Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Urban and rural population projected to 2050 was 45.22 million people in 2050. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2050)
45.22 million people
Change on year
up 0.2%
World rank
16th
of 238 countries
All-time high
45.22 million people
in 2050
All-time low
1.75 million people
in 1300
Years of data
133
1000–2050
Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Afghanistan, 1000–2050
Source: HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
Afghanistan recorded 45.22 million people for urban and rural population projected to 2050 in 2050. That is the highest value across all 133 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.2% on the previous year and up 6.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Afghanistan peaked at 45.22 million people in 2050 and was at its lowest, 1.75 million people, in 1300.
That places Afghanistan 16th out of 238 countries with data for 2050, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 2.25 million people | — |
| 1100 | 2.37 million people | +5.6% |
| 1200 | 2.50 million people | +5.3% |
| 1300 | 1.75 million people | -30.0% |
| 1400 | 1.87 million people | +7.1% |
| 1500 | 2.00 million people | +6.7% |
| 1600 | 2.50 million people | +24.9% |
| 1700 | 2.50 million people | -0.1% |
| 1710 | 2.55 million people | +2.3% |
| 1720 | 2.61 million people | +2.2% |
| 1730 | 2.67 million people | +2.2% |
| 1740 | 2.73 million people | +2.2% |
| 1750 | 2.79 million people | +2.2% |
| 1760 | 2.85 million people | +2.2% |
| 1770 | 2.91 million people | +2.2% |
| 1780 | 2.97 million people | +2.2% |
| 1790 | 3.04 million people | +2.2% |
| 1800 | 3.10 million people | +2.2% |
| 1810 | 3.17 million people | +2.1% |
| 1820 | 3.24 million people | +2.1% |
| 1830 | 3.34 million people | +3.1% |
| 1840 | 3.52 million people | +5.4% |
| 1850 | 3.70 million people | +5.3% |
| 1860 | 3.90 million people | +5.3% |
| 1870 | 4.11 million people | +5.3% |
| 1880 | 4.39 million people | +6.8% |
| 1890 | 4.74 million people | +8.0% |
| 1900 | 5.11 million people | +7.9% |
| 1910 | 5.51 million people | +7.9% |
| 1920 | 5.97 million people | +8.3% |
| 1930 | 6.42 million people | +7.5% |
| 1940 | 6.85 million people | +6.8% |
| 1950 | 7.33 million people | +6.9% |
| 1951 | 7.41 million people | +1.2% |
| 1952 | 7.50 million people | +1.2% |
| 1953 | 7.58 million people | +1.1% |
| 1954 | 7.67 million people | +1.1% |
| 1955 | 7.76 million people | +1.2% |
| 1956 | 7.86 million people | +1.3% |
| 1957 | 7.96 million people | +1.3% |
| 1958 | 8.06 million people | +1.3% |
| 1959 | 8.17 million people | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 8.30 million people | +1.6% |
| 1961 | 8.44 million people | +1.7% |
| 1962 | 8.59 million people | +1.8% |
| 1963 | 8.75 million people | +1.8% |
| 1964 | 8.91 million people | +1.9% |
| 1965 | 9.08 million people | +1.9% |
| 1966 | 9.26 million people | +1.9% |
| 1967 | 9.44 million people | +2.0% |
| 1968 | 9.63 million people | +2.0% |
| 1969 | 9.82 million people | +2.0% |
| 1970 | 10.02 million people | +2.0% |
| 1971 | 10.22 million people | +2.0% |
| 1972 | 10.41 million people | +1.9% |
| 1973 | 10.61 million people | +1.9% |
| 1974 | 10.82 million people | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 11.01 million people | +1.8% |
| 1976 | 11.20 million people | +1.6% |
| 1977 | 11.37 million people | +1.6% |
| 1978 | 11.55 million people | +1.6% |
| 1979 | 11.55 million people | -0.0% |
| 1980 | 11.10 million people | -3.8% |
| 1981 | 10.04 million people | -9.6% |
| 1982 | 9.22 million people | -8.1% |
| 1983 | 9.14 million people | -0.9% |
| 1984 | 9.35 million people | +2.3% |
| 1985 | 9.53 million people | +1.9% |
| 1986 | 9.51 million people | -0.2% |
| 1987 | 9.46 million people | -0.4% |
| 1988 | 9.56 million people | +1.0% |
| 1989 | 9.84 million people | +2.9% |
| 1990 | 9.97 million people | +1.3% |
| 1991 | 10.11 million people | +1.5% |
| 1992 | 10.96 million people | +8.4% |
| 1993 | 12.31 million people | +12.4% |
| 1994 | 13.37 million people | +8.6% |
| 1995 | 14.02 million people | +4.9% |
| 1996 | 14.57 million people | +3.9% |
| 1997 | 15.11 million people | +3.7% |
| 1998 | 15.67 million people | +3.7% |
| 1999 | 16.23 million people | +3.6% |
| 2000 | 16.39 million people | +1.0% |
| 2001 | 16.48 million people | +0.5% |
| 2002 | 17.33 million people | +5.1% |
| 2003 | 18.38 million people | +6.1% |
| 2004 | 18.99 million people | +3.3% |
| 2005 | 19.60 million people | +3.2% |
| 2006 | 20.31 million people | +3.7% |
| 2007 | 20.57 million people | +1.3% |
| 2008 | 20.89 million people | +1.5% |
| 2009 | 21.51 million people | +3.0% |
| 2010 | 21.99 million people | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 22.65 million people | +3.0% |
| 2012 | 23.43 million people | +3.4% |
| 2013 | 24.09 million people | +2.9% |
| 2014 | 24.86 million people | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 25.55 million people | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 26.14 million people | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 26.83 million people | +2.6% |
| 2018 | 27.56 million people | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 28.34 million people | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 29.20 million people | +3.0% |
| 2021 | 29.86 million people | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 30.27 million people | +1.4% |
| 2023 | 30.89 million people | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 31.69 million people | +2.6% |
| 2025 | 32.47 million people | +2.5% |
| 2026 | 33.24 million people | +2.4% |
| 2027 | 34.00 million people | +2.3% |
| 2028 | 34.73 million people | +2.2% |
| 2029 | 35.47 million people | +2.1% |
| 2030 | 36.23 million people | +2.1% |
| 2031 | 36.98 million people | +2.1% |
| 2032 | 37.71 million people | +2.0% |
| 2033 | 38.40 million people | +1.9% |
| 2034 | 39.06 million people | +1.7% |
| 2035 | 39.66 million people | +1.6% |
| 2036 | 40.25 million people | +1.5% |
| 2037 | 40.82 million people | +1.4% |
| 2038 | 41.36 million people | +1.3% |
| 2039 | 41.88 million people | +1.3% |
| 2040 | 42.40 million people | +1.3% |
| 2041 | 42.88 million people | +1.1% |
| 2042 | 43.28 million people | +0.9% |
| 2043 | 43.63 million people | +0.8% |
| 2044 | 43.96 million people | +0.8% |
| 2045 | 44.25 million people | +0.6% |
| 2046 | 44.52 million people | +0.6% |
| 2047 | 44.75 million people | +0.5% |
| 2048 | 44.94 million people | +0.4% |
| 2049 | 45.11 million people | +0.4% |
| 2050 | 45.22 million people | +0.2% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 45.22 million people is above the median for low income countries, which is 16.82 million people, 2.7× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Afghanistan's 45.22 million people is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1.86 million people, 24.3× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Afghanistan changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1300 | -30.0% | 2.50 million people | 1.75 million people |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 2.25 million people | 2.25 million people | 2.25 million people | 1 |
| 1100s | 2.37 million people | 2.37 million people | 2.37 million people | 1 |
| 1200s | 2.50 million people | 2.50 million people | 2.50 million people | 1 |
| 1300s | 1.75 million people | 1.75 million people | 1.75 million people | 1 |
| 1400s | 1.87 million people | 1.87 million people | 1.87 million people | 1 |
| 1500s | 2.00 million people | 2.00 million people | 2.00 million people | 1 |
| 1600s | 2.50 million people | 2.50 million people | 2.50 million people | 1 |
| 1700s | 2.50 million people | 2.50 million people | 2.50 million people | 1 |
| 1710s | 2.55 million people | 2.55 million people | 2.55 million people | 1 |
| 1720s | 2.61 million people | 2.61 million people | 2.61 million people | 1 |
| 1730s | 2.67 million people | 2.67 million people | 2.67 million people | 1 |
| 1740s | 2.73 million people | 2.73 million people | 2.73 million people | 1 |
| 1750s | 2.79 million people | 2.79 million people | 2.79 million people | 1 |
| 1760s | 2.85 million people | 2.85 million people | 2.85 million people | 1 |
| 1770s | 2.91 million people | 2.91 million people | 2.91 million people | 1 |
| 1780s | 2.97 million people | 2.97 million people | 2.97 million people | 1 |
| 1790s | 3.04 million people | 3.04 million people | 3.04 million people | 1 |
| 1800s | 3.10 million people | 3.10 million people | 3.10 million people | 1 |
| 1810s | 3.17 million people | 3.17 million people | 3.17 million people | 1 |
| 1820s | 3.24 million people | 3.24 million people | 3.24 million people | 1 |
| 1830s | 3.34 million people | 3.34 million people | 3.34 million people | 1 |
| 1840s | 3.52 million people | 3.52 million people | 3.52 million people | 1 |
| 1850s | 3.70 million people | 3.70 million people | 3.70 million people | 1 |
| 1860s | 3.90 million people | 3.90 million people | 3.90 million people | 1 |
| 1870s | 4.11 million people | 4.11 million people | 4.11 million people | 1 |
| 1880s | 4.39 million people | 4.39 million people | 4.39 million people | 1 |
| 1890s | 4.74 million people | 4.74 million people | 4.74 million people | 1 |
| 1900s | 5.11 million people | 5.11 million people | 5.11 million people | 1 |
| 1910s | 5.51 million people | 5.51 million people | 5.51 million people | 1 |
| 1920s | 5.97 million people | 5.97 million people | 5.97 million people | 1 |
| 1930s | 6.42 million people | 6.42 million people | 6.42 million people | 1 |
| 1940s | 6.85 million people | 6.85 million people | 6.85 million people | 1 |
| 1950s | 7.73 million people | 7.33 million people | 8.17 million people | 10 |
| 1960s | 9.02 million people | 8.30 million people | 9.82 million people | 10 |
| 1970s | 10.88 million people | 10.02 million people | 11.55 million people | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.67 million people | 9.14 million people | 11.10 million people | 10 |
| 1990s | 13.23 million people | 9.97 million people | 16.23 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 19.05 million people | 16.39 million people | 21.51 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 25.14 million people | 21.99 million people | 28.34 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 32.18 million people | 29.20 million people | 35.47 million people | 10 |
| 2030s | 39.24 million people | 36.23 million people | 41.88 million people | 10 |
| 2040s | 43.97 million people | 42.40 million people | 45.11 million people | 10 |
| 2050s | 45.22 million people | 45.22 million people | 45.22 million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More population data for Afghanistan
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2115 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate 0.2412 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.4637 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.4% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 9.03 million people (2100)
- Population density 199.65 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.4% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.2522 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 2.39 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Afghanistan?
- Urban and rural population projected to 2050 in Afghanistan was 45.22 million people in 2050, according to HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban and rural population projected to 2050 recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 45.22 million people in 2050.
- What is the lowest urban and rural population projected to 2050 recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.75 million people in 1300.
- How does Afghanistan rank for urban and rural population projected to 2050?
- Afghanistan ranks 16th out of 238 countries with data for 2050.
- Is urban and rural population projected to 2050 rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2023); United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban and rural population projected to 2050. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 133 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Number of people living in rural areas, combining UN estimates and projections with modeled historical data.