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Afghanistan: poverty, inequality and aid
National poverty rate is 47.1% (2019), 22nd of 145 in the world and 1st of 10 in the Middle East & North Africa. Undernourishment is 27.8% (2024), 12th of 167 in the world and 2nd of 19 in the Middle East & North Africa. Food insecurity is 77.8% (2024), 9th of 155 in the world and 1st of 15 in the Middle East & North Africa.
Aid, poverty & equality: Afghanistan in detail
Latest reported value, world rank and rank within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan; values around 2000, 2010, 2020; group and world columns are World Bank aggregates.
| Indicator | Latest | World rank | In region | ~2000 | ~2010 | ~2020 | 10-year change | Region | Income group | World | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National poverty ratePoverty at national poverty lines, % of population | 47.1%2019 | 22/145 | 1/10 | · | 38.3%2011 | 47.1%2019 | +13.4 ppsince 2007 | — | — | — | |
| UndernourishmentPrevalence of undernourishment, % of population | 27.8%2024 | 12/167 | 2/19 | 45.8%2001 | 17.7% | 28.9% | +8.5 ppsince 2014 | 12.3% | 27.3% | 8.1% | |
| Food insecurityModerate or severe food insecurity, % of population | 77.8%2024 | 9/155 | 1/15 | · | · | 70.1% | — | 40.1% | 65.4% | 28.0% | |
| Account ownershipAccount ownership (bank or mobile money), % of adults | 9.7%2021 | 144/145 | 20/20 | · | 9.0%2011 | 9.7%2021 | +0.6 ppsince 2011 | 52.8% | 46.4% | 78.7% | |
| Women in parliamentSeats held by women in national parliament, % | 27.0%2021 | 89/190 | 3/22 | · | 27.7% | 27.0% | −0.7 ppsince 2011 | 16.9% | 24.8% | 27.2% | |
| Net ODA receivedNet official development assistance received, US$ | $3.1bn2023 | 10/145 | 5/16 | $136m | $6.1bn | $4.2bn | −41%since 2013 | $35.1bn | $44.6bn | $259bn | |
| ODA, % of GNINet ODA received, % of GNI | 17.8%2023 | 12/139 | 3/15 | 4.0% | 38.2% | 20.9% | −7.7 ppsince 2013 | 0.7% | 8.2% | 0.2% | |
| ODA per personNet ODA received per capita, US$ | $73.82023 | 66/145 | 8/16 | $6.8 | $215 | $108 | −55%since 2013 | $44.0 | $61.4 | $32.2 |
Better than ten years ago
- Account ownership+0.6 pp9.7% in 2021
Worse than ten years ago
- National poverty rate+13.4 pp47.1% in 2019
- Undernourishment+8.5 pp27.8% in 2024
- Women in parliament−0.7 pp27.0% in 2021
Only indicators where higher or lower is clearly better are rated (for example, unemployment down is better, life expectancy up is better).
Afghanistan and its neighbours
Countries sharing a land border with Afghanistan. Latest values since 2005; the highest in each row is marked.
| Indicator | Afghanistan | China | Pakistan | Iran | Uzbekistan | Tajikistan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National poverty rate | 47.1%2019 | 0.0%2020 | 28.9%2024 | — | 5.8%2025 | 19.8%2024 |
| Undernourishment | 27.8%2024 | 2.5%2024 | 16.1%2024 | 6.7%2024 | 2.5%2024 | 8.0%2024 |
| Food insecurity | 77.8%2024 | — | 22.9%2024 | 37.7%2024 | — | 24.0%2024 |
| Account ownership | 9.7%2021 | 89.4%2024 | 27.3%2024 | 91.1%2024 | 59.7%2024 | 54.5%2024 |
| Women in parliament | 27.0%2021 | 26.5%2025 | 17.0%2025 | 4.9%2025 | 38.0%2025 | 28.6%2025 |
| Net ODA received | $3.1bn2023 | −$267m2023 | $4.0bn2023 | $241m2023 | $1.2bn2023 | $531m2023 |
| ODA, % of GNI | 17.8%2023 | 0.0%2023 | 1.2%2023 | 0.1%2023 | 1.1%2023 | 3.5%2023 |
| ODA per person | $73.82023 | −$0.192023 | $16.02023 | $2.72023 | $33.72023 | $51.12023 |