1,569,317,288,802
1996 - $1,425,287,051,482
1995 - $1,349,094,208,616
1994 - $1,140,489,745,944
1993 - $1,061,388,722,256
1992 - $1,179,659,529,660
1991 - $1,142,797,178,131
1990 - $1,093,169,389,205
1989 - $926,884,816,754
1988 - $910,122,732,124
1987 - $745,162,608,269
1986 - $601,452,653,181
1985 - $489,285,164,271
1984 - $461,487,097,632
1983 - $489,618,008,186
1982 - $515,048,916,841
1981 - $540,765,675,241
1980 - $564,947,710,899
1979 - $438,994,070,309
1978 - $335,883,029,722
1977 - $263,066,457,352
1976 - $232,614,555,256
1975 - $241,756,637,168
1974 - $206,131,369,799
1973 - $192,537,971,583
1972 - $169,965,034,965
1971 - $148,113,896,325
1970 - $130,671,946,244
1969 - $116,464,702,803
1968 - $107,759,910,068
1967 - $113,116,888,211
1966 - $108,572,752,102
1965 - $101,824,755,079
1964 - $94,407,558,351
1963 - $86,561,961,812
1962 - $81,247,564,157
1961 - $77,741,965,703
1960 - $73,233,967,692

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/united-kingdom | CC BY

Afghanistan and United Kingdom economies compared

GDP per capita
Afghanistan

United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP per capita
Afghanistan United Kingdom
2024 - $53,246
2023 $414 $49,944
2022 $357 $47,057
2021 $356 $47,691
2020 $511 $40,813
2019 $497 $43,159
2018 $491 $43,703
2017 $525 $40,917
2016 $522 $41,258
2015 $566 $45,255
2014 $625 $47,746
2013 $637 $43,607
2012 $651 $42,688
2011 $607 $42,296
2010 $561 $39,778
2009 $452 $39,009
2008 $382 $47,652
2007 $376 $50,629
2006 $274.2 $44,695
2005 $254.2 $42,240
2004 $221.8 $40,504
2003 $198.9 $34,557
2002 $179 $30,159
2001 $138.7 $28,014
2000 $174.9 $28,384
1999 - $28,858
1998 - $28,396
1997 - $26,910
1996 - $24,503
1995 - $23,253
1994 - $19,709
1993 - $18,389
1992 - $20,487
1991 - $19,901
1990 - $19,095
1989 - $16,239
1988 - $15,987
1987 - $13,119
1986 - $10,611
1985 - $8,652
1984 - $8,179
1983 - $8,692
1982 - $9,146
1981 - $9,599
1980 - $10,032
1979 - $7,805
1978 - $5,977
1977 - $4,681
1976 - $4,138
1975 - $4,300
1974 - $3,666
1973 - $3,426
1972 - $3,030
1971 - $2,650
1970 - $2,348
1969 - $2,101
1968 - $1,952
1967 - $2,059
1966 - $1,987
1965 - $1,874
1964 - $1,748
1963 - $1,613
1962 - $1,526
1961 - $1,472
1960 - $1,398

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/united-kingdom | CC BY

Afghanistan vs. United Kingdom life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Afghanistan

United Kingdom
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Afghanistan United Kingdom
2026 66.8 81.7
2025 66.5 81.6
2024 66.3 81.4
2023 66 81.3
2022 65.6 81.1
2021 60.4 80.7
2020 61.5 80.4
2019 62.9 81.4
2018 62.4 81.1
2017 62.4 81.2
2016 62.6 81.1
2015 62.3 80.9
2014 62.3 81.2
2013 62.2 80.9
2012 61.7 80.9
2011 61.3 80.8
2010 60.7 80.4
2009 60.2 80.2
2008 59.7 79.7
2007 59 79.5
2006 58.6 79.3
2005 58.2 79.1
2004 57.8 78.9
2003 57.2 78.3
2002 56.2 78.2
2001 55.5 78.1
2000 55 77.8
1999 54.5 77.4
1998 52.5 77.3
1997 53.2 77.1
1996 52.8 76.9
1995 52.1 76.6
1994 51 76.7
1993 51 76.2
1992 46.6 76.3
1991 45.5 75.9
1990 45.1 75.7
1989 44.5 75.4
1988 43.2 75.3
1987 38.8 75.1
1986 38.4 74.8
1985 32.1 74.5
1984 31.5 74.7
1983 36.5 74.3
1982 36.1 74
1981 39.4 73.9
1980 39.3 73.6
1979 38.8 73.2
1978 40.1 73
1977 41.1 73.1
1976 40.5 72.6
1975 40 72.7
1974 39.5 72.4
1973 39 72.2
1972 38.4 72
1971 37.9 72.2
1970 37.5 71.9
1969 37 71.7
1968 36.5 71.7
1967 36 72.1
1966 35.6 71.4
1965 35.1 71.5
1964 34.7 71.5
1963 34.2 70.8
1962 33.8 70.9
1961 33.3 70.8
1960 32.8 71
1959 32.3 70.8
1958 31.8 70.7
1957 31.3 70.5
1956 30.8 70.4
1955 30.4 70.1
1954 29.7 70.2
1953 29.5 69.8
1952 29 69.5
1951 28.6 68.2
1950 28.2 68.6

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/united-kingdom | CC BY

Afghanistan and United Kingdom population clocks and comparison

Population
Afghanistan

United Kingdom
1x
Year Population
Afghanistan United Kingdom
2024 42,647,492 69,226,000
2023 41,454,761 68,492,000
2022 40,578,842 67,604,000
2021 40,000,412 66,984,000
2020 39,068,979 66,744,000
2019 37,856,121 66,631,000
2018 36,743,039 66,289,000
2017 35,688,935 65,966,000
2016 34,700,612 65,607,000
2015 33,831,764 65,088,000
2014 32,792,523 64,620,000
2013 31,622,704 64,139,000
2012 30,560,034 63,711,000
2011 29,347,708 63,258,810
2010 28,284,089 62,766,365
2009 27,466,101 62,276,270
2008 26,482,622 61,806,995
2007 25,909,852 61,322,463
2006 25,424,094 60,846,820
2005 24,404,567 60,401,206
2004 23,560,654 59,987,905
2003 22,733,049 59,647,577
2002 21,378,117 59,370,479
2001 20,284,307 59,119,673
2000 20,130,327 58,892,514
1999 19,887,785 58,682,466
1998 19,159,996 58,487,141
1997 18,452,091 58,316,954
1996 17,763,266 58,166,950
1995 17,065,836 58,019,030
1994 16,250,794 57,865,745
1993 14,943,172 57,718,614
1992 13,278,974 57,580,402
1991 12,238,879 57,424,897
1990 12,045,660 57,247,586
1989 11,874,088 57,076,711
1988 11,523,298 56,928,327
1987 11,387,818 56,802,050
1986 11,420,074 56,681,396
1985 11,426,852 56,550,268
1984 11,190,221 56,422,072
1983 10,917,982 56,332,848
1982 10,991,378 56,313,641
1981 11,937,581 56,333,829
1980 13,169,311 56,314,216
1979 13,655,567 56,246,951
1978 13,611,441 56,196,504
1977 13,340,756 56,193,492
1976 13,059,851 56,211,968
1975 12,773,954 56,225,800
1974 12,469,127 56,229,974
1973 12,157,999 56,194,527
1972 11,853,696 56,086,065
1971 11,567,667 55,896,223
1970 11,290,128 55,663,250
1969 11,017,409 55,441,750
1968 10,756,922 55,211,700
1967 10,505,959 54,943,600
1966 10,266,395 54,648,500
1965 10,036,008 54,348,050
1964 9,814,318 54,000,000
1963 9,604,487 53,650,000
1962 9,404,406 53,250,000
1961 9,214,083 52,800,000
1960 9,035,043 52,400,000

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/united-kingdom | CC BY

Fertility rates in Afghanistan and United Kingdom

Fertility rate
Afghanistan

United Kingdom
1x
Year Fertility rate
Afghanistan United Kingdom
2023 4.84 1.56
2022 4.93 1.56
2021 5.04 1.58
2020 5.15 1.57
2019 5.24 1.63
2018 5.33 1.68
2017 5.43 1.74
2016 5.54 1.79
2015 5.65 1.8
2014 5.77 1.81
2013 5.88 1.83
2012 5.99 1.92
2011 6.09 1.91
2010 6.2 1.92
2009 6.3 1.89
2008 6.39 1.91
2007 6.51 1.86
2006 6.69 1.82
2005 6.86 1.76
2004 7.02 1.75
2003 7.17 1.7
2002 7.32 1.63
2001 7.45 1.63
2000 7.57 1.64
1999 7.64 1.68
1998 7.69 1.71
1997 7.73 1.72
1996 7.76 1.73
1995 7.77 1.71
1994 7.77 1.74
1993 7.76 1.76
1992 7.7 1.79
1991 7.63 1.82
1990 7.58 1.83
1989 7.56 1.79
1988 7.55 1.82
1987 7.55 1.81
1986 7.55 1.78
1985 7.55 1.79
1984 7.55 1.77
1983 7.57 1.77
1982 7.6 1.78
1981 7.62 1.82
1980 7.64 1.9
1979 7.61 1.86
1978 7.6 1.75
1977 7.59 1.69
1976 7.56 1.74
1975 7.54 1.81
1974 7.53 1.92
1973 7.49 2.04
1972 7.45 2.2
1971 7.43 2.41
1970 7.4 2.44
1969 7.39 2.51
1968 7.36 2.6
1967 7.34 2.68
1966 7.32 2.78
1965 7.31 2.86
1964 7.3 2.93
1963 7.3 2.88
1962 7.29 2.86
1961 7.28 2.78
1960 7.28 2.69

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/united-kingdom | CC BY

Afghanistan and United Kingdom demographics compared

Median age
Afghanistan

United Kingdom
1x
Year Median age, years
Afghanistan United Kingdom
2024 18.2 41
2023 18 40.8
2022 17.8 40.5
2021 17.6 40.3
2020 17.5 40.2
2019 17.3 40.1
2018 17.1 40
2017 17 39.9
2016 16.8 39.8
2015 16.6 39.8
2014 16.4 39.7
2013 16.2 39.6
2012 16 39.5
2011 15.9 39.3
2010 15.7 39.2
2009 15.5 39
2008 15.3 38.9
2007 15.2 38.8
2006 15.1 38.6
2005 15 38.5
2004 14.9 38.4
2003 14.9 38.2
2002 14.9 38.1
2001 14.9 37.9
2000 15 37.7
1999 15.1 37.4
1998 15.2 37.2
1997 15.3 37
1996 15.5 36.8
1995 15.6 36.6
1994 15.7 36.5
1993 15.8 36.3
1992 15.9 36.2
1991 16 36.1
1990 16.1 36
1989 16.1 35.9
1988 16.2 35.7
1987 16.3 35.4
1986 16.3 35.4
1985 16.4 35.3
1984 16.5 35.2
1983 16.6 35
1982 16.7 34.8
1981 16.8 34.5
1980 16.9 34.4
1979 17 34.3
1978 17.2 34.2
1977 17.3 34.1
1976 17.4 34
1975 17.5 34
1974 17.6 34
1973 17.7 34
1972 17.8 34
1971 17.9 34.1
1970 18.1 34.2
1969 18.2 34.4
1968 18.3 34.6
1967 18.4 34.8
1966 18.5 34.9
1965 18.6 35.1
1964 18.6 35.2
1963 18.7 35.3
1962 18.8 35.3
1961 18.9 35.4
1960 18.9 35.5

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

GeoRank.org/facts/afghanistan/united-kingdom | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Afghanistan United Kingdom
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$3.42T
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
44%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
4.34%
2017
4.96%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
1.83%
2021
2.28%
2024
Armed forces personnel
165,000
2020
153,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-0.54%
2024
-5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.36%
2024
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
72.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
17.1%
2024
Economic freedom index
53
2021
70.4
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2021
Number of millionaires n/a
2,624,000
2025
Percentage of millionaires n/a
4.93%
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
55
2025
Percentage of billionaires n/a
0.0001%
2025
Listed domestic companies n/a
1,606
2022
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.1T
2022
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$175B
2024
Personal remittances received
$320M
2024
$4.83B
2024
International tourist arrivals n/a
11,101,000
2020
International tourism as share of exports
5.08%
2020
8.24%
1998
Banked people share
9.65%
2021
99.3%
2024

Energy

Afghanistan United Kingdom
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita n/a
2,128 kg
2023
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use n/a
$28.2
2023
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
12.1 megatons
2024
292.4 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.28 tons
2024
4.22 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share n/a
75.5%
2023
Renewable energy use share
20%
2022
12.2%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share n/a
13.4%
2023
Net energy imports use share n/a
44%
2023
Electric power consumption per capita n/a
4,208 kWh
2023
Renewable electricity output share
78.2%
2021
40.2%
2021
Hydroelectric share
71.7%
2021
2.51%
2023
Nuclear share
0%
2021
13.8%
2023
Electricity access
85.3%
2023
100%
2023

Society

Afghanistan United Kingdom
% of world population
0.52%
2024
0.85%
2024
Annual migration change
-74,404
2025
+389,911
2025
Urban population
25.7%
2024
83.2%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.5:49.5
2024
49.2:50.8
2024
Average male height
5.53 ft
2025
5.85 ft
2025
Average female height
5.12 ft
2025
5.38 ft
2025
Quality of life index
15.5
2026
91
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
16
2025
70
2025
Higher education index
20
2026
100
2026
Homicides per 100K people
4.02
2021
1.15
2021
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
15.9
2019
3.2
2019
Visa free countries
36
2025
167
2025
Adult literacy rate
37.3%
2021
99%
2003
English speaking
6%
2023
98.3%
2023
People using the Internet
17.7%
2023
96.3%
2023

Health

Afghanistan United Kingdom
Government health expenditure per capita
$59.1
2023
$5,860
2024
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$45.6
2023
$853
2024
Life expectancy
66.8 years
2026
81.7 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
21.2%
2023
0.009%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.32
2023
3.3
2023
Age at first childbirth
19.9 years
2025
29 years
2018
Maternal mortality per 100K births
521
2023
8
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
55.5
2023
4.5
2023
Obesity rate
19.6%
2022
27.6%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
11.7%
2024
7.4%
2024
Air quality index
3
2026
83
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
22.7%
2022
14.2%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
0.01 liters
2020
10.7 liters
2020

Territory

Afghanistan United Kingdom
% of world land
0.44%
2026
0.16%
2026
Land area per capita
5,905 sq mi
2024
1,349 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
147,167 sq mi
2026
65,674 sq mi
2026
Forest area
4,666 sq mi
2026
12,415 sq mi
2026
Roads length
21,688 mi
2021
263,542 mi
2020

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)
  12. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) (2018, retrieved 2026-03-10)

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