2011 Edition

Background

Ahmad Shah DURRANI unified the Pashtun tribes and founded Afghanistan in 1747. The country served as a buffer between the British and Russian Empires until it won independence from notional British control in 1919. A brief experiment in democracy ended in a 1973 coup and a 1978 Communist counter-coup. The Soviet Union invaded in 1979 to support the tottering Afghan Communist regime, touching off a long and destructive war. The USSR withdrew in 1989 under relentless pressure by internationally supported anti-Communist mujahedin rebels. A series of subsequent civil wars saw Kabul finally fall in 1996 to the Taliban, a hardline Pakistani-sponsored movement that emerged in 1994 to end the country's civil war and anarchy. Following the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., a US, Allied, and anti-Taliban Northern Alliance military action toppled the Taliban for sheltering Osama BIN LADIN. The UN-sponsored Bonn Conference in 2001 established a process for political reconstruction that included the adoption of a new constitution, a presidential election in 2004, and National Assembly elections in 2005. In December 2004, Hamid KARZAI became the first democratically elected president of Afghanistan and the National Assembly was inaugurated the following December. KARZAI was re-elected in August 2009 for a second term. Despite gains toward building a stable central government, a resurgent Taliban and continuing provincial instability - particularly in the south and the east - remain serious challenges for the Afghan Government.

Area

652,230 sq km 652,230 sq km 0 sq km

total

652,230 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Amu Darya 258 m Noshak 7,485 m

highest point

Noshak 7,485 m

lowest point

Amu Darya 258 m

Environment - current issues

limited natural freshwater resources; inadequate supplies of potable water; soil degradation; overgrazing; deforestation (much of the remaining forests are being cut down for fuel and building materials); desertification; air and water pollution

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection

signed, but not ratified

Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Life Conservation

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

23.26 cu km/yr (2%/0%/98%) 779 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

779 cu m/yr (2000)

total

23.26 cu km/yr (2%/0%/98%)

Geographic coordinates

33 00 N, 65 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; the Hindu Kush mountains that run northeast to southwest divide the northern provinces from the rest of the country; the highest peaks are in the northern Vakhan (Wakhan Corridor)

Irrigated land

31,990 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

5,529 km China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km

border countries

China 76 km, Iran 936 km, Pakistan 2,430 km, Tajikistan 1,206 km, Turkmenistan 744 km, Uzbekistan 137 km

total

5,529 km

Land use

12.13% 0.21% 87.66% (2005)

arable land

12.13%

other

87.66% (2005)

permanent crops

0.21%

Location

Southern Asia, north and west of Pakistan, east of Iran

Map references

Asia

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts

Natural resources

natural gas, petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, barites, sulfur, lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, precious and semiprecious stones

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest

Total renewable water resources

65 cu km (1997)

Age structure

42.3% (male 6,464,070/female 6,149,468) 55.3% (male 8,460,486/female 8,031,968) 2.4% (male 349,349/female 380,051) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

42.3% (male 6,464,070/female 6,149,468)

15-64 years

55.3% (male 8,460,486/female 8,031,968)

65 years and over

2.4% (male 349,349/female 380,051) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

37.83 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

32.9% (2004)

Death rate

17.39 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 78% of population rural: 39% of population total: 48% of population urban: 22% of population rural: 61% of population total: 52% of population (2008)

rural

61% of population

total

52% of population (2008)

urban

22% of population

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

Pashtun 42%, Tajik 27%, Hazara 9%, Uzbek 9%, Aimak 4%, Turkmen 3%, Baloch 2%, other 4%

Health expenditures

7.4% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.01% (2001 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

0.4 beds/1,000 population (2009)

Infant mortality rate

149.2 deaths/1,000 live births 152.75 deaths/1,000 live births 145.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

145.47 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

149.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism

Life expectancy at birth

45.02 years 44.79 years 45.25 years (2011 est.)

female

45.25 years (2011 est.)

total population

45.02 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 28.1% 43.1% 12.6% (2000 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

12.6% (2000 est.)

male

43.1%

total population

28.1%

Major cities - population

KABUL (capital) 3.573 million (2009)

Major infectious diseases

high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria

Maternal mortality rate

1,400 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

18.2 years 18.2 years 18.2 years (2011 est.)

female

18.2 years (2011 est.)

male

18.2 years

total

18.2 years

Nationality

Afghan(s) Afghan

adjective

Afghan

noun

Afghan(s)

Net migration rate

3.31 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

29,835,392 (July 2011 est.) this is a significantly revised figure; the previous estimate of 33,609,937 was extrapolated from the last Afghan census held in 1979, which was never completed because of the Soviet invasion

Population growth rate

2.375% (2011 est.)

Religions

Sunni Muslim 80%, Shia Muslim 19%, other 1%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 60% of population rural: 30% of population total: 37% of population urban: 40% of population rural: 70% of population total: 63% of population (2008)

rural

70% of population

total

63% of population (2008)

urban

40% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 11 years 7 years (2009)

female

7 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 0.92 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.05 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.92 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.05 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.05 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.39 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

23% of total population (2010) 4.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

23% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

34 provinces (welayat, singular - welayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamyan, Daykundi, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghor, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabul, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khost, Kunar, Kunduz, Laghman, Logar, Nangarhar, Nimroz, Nuristan, Paktika, Paktiya, Panjshir, Parwan, Samangan, Sar-e Pul, Takhar, Uruzgan, Wardak, Zabul

Capital

Kabul 34 31 N, 69 11 E UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

34 31 N, 69 11 E

name

Kabul

time difference

UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

sixth constitution drafted 14 December 2003-4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004; ratified 26 January 2004

Country name

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Afghanistan Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan Afghanestan Republic of Afghanistan

conventional long form

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

conventional short form

Afghanistan

former

Republic of Afghanistan

local long form

Jomhuri-ye Eslami-ye Afghanestan

local short form

Afghanestan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Ryan CROCKER The Great Masood Road, Kabul U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806 [93] 0700 108 001 [93] 0700 108 564

chief of mission

Ambassador Ryan CROCKER

embassy

The Great Masood Road, Kabul

FAX

[93] 0700 108 564

mailing address

U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806

telephone

[93] 0700 108 001

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Eklil Ahmad HAKIMI 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-6410 [1] (202) 483-6488 Los Angeles, New York

chancery

2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Eklil Ahmad HAKIMI

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 483-6488

telephone

[1] (202) 483-6410

Executive branch

President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Mohammad FAHIM Khan (since 19 November 2009); Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Mohammad FAHIM Khan (since 19 November 2009); Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004) 25 ministers; note - ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly the president and two vice presidents elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a second round; election last held on 20 August 2009 (next to be held in 2014) Hamid KARZAI reelected president; percent of vote (first round) - Hamid KARZAI 49.67%, Abdullah ABDULLAH 30.59%, Ramazan BASHARDOST 10.46%, Ashraf GHANI 2.94%; other 6.34%; note - ABDULLAH conceded the election to KARZAI following the first round vote

cabinet

25 ministers; note - ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly

chief of state

President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Mohammad FAHIM Khan (since 19 November 2009); Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

Hamid KARZAI reelected president; percent of vote (first round) - Hamid KARZAI 49.67%, Abdullah ABDULLAH 30.59%, Ramazan BASHARDOST 10.46%, Ashraf GHANI 2.94%; other 6.34%; note - ABDULLAH conceded the election to KARZAI following the first round vote

elections

the president and two vice presidents elected by direct vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); if no candidate receives 50% or more of the vote in the first round of voting, the two candidates with the most votes will participate in a second round; election last held on 20 August 2009 (next to be held in 2014)

head of government

President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Hamid KARZAI (since 7 December 2004); First Vice President Mohammad FAHIM Khan (since 19 November 2009); Second Vice President Abdul Karim KHALILI (since 7 December 2004)

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of black (hoist side), red, and green, with the national emblem in white centered on the red band and slightly overlapping the other two bands; the center of the emblem features a mosque with pulpit and flags on either side, below the mosque are numerals for the solar year 1298 (1919 in the Gregorian calendar, the year of Afghan independence from the UK); this central image is circled by a border consisting of sheaves of wheat on the left and right, in the upper-center is an Arabic inscription of the Shahada (Muslim creed) below which are rays of the rising sun over the Takbir (Arabic expression meaning "God is great"), and at bottom center is a scroll bearing the name Afghanistan; black signifies the past, red is for the blood shed for independence, and green can represent either hope for the future, agricultural prosperity, or Islam Afghanistan had more changes to its national flag in the 20th century than any other country; the colors black, red, and green appeared on most of them

Government type

Islamic republic

Independence

19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB, CICA, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)

Judicial branch

the constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a minister of justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic law

Legislative branch

the bicameral National Assembly consists of the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, one-third of members elected from provincial councils for four-year terms, one-third elected from local district councils for three-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for five-year terms) and the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 250 seats); members directly elected for five-year terms on rare occasions the government may convene a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity; it can amend the provisions of the constitution and prosecute the president; it is made up of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils last held on 18 September 2010 (next election expected in 2015) results by party - NA; note - ethnicity is the main factor influencing political alliances; compositon of Loya Jirga seats by ethnic groups - Pashtun 96, Hazara 61, Tajik 53, Uzbek 15, Aimak 8, Arab 8, Turkmen 3, Nuristani 2, Baloch 1, Pahhai 1, Turkic 1; women hold 68 seats

election results

results by party - NA; note - ethnicity is the main factor influencing political alliances; compositon of Loya Jirga seats by ethnic groups - Pashtun 96, Hazara 61, Tajik 53, Uzbek 15, Aimak 8, Arab 8, Turkmen 3, Nuristani 2, Baloch 1, Pahhai 1, Turkic 1; women hold 68 seats

elections

last held on 18 September 2010 (next election expected in 2015)

National anthem

"Milli Surood" (National Anthem) Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA adopted 2006; the 2004 constitution of the post-Taliban government mandated that a new national anthem should be written containing the phrase "Allahu Akbar" (God is Great) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups

lyrics/music

Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA

name

"Milli Surood" (National Anthem)

National holiday

Independence Day, 19 August (1919)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

Afghanistan's Islamic Mission Organization [Abdul Rasoul SAYYAF]; Afghanistan's Welfare Party [Meer Asef ZAEEFI]; Afghan Social Democratic Party [Anwarul Haq AHAD]; Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Sayed Hussain ANWARI]; Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Khalid FAROOQI, Abdul Hadi ARGHANDIWAL]; Islamic Society of Afghanistan [Ustad RABBANI]; Islamic Unity of the Nation of Afghanistan Party [Qurban Ali URFANI]; Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim KHALILI]; Islamic Unity Party of the People of Afghanistan [Haji Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Law and Justice Party [Hanif ATMAR]; National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Ahmad GAILANEE]; National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan [Sayed NOORULLAH]; National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan [Pir Sayed Eshaq GAILANEE]; National Linkage Party of Afghanistan [Sayed Mansoor NADERY]; United Islamic Party of Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad AKBARI]; note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice

Political pressure groups and leaders

religious groups; tribal leaders; ethnically based groups; Taliban

other

religious groups; tribal leaders; ethnically based groups; Taliban

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

opium, wheat, fruits, nuts; wool, mutton, sheepskins, lambskins

Budget

$1 billion $3.3 billion Afghanistan has also received $2.6 billion from the Reconstruction Trust Fund and $63 million from the Law and Order Trust Fund (FY09/10 est.)

expenditures

$3.3 billion

revenues

$1 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-14.7% of GDP (FY09/10 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.689% (31 December 2010 est.) 15.222% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$2.475 billion (2009 est.) $85 million (2008 est.)

Debt - external

$2.7 billion (FY08/09) $8 billion (2004)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

29.4 (2008)

Economy - overview

Afghanistan's economy is recovering from decades of conflict. The economy has improved significantly since the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001 largely because of the infusion of international assistance, the recovery of the agricultural sector, and service sector growth. Despite the progress of the past few years, Afghanistan is extremely poor, landlocked, and highly dependent on foreign aid, agriculture, and trade with neighboring countries. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, weak governance, and the Afghan Government's inability to extend rule of law to all parts of the country pose challenges to future economic growth. Afghanistan's living standards are among the lowest in the world. While the international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $67 billion at four donors' conferences since 2002, the Government of Afghanistan will need to overcome a number of challenges, including low revenue collection, anemic job creation, high levels of corruption, weak government capacity, and poor public infrastructure.

Electricity - consumption

231.1 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

120 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

285.5 million kWh (2009 est.)

Exchange rates

afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 46.45 (2010) 50.23 (2009)

Exports

$547 million (2009 est.) $603 million (2008 est.) not including illicit exports or reexports

Exports - commodities

opium, fruits and nuts, handwoven carpets, wool, cotton, hides and pelts, precious and semi-precious gems

Exports - partners

Pakistan 25.9%, India 25.5%, US 14.9%, Tajikistan 9.6%, Germany 5% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

31.6% 26.3% 42.1% data exclude opium production (2008 est.)

agriculture

31.6%

industry

26.3%

services

42.1%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$900 (2010 est.) $900 (2009 est.) $800 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

8.2% (2010 est.) 20.9% (2009 est.) 3.6% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$15.61 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$27.36 billion (2010 est.) $25.28 billion (2009 est.) $20.92 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.8% 24%

highest 10%

24%

lowest 10%

3.8%

Imports

$5.3 billion (2008 est.) $4.5 billion (2007)

Imports - commodities

machinery and other capital goods, food, textiles, petroleum products

Imports - partners

US 29.1%, Pakistan 23.3%, India 7.6%, Russia 4.5%, Germany 4.2% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

small-scale production of textiles, soap, furniture, shoes, fertilizer, apparel, food-products, non-alcoholic beverages, mineral water, cement; handwoven carpets; natural gas, coal, copper

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.9% (2009 est.) -8.3% (2008 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

NA%

Labor force

15 million (2004 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

78.6% 5.7% 15.7% (FY08/09 est.)

agriculture

78.6%

industry

5.7%

services

15.7% (FY08/09 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

30 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

30 million cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

4,800 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

4,512 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

36% (FY08/09)

Stock of broad money

$5.659 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $4.149 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$363.6 million (31 December 2008 est.) $20.06 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$5.307 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $3.943 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

6.4% of GDP (FY09/10 est.)

Unemployment rate

35% (2008 est.) 40% (2005 est.)

Broadcast media

state-owned broadcaster, Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), operates a series of radio and television stations in Kabul and the provinces; an estimated 175 private radio stations, 8 TV networks, and about a dozen international broadcasters are available (2010)

Communications - note

Internet access is growing through Internet cafes as well as public "telekiosks" in Kabul (2005)

Internet country code

.af

Internet hosts

46 (2010)

Internet users

1 million (2009)

Telephone system

limited fixed-line telephone service; an increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service continues to improve rapidly country code - 93; multiple VSAT's provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2009)

domestic

aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service continues to improve rapidly

general assessment

limited fixed-line telephone service; an increasing number of Afghans utilize mobile-cellular phone networks

international

country code - 93; multiple VSAT's provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2009)

Telephones - main lines in use

140,000 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

13 million (2010)

Airports

53 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

8

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

4

total

19

under 914 m

2 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

9 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

14

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

34

under 914 m

9 (2010)

Heliports

11 (2010)

Pipelines

gas 466 km (2010)

Ports and terminals

Kheyrabad, Shir Khan

Roadways

42,150 km 12,350 km 29,800 km (2006)

total

42,150 km

unpaved

29,800 km (2006)

Waterways

1,200 km; (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2008)

Manpower available for military service

7,056,339 6,653,419 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

6,653,419 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

7,056,339

Manpower fit for military service

4,050,222 3,797,087 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,797,087 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

4,050,222

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

392,116 370,295 (2010 est.)

female

370,295 (2010 est.)

male

392,116

Military branches

Afghan Armed Forces: Afghan National Army (ANA, includes Afghan Air Force (AAF)) (2011)

Afghan Armed Forces

Afghan National Army (ANA, includes Afghan Air Force (AAF)) (2011)

Military expenditures

1.9% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

22 years of age; inductees are contracted into service for a 4-year term (2005)

Disputes - international

Afghan, Coalition, and Pakistan military meet periodically to clarify the alignment of the boundary on the ground and on maps; Afghan and Iranian commissioners have discussed boundary monument densification and resurvey; Iran protests Afghanistan's restricting flow of dammed Helmand River tributaries during drought; Pakistan has sent troops across and built fences along some remote tribal areas of its treaty-defined Durand Line border with Afghanistan which serve as bases for foreign terrorists and other illegal activities; Russia remains concerned about the smuggling of poppy derivatives from Afghanistan through Central Asian countries

Illicit drugs

world's largest producer of opium; while poppy cultivation was relatively stable at 119,000 hectares in 2010, a poppy blight affecting the high cultivation areas in 2010 reduced potential opium production to 3,200 metric tons, down over 40 percent from 2009; the Taliban and other antigovernment groups participate in and profit from the opiate trade, which is a key source of revenue for the Taliban inside Afghanistan; widespread corruption and instability impede counterdrug efforts; most of the heroin consumed in Europe and Eurasia is derived from Afghan opium; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; regional source of hashish (2011)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

132,246 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2007)

IDPs

132,246 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in south and west due to drought and instability) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

Afghanistan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Afghan boys and girls are trafficked within the country, in forced prostitution, in forced labor in carpet-making factories, and in forced domestic service; forced begging is a growing problem in Afghanistan; Afghan boys are subjected to forced prostitution and forced labor in the drug smuggling industry in Pakistan and Iran; Afghan women and girls are subjected to forced prostitution and forced marriages; women and girls from Iran, Tajikistan, and possibly Uganda and China are reportedly forced into prostitution in Afghanistan Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Afghanistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite these efforts, the government did not show evidence of increased efforts to address human trafficking over the previous year; the Afghan government did not prosecute or convict trafficking offenders under its 2008 law, and it punished victims of sex trafficking with imprisonment for adultery or prostitution (2011)

current situation

Afghanistan is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women, and children subjected to forced labor and sex trafficking; Afghan boys and girls are trafficked within the country, in forced prostitution, in forced labor in carpet-making factories, and in forced domestic service; forced begging is a growing problem in Afghanistan; Afghan boys are subjected to forced prostitution and forced labor in the drug smuggling industry in Pakistan and Iran; Afghan women and girls are subjected to forced prostitution and forced marriages; women and girls from Iran, Tajikistan, and possibly Uganda and China are reportedly forced into prostitution in Afghanistan

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - the Government of Afghanistan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so; despite these efforts, the government did not show evidence of increased efforts to address human trafficking over the previous year; the Afghan government did not prosecute or convict trafficking offenders under its 2008 law, and it punished victims of sex trafficking with imprisonment for adultery or prostitution (2011)