Bangladesh vs Afghanistan
Population, economy and geography side by side
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Bangladesh has 3.9 times as many people as Afghanistan (178 million vs 45.0 million in 2026). Afghanistan is 5.0 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Bangladesh ($2,597 vs $417). People live longer on average in Bangladesh (74.9 vs 66.3 years).
| Bangladesh | Afghanistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 177,818,044 | 45,047,069 |
| Yearly population change | +1.21% | +2.74% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 215 million | 76.9 million |
| Land area | 130,170 km² | 652,230 km² |
| Density | 1,366/km² | 69/km² |
| GDP | $456 billion (2025) | $17.8 billion (2024) |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 (2025) | $417 (2024) |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 years | 66.3 years |
| Births per woman | 2.14 | 4.76 |
| Urban population | 33% | 26% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Kabul |
| Currency | Bangladeshi taka (BDT) | afghani (AFN) |
| Calling code | +880 | +93 |
Share of world population: Bangladesh 2.15%, Afghanistan 0.54%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Bangladesh or Afghanistan?
Bangladesh: about 178 million people versus 45.0 million in Afghanistan (2026).
Is Bangladesh bigger than Afghanistan?
By land area, Afghanistan is larger: 652,230 km² versus 130,170 km².
Which economy is bigger, Bangladesh or Afghanistan?
Bangladesh, with a GDP of $456 billion versus $17.8 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).