Urban Population: Afghanistan
Afghanistan's urban population is currently 25.7% as of 2024. # Afghanistan Urban Population Afghanistan's urban population reached 25.
Current (2024)
25.7%
+0.9% y/y
Peak (2024)
25.7%
Low (1960)
8.1%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Afghanistan
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Afghanistan
Analysis# Afghanistan Urban Population
Afghanistan's urban population reached 25.701% in 2024, marking the highest level in recorded history. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 8.123% of the population lived in urban areas—a cumulative increase of 216.4% over six decades. Despite this substantial growth, Afghanistan remains predominantly rural, with three-quarters of its population still residing outside cities.
The period from 2015 to 2024 reveals consistent upward momentum, with urban population share climbing from 24.465% to 25.701%. The trajectory accelerated notably after 2020, suggesting intensifying rural-to-urban migration patterns. If current trends persist, Afghanistan's urbanization will likely continue its gradual expansion, though the country's infrastructure and economic conditions will significantly influence the pace and sustainability of this shift.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25.7% | +0.90% |
| 2023 | 25.5% | +0.31% |
| 2022 | 25.4% | +0.18% |
| 2021 | 25.3% | +0.34% |
| 2020 | 25.3% | +0.47% |
| 2019 | 25.1% | +0.58% |
| 2018 | 25.0% | +0.66% |
| 2017 | 24.8% | +0.71% |
| 2016 | 24.7% | +0.79% |
| 2015 | 24.5% | +1.13% |
| 2014 | 24.2% | +1.61% |
| 2013 | 23.8% | +1.99% |
| 2012 | 23.3% | +2.29% |
| 2011 | 22.8% | +2.52% |
| 2010 | 22.3% | +2.64% |
| 2009 | 21.7% | +2.67% |
| 2008 | 21.1% | +2.59% |
| 2007 | 20.6% | +2.39% |
| 2006 | 20.1% | +2.05% |
| 2005 | 19.7% | +1.58% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 19.4% | +1.25% |
| 2003 | 19.2% | +1.16% |
| 2002 | 18.9% | +1.07% |
| 2001 | 18.7% | +0.99% |
| 2000 | 18.6% | +0.91% |
| 1999 | 18.4% | +0.84% |
| 1998 | 18.2% | +0.79% |
| 1997 | 18.1% | +0.74% |
| 1996 | 18.0% | +0.71% |
| 1995 | 17.8% | +0.67% |
| 1994 | 17.7% | +0.65% |
| 1993 | 17.6% | +0.64% |
| 1992 | 17.5% | +0.64% |
| 1991 | 17.4% | +0.65% |
| 1990 | 17.3% | +0.67% |
| 1989 | 17.1% | +0.71% |
| 1988 | 17.0% | +0.75% |
| 1987 | 16.9% | +0.81% |
| 1986 | 16.8% | +0.88% |
| 1985 | 16.6% | +0.95% |
| 1984 | 16.5% | +1.04% |
| 1983 | 16.3% | +1.16% |
| 1982 | 16.1% | +1.28% |
| 1981 | 15.9% | +1.42% |
| 1980 | 15.7% | +1.57% |
| 1979 | 15.4% | +2.02% |
| 1978 | 15.1% | +2.67% |
| 1977 | 14.7% | +3.22% |
| 1976 | 14.3% | +3.70% |
| 1975 | 13.8% | +4.05% |
| 1974 | 13.2% | +4.28% |
| 1973 | 12.7% | +4.36% |
| 1972 | 12.2% | +4.25% |
| 1971 | 11.7% | +3.88% |
| 1970 | 11.2% | +3.52% |
| 1969 | 10.8% | +3.34% |
| 1968 | 10.5% | +3.31% |
| 1967 | 10.2% | +3.27% |
| 1966 | 9.8% | +3.25% |
| 1965 | 9.5% | +3.23% |
| 1964 | 9.2% | +3.22% |
| 1963 | 8.9% | +3.23% |
| 1962 | 8.7% | +3.25% |
| 1961 | 8.4% | +3.29% |
| 1960 | 8.1% | — |
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