2012 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, 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 (2003)

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

43.2% (male 6,671,683/ female 6,460,034) 54.4% (male 8,414,716/ female 8,121,616) 2.5% (male 350,692/ female 401,187) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

43.2% (male 6,671,683/ female 6,460,034)

15-64 years

54.4% (male 8,414,716/ female 8,121,616)

65 years and over

2.5% (male 350,692/ female 401,187) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

39.3 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

32.9% (2004)

Death rate

14.59 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 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

121.63 deaths/1,000 live births 129.51 deaths/1,000 live births 113.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

113.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

121.63 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, but Dari functions as the lingua franca the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashai, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them

Life expectancy at birth

49.72 years 48.45 years 51.05 years (2012 est.)

female

51.05 years (2012 est.)

total population

49.72 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

460 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

17.9 years 17.8 years 17.9 years (2012 est.)

female

17.9 years (2012 est.)

male

17.8 years

total

17.9 years

Nationality

Afghan(s) Afghan

adjective

Afghan

noun

Afghan(s)

Net migration rate

-2.51 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.21 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population

30,419,928 (July 2012 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

2.22% (2012 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

rural

70% of population

total

63% of population

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 1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.87 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

1.04 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.87 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

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

under 15 years

1.03 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.64 children born/woman (2012 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 Jamhuri-ye Islami-ye Afghanistan Afghanistan Republic of Afghanistan

conventional long form

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

conventional short form

Afghanistan

former

Republic of Afghanistan

local long form

Jamhuri-ye Islami-ye Afghanistan

local short form

Afghanistan

Diplomatic representation from the US

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

chief of mission

Ambassador James B. CUNNINGHAM

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

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Stera Mahkama; consists of 9 judges justices appointed by the president with the endorsement of the Wolesi Jirga; justices serve non-renewable 10-year terms Cassation and sharia

highest courts

Supreme Court or Stera Mahkama; consists of 9 judges

judge selection & term of office

justices appointed by the president with the endorsement of the Wolesi Jirga; justices serve non-renewable 10-year terms

subordinate courts

Cassation and sharia

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, two-thirds of members elected from provincial councils for 4-year terms, and one-third nominated by the president for 5-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; composition 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; composition 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

note - the Ministry of Justice licensed 84 political parties as of December 2012

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

$2.243 billion $3.963 billion Afghanistan received $15.7 billion in 2010/2011 (2012 est.)

expenditures

$3.963 billion

revenues

$2.243 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-8.7% of GDP (2011 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15.03% (31 December 2011 est.) 15.69% (31 December 2010 est.)

Current account balance

-$743.9 million (2011 est.) -$736 million (2010 est.)

Debt - external

$1.28 billion (FY10/11) $2.7 billion (FY08/09)

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. Much of the population continues to suffer from shortages of housing, clean water, electricity, medical care, and jobs. Criminality, insecurity, weak governance, lack of infrastructure, and the Afghan Government's difficulty in extending 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. The international community remains committed to Afghanistan's development, pledging over $67 billion at nine donors' conferences between 2003-10. In July 2012, the donors at the Tokyo conference pledged an additional $16 billion in civilian aid through 2016. Despite this help, 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.

Exchange rates

afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 51 (2012 est.) 46.75 (2011 est.) 46.45 (2010)

Exports

$376 million (2012 est.) $388 million (2011 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 48%, India 19%, Russia 9%, Iran 5% (FY11/12 est.)

Fiscal year

21 December - 20 December

GDP - composition by sector

20% 25.6% 54.4% data exclude opium production (2011 est.)

agriculture

20%

industry

25.6%

services

54.4%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,000 (2012 est.) $1,000 (2011 est.) $900 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

11% (2012 est.) 5.8% (2011 est.) 8.4% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.85 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$33.55 billion (2012 est.) $30.22 billion (2011 est.) $28.57 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.8% 24% (2008)

highest 10%

24% (2008)

lowest 10%

3.8%

Imports

$6.39 billion (2012 est.) $5.154 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Pakistan 13.7%, Russia 12.6%, Uzbekistan 11.5%, Iran 9.1% (FY11/12 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

13.8% (2011 est.) 0.9% (2010 est.)

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

Population below poverty line

36% (FY08/09)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$5.268 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $4.174 billion (2010 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.351 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $5.671 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

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

Stock of narrow money

$5.928 billion (31 December 2011 est.) $5.307 billion (31 December 2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

11.3% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

790,200 Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

1,950 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

87 million bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

2.226 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

23.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

76.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

1.377 billion kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

489,100 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

913.1 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

30 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

30 million cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

4,229 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,193 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 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 150 private radio stations, 50 TV stations, and about a dozen international broadcasters are available (2007)

Communications - note

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

Internet country code

.af

Internet hosts

223 (2012)

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; the Afghan Ministry of Communications and Information claims that more than 90 percent of the population live in areas with access to mobile-cellular services country code - 93; multiple VSAT's provide international and domestic voice and data connectivity (2012)

domestic

aided by the presence of multiple providers, mobile-cellular telephone service continues to improve rapidly; the Afghan Ministry of Communications and Information claims that more than 90 percent of the population live in areas with access to mobile-cellular services

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 (2012)

Telephones - main lines in use

13,500 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

17.558 million (2011)

Airports

52 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

3 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

10

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

4

total

23

under 914 m

3 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways

6 (2012)

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

5

914 to 1,523 m

6

total

29

under 914 m

6 (2012)

Heliports

10 (2012)

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) (2011)

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 (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

2,972 (Pakistan) (2011) 481,877 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in the south and west due to drought and instability) (2012)

IDPs

481,877 (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in the south and west due to drought and instability) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

2,972 (Pakistan) (2011)