Afghanistan—Population Growth (%)
Afghanistan's population growth rate was 2.8% in 2025, ranking #20 out of 217 countries. This represents a -2.4% change from 2024. Over the past 65 years, the highest recorded value was 11.8% (1993) and the lowest was -9.8% (1981). Data sourced from the World Bank World Development Indicators.
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.8% | -2.4% |
| 2024 | 2.8% | +32.8% |
| 2023 | 2.1% | +48.7% |
| 2022 | 1.4% | -39.1% |
| 2021 | 2.4% | -25.3% |
| 2020 | 3.2% | +5.7% |
| 2019 | 3.0% | +2.5% |
| 2018 | 2.9% | +3.6% |
| 2017 | 2.8% | +10.8% |
| 2016 | 2.5% | -18.7% |
| 2015 | 3.1% | -14.1% |
| 2014 | 3.6% | +6.3% |
| 2013 | 3.4% | -15.6% |
| 2012 | 4.0% | +9.7% |
| 2011 | 3.7% | +25.8% |
| 2010 | 2.9% | -19.5% |
| 2009 | 3.6% | +66.8% |
| 2008 | 2.2% | +15.5% |
| 2007 | 1.9% | -53.8% |
| 2006 | 4.1% | +16.3% |
| 2005 | 3.5% | -1.6% |
| 2004 | 3.6% | -41.8% |
| 2003 | 6.1% | +17.0% |
| 2002 | 5.3% | +589.2% |
| 2001 | 0.8% | -37.1% |
| 2000 | 1.2% | -67.5% |
| 1999 | 3.7% | -1.0% |
| 1998 | 3.8% | -1.0% |
| 1997 | 3.8% | -5.0% |
| 1996 | 4.0% | -18.2% |
| 1995 | 4.9% | -41.7% |
| 1994 | 8.4% | -29.0% |
| 1993 | 11.8% | +44.8% |
| 1992 | 8.2% | +412.6% |
| 1991 | 1.6% | +10.9% |
| 1990 | 1.4% | -52.2% |
| 1989 | 3.0% | +153.6% |
| 1988 | 1.2% | +518.1% |
| 1987 | -0.3% | -376.7% |
| 1986 | -0.1% | -102.8% |
| 1985 | 2.1% | -15.0% |
| 1984 | 2.5% | +467.6% |
| 1983 | -0.7% | +91.9% |
| 1982 | -8.3% | +15.9% |
| 1981 | -9.8% | -170.8% |
| 1980 | -3.6% | -1220.3% |
| 1979 | 0.3% | -83.9% |
| 1978 | 2.0% | -5.6% |
| 1977 | 2.1% | -3.9% |
| 1976 | 2.2% | -8.4% |
| 1975 | 2.4% | -4.4% |
| 1974 | 2.5% | -0.3% |
| 1973 | 2.5% | +3.8% |
| 1972 | 2.4% | +0.6% |
| 1971 | 2.4% | -0.7% |
| 1970 | 2.4% | +2.2% |
| 1969 | 2.4% | +1.4% |
| 1968 | 2.4% | +2.3% |
| 1967 | 2.3% | +1.6% |
| 1966 | 2.3% | +1.6% |
| 1965 | 2.2% | +3.4% |
| 1964 | 2.2% | +2.7% |
| 1963 | 2.1% | +3.0% |
| 1962 | 2.0% | +4.2% |
| 1961 | 2.0% |
Top Countries — Population Growth (%)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Arab Emirates | 4.7% | 2025 |
| 2 | Saudi Arabia | 4.6% | 2025 |
| 3 | Oman | 4.0% | 2025 |
| 4 | Qatar | 3.9% | 2025 |
| 5 | Syrian Arab Republic | 3.8% | 2025 |
| 6 | Chad | 3.4% | 2025 |
| 7 | Central African Republic | 3.4% | 2025 |
| 8 | Somalia, Fed. Rep. | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 9 | Niger | 3.2% | 2025 |
| 10 | Congo, Dem. Rep. | 3.2% | 2025 |
About This Indicator
Definition
Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.
Methodology
World Bank WDI. Original contributors: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division; Statistical databases and publications from national statistical offices, National Statistical Offices (NSOs), note: Derived from total population; Demographic Statistics, Eurostat (ESTAT), note: Derived from total population; Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Statistical Division
Unit
annual %