Internet Users: Afghanistan

Analysis# Afghanistan Internet Users Afghanistan's internet penetration stands at 16.095% of the population in 2024, representing a dramatic expansion from negligible access in 1990. The country peaked at 17.6% in 2019, meaning current penetration remains just 0.5 percentage points below its historical high. From essentially zero internet users three decades ago, Afghanistan has achieved one of the most rapid digital transformations globally, though coverage remains among the lowest in Asia. Growth accelerated sharply between 2015 and 2019, when internet users nearly doubled from 8.26% to 17.6%. Since the 2019 peak, penetration has declined modestly, dropping to 15.928% by 2023 before recovering slightly to 16.095% in 2024. This plateau suggests Afghanistan faces infrastructure or socioeconomic constraints limiting further expansion, despite the significant foundation built over the past decade.