Ariana Afghan Airlines (operated by Eagle Aviation) A310-300 F-…
The historic mausoleum of Imam Ali aka Blue Mosque in Mazar-e S…
Afghanistan view 3
Afghanistan view 4
Belt from Tillia Tepe, with depictions of Dyonisus riding a lio…
Map of Afghanistan

Afghanistan

N/A
Climate
AFN
Currency
Caution
Safety
Low
Cost of Living
Dari
Language
Country Information Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in Central Asia, strategically positioned at the crossroads of South and Central Asian geopolitical regions. Characterized by rugged mountainous terrain, the country is dominated by the Hindu Kush mountain...

Cost of Living
vs EU Average53% cheaper
Rent
AFN7,750Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Meal
AFN175Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Groceries
AFN45.00Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Transport
AFN20.00One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide

Your Afghanistan Roadmap

40+ page relocation analysis tailored to your profile.

  • Custom Tax & Cost Projection
  • District Matching for your Lifestyle
  • Vetted Local Partner Directory

With a safety index of 26/100, Afghanistan offers below average safety conditions for expats and their families.

Entry Requirements & Visa Options

All foreign nationals, including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and most other countries, require an advance visa to enter Afghanistan. There is no visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival option available, and visas must be obtained from Taliban-recognized Afghan embassies or consulates prior to travel.[1][2][4] Reliable locations include Dubai (UAE), Islamabad and Peshawar (Pakistan), Doha (Qatar), Istanbul (Turkey), and Tehran (Iran). Visas from former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan embassies are no longer valid following the Taliban takeover in...

Tourist visa: up to 30 days
Read full guide

Discover Cities in Afghanistan

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Location Intelligence for Afghanistan
Cost of Living22.2

53% below EU avg

Safety25.5

61% below EU avg

Purchasing Power40.7

42% below EU avg

Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.

Capital

Kabul

Timezone

UTC+04:30

Area

652,230 km²

Population

40,218,234

Afghanistan shows a purchasing power index of 41/100, indicating moderate economic conditions for expats.

Economic Overview in Afghanistan

GDP

$20.50B

HDI

0.5

Quality of Life

N/A

NYC baseline: 43

Purchasing Power

17/100

-25 vs NYC

Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Afghanistan. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.

Comparison data legendCompare:
Afghanistan
Continent Avg

Cost of Living Index

Very High

Very affordable with CPI of 21.4 (NYC=100). Groceries index 18.4 and restaurant prices 15.1 are among the lowest globally, making daily expenses minimal.

Housing Market

Moderate

Property prices average 9.1 years of household income. Rent index of 2.3 is extremely low, but property affordability remains moderate due to income constraints.

Average Income Levels

Very Poor

Purchasing power index of 41.4 indicates very low income levels. GDP per capita of $413.8 (2023) reflects severe economic constraints and limited earning capacity.

Tax System

Poor

Limited tax infrastructure under Islamic Emirate governance. Income tax exists but enforcement is inconsistent; VAT and property taxes are underdeveloped with unclear rates and administration.

Business Environment

Very Poor

Severe constraints including international sanctions, banking sector challenges, and regulatory uncertainty. Limited foreign investment, weak rule of law, and political instability severely hamper business operations.

Social Security

Very Poor

Minimal social safety net with fragmented healthcare and no formal pension system. 33% of population faces humanitarian needs; social programs are inadequate and heavily dependent on international aid.

Work & Business in Afghanistan
Business ClimateSee full guide for details
Work PermitsRequirements vary by nationality
Key IndustriesExplore opportunities
Read full guide
Education SystemInternational schools, universities & curricula
Explore Guide
Climate

Afghanistan features an arid continental climate dominated by mid-latitude steppe conditions (Köppen BSk), with extreme temperature variations and low precipitation across most regions. Winters are cold, especially in highlands and mountains, while summers are intensely hot in lowlands and deserts.

Climate
Steppe, Desert
Summer
25–38°C
Winter
-10–10°C
Sunshine
3400+ hrs/yr

5 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details

Read full guide
Demographics in Afghanistan

Life Expectancy

63.7

Population

40,218,234

Religions

Islam
99.7%

Ethnic Composition

Pashtun
42%
Tajik
27%
Hazara
9%
Uzbek
9%
Aimaq
4%
What Expats Say About AfghanistanBETA

Research in Progress

We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Afghanistan. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!

We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.

Transportation & Infrastructure in Afghanistan
Public TransitAvailable in major cities
AirportsInternational connectivity
InfrastructureRoad & rail networks
Read full guide
Social Integration in Afghanistan
Expat CommunityActive communities available
Cultural IntegrationTips & resources
Language BarrierSee guide for details
Read full guide
Retirement & Benefits in Afghanistan
Retirement VisaCheck eligibility
Healthcare AccessPublic & private options
Pension RecognitionSee guide for details
Read full guide
Political Landscape & Stability

Afghanistan is governed by the Taliban as an Islamic Emirate under Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada, who has centralized power through parallel institutions while marginalizing pragmatist voices within the regime. The government faces severe economic challenges with over 90% of the population in poverty, while maintaining firm control despite international isolation and intensifying restrictions on human rights, particularly affecting women and girls.

System
Islamic Emirate
Stability
Weak
Legal System
Islamic law
Read full guide
Environment & Sustainability in Afghanistan
Air QualitySee detailed assessment
Green SpacesParks & nature areas
SustainabilityEnvironmental policies
Read full guide
Afghanistan flag
Afghanistan at a Glance

Capital

Kabul

Languages

Dari, Pashto, Turkmen

UN Member

Yes

Quick Facts for Afghanistan

Population

40,218,234

Currency

AFN

Timezone

UTC+04:30

Calling Code

+93

Week starts on

Monday

Gini Coefficient

N/A

Traffic side

right side

Location

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.