Afghanistan’s Population Reaches 37.2M, Official Estimates Show

DID Press: Afghanistan’s population is estimated to have reached 37.2 million people in 2026, according to figures released by the General State Intelligence and Analysis (GSIA).

The latest estimates show that men make up 51 percent of the country’s population, while women account for 49 percent. Around 70 percent of Afghans, nearly 26 million people, live in rural areas, while 26 percent, or about 9.8 million people, reside in urban areas. Nomadic communities make up the remaining 4 percent, estimated at around 1.5 million people.

According to the data, Kabul remains Afghanistan’s most populous province with an estimated population of 6.4 million, including 3.3 million men and 3.1 million women. Herat ranks second with around 2.4 million residents, including approximately 1.23 million men and 1.2 million women.

The General State Intelligence and Analysis Administration released the figures on the occasion of World Population Day.

Last year, the agency estimated Afghanistan’s population at 36.4 million. The latest figures indicate that the country’s population increased by around 800,000 people over one year, representing a growth rate of 2.2 percent.