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By 2026, Afghanistan is projected to be home to 45,047,069 people. That is a 6-fold increase on the 7,776,176 recorded in 1950. It is growing at 2.71% a year, one of the faster rates globally, adding about 1.2M people a year. Population density sits at 69 people/km². Half the population is younger than 17.4 years, and the age structure is steadily tilting older: the median is projected to reach 23.0 by 2050. The sexes are close to evenly balanced, at 102 males per 100 females. By 2100, UN projections see it rising to 130,216,739, up 189% from 2026.
Total population
45,047,069
Density
69 people/km²
Median age
17.4 years
Growth rate
+2.71%
Afghanistan is experiencing rapid population growth, adding millions of people each year. In 2026, with a median age of 17, it is one of the world's youngest populations, though the median will rise to 23 by 2050. Looking ahead, UN projections show the population reaching 130.2M by 2100, more than double 2026's level.