Afghanistan: health and care

What is life expectancy in Afghanistan?

Life expectancy at birth in Afghanistan was 66.3 years in 2024, according to World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

Life expectancy at birth is how long a newborn would live if the death rates of that year stayed the same through its life. It is an estimate built from UN population models, not a count of deaths. Deaths of infants and young children weigh heavily on the figure: the infant mortality rate was 48.3 per 1,000 live births in 2024.

Official sources: World Bank: life expectancy at birth, Afghanistan · World Bank: infant mortality rate, Afghanistan

What is the maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan's maternal mortality ratio was 521 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the UN modelled estimate on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

The ratio counts women who die from causes linked to pregnancy or childbirth for every 100,000 babies born alive. It is a modelled estimate from the UN inter-agency group, which combines surveys and other data; it is not a count from death registration. The Ministry of Public Health publishes news of its maternal and child health services.

Official sources: World Bank: maternal mortality ratio, Afghanistan · Ministry of Public Health

How many doctors are there in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan had 0.317 doctors per 1,000 people in 2023, according to World Health Organization data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026. That is about three doctors for every 10,000 people.

The figure counts medical doctors (generalists and specialists) in public and private practice. It does not include nurses, midwives or community health workers. No national count of doctors was found on the Ministry of Public Health site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: World Bank: physicians per 1,000 people, Afghanistan

How much does Afghanistan spend on health?

Current health spending in Afghanistan was 15.0% of GDP in 2023, according to World Health Organization data on World Bank Open Data, read on 15 October 2026.

Current health spending includes spending by the government, households, donors and others on health goods and services, but not on buildings and equipment. A high share of GDP can reflect a small economy and large donor and household spending, as well as public budgets. It does not show the level of service people receive.

Official sources: World Bank: current health expenditure, Afghanistan

How are hospitals in Afghanistan inspected?

The Ministry of Public Health says it evaluated 2,178 public and private health facilities in the year 1447 AH and assessed 40 private hospitals in Kabul for accreditation and grading, in its summary of the past year, published 26 September 2026.

The same summary says more than 5,000 medicines were assessed and 7,372 pharmacies, 811 importing companies, 743 wholesalers, 390 manufacturing factories and 3,380 food establishments were inspected. These are counts of the ministry's own activities, as it reports them, not measures of service quality.

Official sources: Ministry of Public Health: key activities over the past year

How long do people live in Afghanistan?

66.3 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Afghanistan for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 77.3 years; Afghanistan is 21st highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 160th of 193.

What is Afghanistan's infant mortality rate?

According to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, the infant mortality rate in Afghanistan was 48.3 per 1,000 in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 11.2 per 1,000, and Afghanistan placed 1st highest of 22. World rank, highest first: 13th of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Afghanistan?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Afghanistan was 521 per 100,000, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 18.5 per 100,000; Afghanistan is 1st highest of 22. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 7th highest.

What is Afghanistan's health spending?

According to the WHO, current health spending in Afghanistan was 15.0% of GDP in 2023. The peak was 23.1% of GDP in 2022 and the low 7.9% of GDP in 2012. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 5.6% of GDP, and Afghanistan placed 1st highest of 22. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 4th highest.

How much of health care in Afghanistan do patients pay for?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Afghanistan was 77.1%, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 72.0% (2013) to 79.0% (2010). It is 1st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 32.7%. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 4th highest.

How many doctors does Afghanistan have?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 0.32 per 1,000. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2006. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.0 per 1,000; Afghanistan is 6th highest of 7. World rank, highest first: 43rd of 58.

How many hospital beds does Afghanistan have?

In 2023, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Afghanistan was 0.35 per 1,000, according to the WHO. The peak was 0.46 per 1,000 in 2012 and the low 0.33 per 1,000 in 2020. It is 8th highest of 8 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 1.2 per 1,000. Worldwide: 73rd of 73.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Afghanistan?

WHO and UNICEF puts measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Afghanistan at 55.0% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 66.0%; its low point was 2005, at 50.0%. It is 21st highest of 22 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 96.0%. Worldwide: 181st of 191.