Afghanistan Population Pyramid (2026)
Afghanistan has a population of 45,047,069 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 36th-largest population in the world and 0.54% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 42.2% of the population and people aged 65 and over 2.5%, with 102.1 males for every 100 females.
Afghanistan Demographics
Afghanistan has 45.0 million people in 2026, up 299.0% from 11.3 million in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 1,272,232 (UN projection for 2026).
65+ share 2.5% — the 8th-lowest of 194 countries.
Median age 17.4 — the 11th-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen Alpha — 33.8% (15,205,662)
All generations in Afghanistan →Compare Afghanistan Demographics
Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Afghanistan's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Afghanistan has 102.1 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Men outnumber women by 464,251 (1.0% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:22,755,660
- Percentage:50.5%
Female Statistics
- Population:22,291,409
- Percentage:49.5%
- Ratio Format:1:0.980
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Afghanistan indicates more males than females.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 1,520,756 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,453,685 | 36.3 | 5.04 | estimate |
| 2022 | 1,462,654 | 36.0 | 4.93 | estimate |
| 2023 | 1,469,029 | 35.4 | 4.84 | estimate |
| 2024 | 1,492,956 | 35.0 | 4.76 | projection |
| 2025 | 1,507,838 | 34.4 | 4.66 | projection |
| 2026 | 1,520,756 | 33.8 | 4.56 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (1,520,756 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Afghanistan's median age is 17.4 years
Half the population is younger than 17.4 years, half is older — indicating a very young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 7,011,466 | 15.6% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 6,324,194 | 14.0% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 5,681,671 | 12.6% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 4,984,513 | 11.1% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 4,432,603 | 9.8% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 3,843,253 | 8.5% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 3,120,808 | 6.9% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 2,385,116 | 5.3% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 1,833,207 | 4.1% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 1,505,858 | 3.3% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 1,213,689 | 2.7% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 928,838 | 2.1% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 677,048 | 1.5% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 477,218 | 1.1% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 314,100 | 0.7% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 187,220 | 0.4% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 90,411 | 0.2% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 29,303 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 5,902 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 619 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 30 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 2 (high birth rate, falling death rate): 33.8 births and 5.5 deaths per 1,000, a natural increase of about 2.8% a year (births minus deaths, before migration). Read more about Stage 2 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Afghanistan Total Fertility Rate: 4.56 children per woman
Above the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 5.04 | 36.3 | |
| 2022 | 4.93 | 36.0 | ↓0.11 |
| 2023 | 4.84 | 35.4 | ↓0.09 |
| 2024 | 4.76 | 35.0 | ↓0.08 |
| 2025 | 4.66 | 34.4 | ↓0.10 |
| 2026 | 4.56 | 33.8 | ↓0.10 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Above global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 4.22
Afghanistan's total fertility rate is 4.56 children per woman in 2026 (high fertility), above the replacement level of 2.1. Afghanistan ranks 9 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the highest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −37.1% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Afghanistan's population has increased by 479.3%.
The median age has decreased from 18.4 in 1950 to 17.4 in 2026, indicating a younger demographic profile.
Understanding Afghanistan's Demographics
Afghanistan has an expansive population pyramid — a broad base of children that narrows steadily toward older ages.
Children under 15 make up 42.2% of the population and people aged 65 and over 2.5%.
The largest five-year age band is 0–4, at 15.6% of the population.
Demographic Analysis: Afghanistan's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
The working-age share is still rising, from 51.8% in 2016 to 55.3% in 2026 (dependency ratio 80.7).
Fertility Transition Stage
Afghanistan is in a period of high fertility, with a total fertility rate of 4.56 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Afghanistan's median age changed by +1.7 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 45,047,069 |
| Male Population | 22,755,660(50.5%) |
| Female Population | 22,291,409(49.5%) |
| Median Age | 17.4 years |
| Sex Ratio | 102.1 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 19,017,331(42.2%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 24,924,935(55.3%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 1,104,803(2.5%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 80.7 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 76.3 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 4.4 |
| Pyramid Type | Expansive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Afghanistan
How long the average person in Afghanistan is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Afghanistan is projected to grow to 76.9 million people by 2050 (+70.7% from 2026).
The median age rises from 17.4 in 2026 to 23.0 by 2050.
Major Events That Shaped Afghanistan's Demographics
Understanding the historical events and policy decisions that created Afghanistan's current population structure.
Soviet Invasion and Civil War
1979-2001Decades of conflict created massive displacement and demographic disruption.
Demographic Impact
Total fertility was 7.61 children per woman in 1979 and 7.45 by 2001, and the population rose from 13.7 million to 20.3 million over the period.
Taliban Rule and Isolation
1996-2001Strict Islamic governance limited women's rights and development.
Demographic Impact
Total fertility was 7.76 children per woman in 1996 — among the world's highest — and 7.45 by 2001.
International Intervention Period
2001-2021Foreign assistance brought healthcare improvements and education expansion.
Demographic Impact
Life expectancy at birth rose from 55.5 years in 2001 to 61.5 by 2020, total fertility fell from 7.45 to 5.15 children per woman, and the population reached 39.1 million by 2020.
Afghanistan's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 16.6%, growing from 11.3 million in 1970 to 13.2 million by 1980
The median age decreased by 1.2 years, indicating a younger demographic profile during this period
The youth population share expanded by 2.1 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 11.3M to 13.2M
- • Growth rate of 16.6% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 17.0 to 15.8 years (−1.2y)
- • 65+ share changed by −0.2 points; under-15 share by +2.1 points
How Does Afghanistan Compare to Its Neighbors?
Afghanistan has a younger population than India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka. Afghanistan has a smaller population than India, Pakistan, Bangladesh.
Afghanistan
India
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan (Current) | 45,047,069 | 17.4 | 42.2% | 2.5% | expansive |
| India | 1,476,625,577 | 29.2 | 23.8% | 7.6% | stationary |
| Pakistan | 259,299,792 | 20.8 | 35.8% | 4.4% | expansive |
| Bangladesh | 177,818,045 | 26.3 | 27.3% | 6.8% | stationary |
| Sri Lanka | 23,348,314 | 33.6 | 21.4% | 12.8% | stationary |
Frequently Asked Questions About Afghanistan
How does Afghanistan rank globally by population?
Afghanistan ranks 36th in the world by population with 45.0 million people as of 2026, representing 0.54% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does Afghanistan's age structure reveal about its development?
Afghanistan's age structure — 42.2% under 15, 55.3% working-age (15–64) and 2.5% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 2 of the demographic transition, with an expansive population pyramid. The median age is 17.4 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Afghanistan?
Afghanistan has 80.7 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Afghanistan experiencing a demographic dividend?
Afghanistan is opening its demographic-dividend window. The working-age share is still rising, from 51.8% in 2016 to 55.3% in 2026 (dependency ratio 80.7). The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Afghanistan's population?
Afghanistan has more males than females, with 102.1 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Afghanistan Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/afghanistan
View UN World Population Prospects Data →