2017 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 countercoup. 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 mujahidin 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 Usama BIN LADIN. A 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 reelected in August 2009 for a second term. The 2014 presidential election was the country's first to include a runoff, which featured the top two vote-getters from the first round, Abdullah ABDULLAH and Ashraf GHANI. Throughout the summer of 2014, their campaigns disputed the results and traded accusations of fraud, leading to a US-led diplomatic intervention that included a full vote audit as well as political negotiations between the two camps. In September 2014, GHANI and ABDULLAH agreed to form the Government of National Unity, with GHANI inaugurated as president and ABDULLAH elevated to the newly-created position of chief executive officer. The day after the inauguration, the GHANI administration signed the US-Afghan Bilateral Security Agreement and NATO Status of Forces Agreement, which provide the legal basis for the post-2014 international military presence in Afghanistan. Despite gains toward building a stable central government, the Taliban remains a serious challenge for the Afghan Government in almost every province. The Taliban still considers itself the rightful government of Afghanistan, and it remains a capable and confident insurgent force despite its last two spiritual leaders being killed; it continues to declare that it will pursue a peace deal with Kabul only after foreign military forces depart.

Area

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

land

652,230 sq km

total

652,230 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

almost six times the size of Virginia; slightly smaller than Texas

Climate

arid to semiarid; cold winters and hot summers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

1,884 m lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m highest point: Noshak 7,492 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Amu Darya 258 m

highest point

Noshak 7,492 m

mean elevation

1,884 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

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

32,080 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

5,987 km China 91 km, Iran 921 km, Pakistan 2,670 km, Tajikistan 1,357 km, Turkmenistan 804 km, Uzbekistan 144 km

border countries (6)

China 91 km, Iran 921 km, Pakistan 2,670 km, Tajikistan 1,357 km, Turkmenistan 804 km, Uzbekistan 144 km

total

5,987 km

Land use

58.07% arable land 20.5%; permanent crops 0.37%; permanent pasture 79% 2.07% 39.86% (2014 est.)

agricultural land

58.07%

forest

2.07%

other

39.86% (2014 est.)

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, arable land

Population - distribution

populations tend to cluster in the foothills and periphery of the rugged Hindu Kush range; smaller groups are found in many of the country's interior valleys; in general, the east is more densely settled while the south is sparsely populated

Terrain

mostly rugged mountains; plains in north and southwest

Age structure

40.92% (male 7,093,980/female 6,869,737) 22.22% (male 3,859,696/female 3,723,679) 30.35% (male 5,273,969/female 5,082,972) 3.92% (male 659,635/female 678,942) 2.59% (male 407,437/female 474,764) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

40.92% (male 7,093,980/female 6,869,737)

15-24 years

22.22% (male 3,859,696/female 3,723,679)

25-54 years

30.35% (male 5,273,969/female 5,082,972)

55-64 years

3.92% (male 659,635/female 678,942)

65 years and over

2.59% (male 407,437/female 474,764) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

37.9 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

25% (2013)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

22.5% (2015/16)

Death rate

13.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

88.8 84.1 4.7 21.2 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

4.7

potential support ratio

21.2 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

88.8

youth dependency ratio

84.1

Drinking water source

urban: 78.2% of population rural: 47% of population total: 55.3% of population urban: 21.8% of population rural: 53% of population total: 44.7% of population (2015 est.)

rural

53% of population

total

44.7% of population (2015 est.)

urban

21.8% of population

Education expenditures

3.4% of GDP (2015)

Ethnic groups

Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, other (includes smaller numbers of Baloch, Turkmen, Nuristani, Pamiri, Arab, Gujar, Brahui, Qizilbash, Aimaq, Pashai, and Kyrghyz) current statistical data on the sensitive subject of ethnicity in Afghanistan are not available, and ethnicity data from small samples of respondents to opinion polls are not a reliable alternative; Afghanistan's 2004 constitution recognizes 14 ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Baloch, Turkmen, Nuristani, Pamiri, Arab, Gujar, Brahui, Qizilbash, Aimaq, and Pashai (2015)

note

current statistical data on the sensitive subject of ethnicity in Afghanistan are not available, and ethnicity data from small samples of respondents to opinion polls are not a reliable alternative; Afghanistan's 2004 constitution recognizes 14 ethnic groups: Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Baloch, Turkmen, Nuristani, Pamiri, Arab, Gujar, Brahui, Qizilbash, Aimaq, and Pashai (2015)

Health expenditures

8.2% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

7,500 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2012)

Infant mortality rate

110.6 deaths/1,000 live births 118 deaths/1,000 live births 102.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

102.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

118 deaths/1,000 live births

total

110.6 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

note

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

51.7 years 50.3 years 53.2 years (2017 est.)

female

53.2 years (2017 est.)

male

50.3 years

total population

51.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 38.2% 52% 24.2% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

24.2% (2015 est.)

male

52%

total population

38.2%

Major infectious diseases

intermediate bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria (2016)

degree of risk

intermediate

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria (2016)

Major urban areas - population

KABUL (capital) 4.635 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

396 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

18.8 years 18.8 years 18.9 years (2017 est.)

female

18.9 years (2017 est.)

male

18.8 years

total

18.8 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

19.9 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2015 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2015 est.)

Nationality

Afghan(s) Afghan

adjective

Afghan

noun

Afghan(s)

Net migration rate

-0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.5% (2016)

Physicians density

0.3 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

34,124,811 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

populations tend to cluster in the foothills and periphery of the rugged Hindu Kush range; smaller groups are found in many of the country's interior valleys; in general, the east is more densely settled while the south is sparsely populated

Population growth rate

2.36% (2017 est.)

Religions

Muslim 99.7% (Sunni 84.7 - 89.7%, Shia 10 - 15%), other 0.3% (2009 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 45.1% of population rural: 27% of population total: 31.9% of population urban: 54.9% of population rural: 73% of population total: 68.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

73% of population

total

68.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

54.9% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 13 years 8 years (2014)

female

8 years (2014)

male

13 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.04 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.86 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.03 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.12 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Urbanization

27.6% of total population (2017) 3.77% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

3.77% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

27.6% of total population (2017)

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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must have been born in - and continuously lived in - Afghanistan no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must have been born in - and continuously lived in - Afghanistan

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest drafted 14 December 2003 - 4 January 2004, signed 16 January 2004, ratified 26 January 2004 proposed by a commission formed by presidential decree followed by the convention of a Grand Council (Loya Jirga) decreed by the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Loya Jirga membership and endorsement by the president (2017)

amendments

proposed by a commission formed by presidential decree followed by the convention of a Grand Council (Loya Jirga) decreed by the president; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote of the Loya Jirga membership and endorsement by the president (2017)

history

several previous; latest 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 the name "Afghan" originally referred to the Pashtun people (today it is understood to include all the country's ethnic groups), while the suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country"; so Afghanistan literally means the "Land of the Afghans"

conventional long form

Islamic Republic of Afghanistan

conventional short form

Afghanistan

etymology

the name "Afghan" originally referred to the Pashtun people (today it is understood to include all the country's ethnic groups), while the suffix "-stan" means "place of" or "country"; so Afghanistan literally means the "Land of the Afghans"

former

Republic of Afghanistan

local long form

Jamhuri-ye Islami-ye Afghanistan

local short form

Afghanistan

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Special Charge d'Affaires Hugo LLORENS (since December 2016) Bibi Mahru, Kabul U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806 [00 93] 0700 108 001 [00 93] 0700 108 564

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Special Charge d'Affaires Hugo LLORENS (since December 2016)

embassy

Bibi Mahru, Kabul

FAX

[00 93] 0700 108 564

mailing address

U.S. Embassy Kabul, APO, AE 09806

telephone

[00 93] 0700 108 001

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Hamdullah MOHIB (since 17 September 2015) 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-6410 [1] (202) 483-6488 Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC

chancery

2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hamdullah MOHIB (since 17 September 2015)

consulate(s) general

Los Angeles, New York, Washington, DC

FAX

[1] (202) 483-6488

telephone

[1] (202) 483-6410

Executive branch

President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai (since 29 September 2014); CEO Abdullah ABDULLAH (since 29 September 2014); First Vice President Abdul Rashid DOSTAM (since 29 September 2014); Second Vice President Sarwar DANESH (since 29 September 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai (since 29 September 2014 ); CEO Abdullah ABDULLAH (since 29 September 2014); First Vice President Abdul Rashid DOSTAM (since 29 September 2014); Second Vice President Sarwar DANESH (since 29 September 2014) Cabinet consists of 26 ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held in 2 rounds on 5 April and 14 June 2014 (next to be held in 2018) percent of vote in first round - Abdullah ABDULLAH (National Coalition of Afghanistan) 45%, Ashraf GHANI (independent) 31.6%, Zalmai RASSOUL 11.4%, other 12%; percent of vote in second round - Ashraf GHANI 56.4%, Abdullah ABDULLAH 43.6%

cabinet

Cabinet consists of 26 ministers appointed by the president, approved by the National Assembly

chief of state

President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai (since 29 September 2014); CEO Abdullah ABDULLAH (since 29 September 2014); First Vice President Abdul Rashid DOSTAM (since 29 September 2014); Second Vice President Sarwar DANESH (since 29 September 2014); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

percent of vote in first round - Abdullah ABDULLAH (National Coalition of Afghanistan) 45%, Ashraf GHANI (independent) 31.6%, Zalmai RASSOUL 11.4%, other 12%; percent of vote in second round - Ashraf GHANI 56.4%, Abdullah ABDULLAH 43.6%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held in 2 rounds on 5 April and 14 June 2014 (next to be held in 2018)

head of government

President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai (since 29 September 2014 ); CEO Abdullah ABDULLAH (since 29 September 2014); First Vice President Abdul Rashid DOSTAM (since 29 September 2014); Second Vice President Sarwar DANESH (since 29 September 2014)

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 2 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 - 19 by one count - than any other country; the colors black, red, and green appeared on most of them

note

Afghanistan had more changes to its national flag in the 20th century - 19 by one count - than any other country; the colors black, red, and green appeared on most of them

Government type

presidential 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), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE (partner), SAARC, SACEP, SCO (dialogue member), UN, UNAMA, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Stera Mahkama (consists of the supreme court chief and 8 justices organized into criminal, public security, civil, and commercial divisions or dewans) court chief and justices appointed by the president with the approval of the Wolesi Jirga; court chief and justices serve single 10-year terms Appeals Courts; Primary Courts; Special Courts for issues including narcotics, security, property, family, and juveniles

highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Stera Mahkama (consists of the supreme court chief and 8 justices organized into criminal, public security, civil, and commercial divisions or dewans)

judge selection and term of office

court chief and justices appointed by the president with the approval of the Wolesi Jirga; court chief and justices serve single 10-year terms

subordinate courts

Appeals Courts; Primary Courts; Special Courts for issues including narcotics, security, property, family, and juveniles

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic law

Legislative branch

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats; 34 members indirectly elected by district councils to serve 3-year terms, 34 indirectly elected by provincial councils to serve 4-year terms, and 34 nominated by the president of which 17 must be women, 2 must represent the disabled, and 2 must be Kuchi nomads; members serve 5-year terms) and the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (249 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms) the constitution allows the government to convene a constitutional 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 consists of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils; no constitutional Loya Jirga has ever been held, and district councils have never been elected; the president appointed 34 members of the Meshrano Jirga that the district councils should have indirectly elected Meshrano Jirga - last held 10 January 2015 (next to be held in 2018); Wolesi Jirga - last held on 18 September 2010 (next originally scheduled on 15 October 2016 but postponed to 7 July 2018) Meshrano Jirga - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Meshrano Jirga - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - NA

description

bicameral National Assembly consists of the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats; 34 members indirectly elected by district councils to serve 3-year terms, 34 indirectly elected by provincial councils to serve 4-year terms, and 34 nominated by the president of which 17 must be women, 2 must represent the disabled, and 2 must be Kuchi nomads; members serve 5-year terms) and the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (249 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)

election results

Meshrano Jirga - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Meshrano Jirga - percent of vote by party NA; seats by party - NA

elections

Meshrano Jirga - last held 10 January 2015 (next to be held in 2018); Wolesi Jirga - last held on 18 September 2010 (next originally scheduled on 15 October 2016 but postponed to 7 July 2018)

note

the constitution allows the government to convene a constitutional 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 consists of members of the National Assembly and chairpersons of the provincial and district councils; no constitutional Loya Jirga has ever been held, and district councils have never been elected; the president appointed 34 members of the Meshrano Jirga that the district councils should have indirectly elected

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 Greatest) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups

lyrics/music

Abdul Bari JAHANI/Babrak WASA

name

"Milli Surood" (National Anthem)

note

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 Greatest) and mentioning the names of Afghanistan's ethnic groups

National holiday

Independence Day, 19 August (1919)

National symbol(s)

lion; national colors: red, green, black

lion; national colors

red, green, black

Political parties and leaders

note - the Ministry of Justice licensed 57 political parties as of September 2016

Political pressure groups and leaders

religious groups, tribal leaders, ethnically based groups, Taliban

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$1.992 billion $6.636 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$6.636 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$1.992 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-24.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

15% (31 December 2016 est.) 15% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$1.372 billion (2016 est.) $-4.721 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

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

Economy - overview

Afghanistan is gradually recovering from decades of conflict. Before 2014, the economy had sustained nearly a decade of strong growth, largely because of international assistance. Since 2014, however, the economy has slowed, in large part because of the withdrawal of nearly 100,000 foreign troops that had artificially inflated the country’s economic growth. Despite improvements in life expectancy, incomes, and literacy since 2001, 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. Corruption, 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 $83 billion at ten donors' conferences between 2003 and 2016. In October 2016, the donors at the Brussels conference pledged an additional $3.8 billion in development aid annually from 2017 to 2020. 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. In 2016 Afghanistan's growth rate was only marginally above that of 2014 and 2015. The drawdown of international security forces that started in 2012 has negatively affected economic growth, as a substantial portion of commerce, especially in the services sector, has catered to the ongoing international troop presence in the country. Afghan President Ashraf GHANI Ahmadzai is dedicated to instituting economic reforms to include improving revenue collection and fighting corruption. However, the reforms will take time to implement and Afghanistan will remain dependent on international donor support over the next several years.

Exchange rates

afghanis (AFA) per US dollar - 61.14 (2016 est.) 61.14 (2015 est.) 61.14 (2014 est.) 57.25 (2013 est.) 46.45 (2010)

Exports

$619.2 million (2016 est.) $580 million (2015 est.) not including illicit exports or reexports

note

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 46.3%, India 37.6% (2016)

Fiscal year

21 December - 20 December

GDP - composition, by end use

108.6% 12.8% 18.2% 0% 6.6% -46.2% (2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

6.6%

government consumption

12.8%

household consumption

108.6%

imports of goods and services

-46.2% (2014 est.)

investment in fixed capital

18.2%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

22% 22% 56% data exclude opium production (2015 est.)

agriculture

22%

industry

22%

note

data exclude opium production (2015 est.)

services

56%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2016 est.) $2,000 (2015 est.) $2,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.4% (2016 est.) 1.3% (2015 est.) 2.7% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.45 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$66.65 billion (2016 est.) $64.29 billion (2015 est.) $62.78 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

25.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 21.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 23.2% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.8% 24% (2008)

highest 10%

24% (2008)

lowest 10%

3.8%

Imports

$6.16 billion (2016 est.) $7.034 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Iran 19.3%, Pakistan 18.3%, China 16.7%, Kazakhstan 9.5%, Uzbekistan 6.1%, Turkmenistan 5.4%, Malaysia 4% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

2.4% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

4.4% (2016 est.) -2.9% (2015 est.)

Labor force

7.983 million (2013 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

35.8% (2011 est.)

Public debt

8.3% of GDP (2016 est.) 9.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$6.477 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $6.232 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$6.945 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $6.544 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$-240.6 million (31 December 2016 est.) $-70.18 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$6.644 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $6.192 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

10.5% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

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

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

7.4 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

4.741 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

44.7% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

55.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

3.779 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

599,100 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

1.034 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

18,999,254 43% 83% 32% (2012)

electrification - rural areas

32% (2012)

electrification - total population

43%

electrification - urban areas

83%

population without electricity

18,999,254

Natural gas - consumption

816 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

189 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

49.55 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

130,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

127,200 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 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)

Internet country code

.af

Internet users

3,531,770 10.6% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

10.6% (July 2016 est.)

total

3,531,770

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 (2016)

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 (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

114,192 less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

114,192

Telephones - mobile cellular

21,602,982 65 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

65 (July 2016 est.)

total

21,602,982

Airports

43 (2016)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

14

2,438 to 3,047 m

4

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

4

total

25

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

5 (2016)

1,524 to 2,437 m

8

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

4

total

18

under 914 m

5 (2016)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

YA (2016)

Heliports

9 (2013)

National air transport system

1,929,907 33,102,038 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

33,102,038 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

1,929,907

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

20

number of registered air carriers

4

Pipelines

gas 466 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Kheyrabad, Shir Khan

river port(s)

Kheyrabad, Shir Khan

Roadways

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

paved

12,350 km

total

42,150 km

unpaved

29,800 km (2006)

Waterways

1,200 km; (chiefly Amu Darya, which handles vessels up to 500 DWT) (2011)

Military branches

Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF): Afghan National Army (includes Afghan Air Force), Afghan National Police, Afghan Local Police (2016)

Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF)

Afghan National Army (includes Afghan Air Force), Afghan National Police, Afghan Local Police (2016)

Military expenditures

0.89% of GDP (2016) 0.99% of GDP (2015) 1.33% of GDP (2014) 1.06% of GDP (2013) 1.14% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2016)

Disputes - international

Afghan, Coalition, and Pakistan military meet periodically to clarify the alignment of the boundary on the ground and on maps and since 2014 have met to discuss collaboration on the Taliban insurgency and counterterrorism efforts; 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; poppy cultivation increased 10 percent, to 201,000 hectares in 2016, while eradication declined significantly; the 2016 crop yielded an estimated 4,800 mt of raw opium, a 43% increase over 2015; 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; Afghanistan is also struggling to respond to a burgeoning domestic opiate addiction problem; a 2015 national drug use survey found that roughly 11% of the population tested positive for one or more illicit drugs; vulnerable to drug money laundering through informal financial networks; illicit cultivation of cannabis and regional source of hashish

Refugees and internally displaced persons

59,737 (Pakistan) (2016) 1.553 million (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in the south and west due to natural disasters and political instability) (2016)

IDPs

1.553 million (mostly Pashtuns and Kuchis displaced in the south and west due to natural disasters and political instability) (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

59,737 (Pakistan) (2016)