Deaths in armed conflicts in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Deaths in armed conflicts was 780 deaths in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Deaths in armed conflicts in Afghanistan, 1989–2025
Source: Uppsala Conflict Data Program (2026); geoBoundaries (2023) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths.
Analysis
The most recent figure for deaths in armed conflicts in Afghanistan is 780 deaths, measured in 2025.
The figure is up 22.3% on the previous year and down 96.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, deaths in armed conflicts in Afghanistan peaked at 41,086 deaths in 2021 and was at its lowest, 634 deaths, in 2023.
Afghanistan ranks 21st of 196 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Deaths in armed conflicts in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | deaths | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 17,642 deaths | — |
| 1990 | 2,311 deaths | -86.9% |
| 1991 | 4,053 deaths | +75.4% |
| 1992 | 5,550 deaths | +36.9% |
| 1993 | 8,425 deaths | +51.8% |
| 1994 | 12,073 deaths | +43.3% |
| 1995 | 6,869 deaths | -43.1% |
| 1996 | 4,035 deaths | -41.3% |
| 1997 | 8,604 deaths | +113.2% |
| 1998 | 15,180 deaths | +76.4% |
| 1999 | 5,857 deaths | -61.4% |
| 2000 | 5,663 deaths | -3.3% |
| 2001 | 13,588 deaths | +139.9% |
| 2002 | 1,625 deaths | -88.0% |
| 2003 | 1,294 deaths | -20.4% |
| 2004 | 1,416 deaths | +9.4% |
| 2005 | 2,107 deaths | +48.8% |
| 2006 | 5,855 deaths | +177.9% |
| 2007 | 8,585 deaths | +46.6% |
| 2008 | 7,193 deaths | -16.2% |
| 2009 | 8,199 deaths | +14.0% |
| 2010 | 8,669 deaths | +5.7% |
| 2011 | 8,512 deaths | -1.8% |
| 2012 | 8,595 deaths | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 10,271 deaths | +19.5% |
| 2014 | 15,994 deaths | +55.7% |
| 2015 | 21,755 deaths | +36.0% |
| 2016 | 26,200 deaths | +20.4% |
| 2017 | 21,739 deaths | -17.0% |
| 2018 | 31,397 deaths | +44.4% |
| 2019 | 35,334 deaths | +12.5% |
| 2020 | 22,205 deaths | -37.2% |
| 2021 | 41,086 deaths | +85.0% |
| 2022 | 3,015 deaths | -92.7% |
| 2023 | 634 deaths | -79.0% |
| 2024 | 638 deaths | +0.6% |
| 2025 | 780 deaths | +22.3% |
Afghanistan compared with similar countries
- Afghanistan's 780 deaths is above the median for low income countries, which is 371 deaths, 2.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 17,642 deaths | 17,642 deaths | 17,642 deaths | 1 |
| 1990s | 7,296 deaths | 2,311 deaths | 15,180 deaths | 10 |
| 2000s | 5,552 deaths | 1,294 deaths | 13,588 deaths | 10 |
| 2010s | 18,847 deaths | 8,512 deaths | 35,334 deaths | 10 |
| 2020s | 11,393 deaths | 634 deaths | 41,086 deaths | 6 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More health data for Afghanistan
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.45 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 1.03 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 812.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 14,735 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 19 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.78 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.077 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.75 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is deaths in armed conflicts in Afghanistan?
- Deaths in armed conflicts in Afghanistan was 780 deaths in 2025, according to Uppsala Conflict Data Program (2026); geoBoundaries (2023) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest deaths in armed conflicts recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 41,086 deaths in 2021.
- What is the lowest deaths in armed conflicts recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 634 deaths in 2023.
- How does Afghanistan rank for deaths in armed conflicts?
- Afghanistan ranks 21st out of 196 countries with data for 2025.
- Is deaths in armed conflicts rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 96.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from Uppsala Conflict Data Program (2026); geoBoundaries (2023) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Deaths in armed conflicts. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
High estimate of the number of deaths of combatants and civilians due to fighting in interstate, intrastate, extrasystemic, non-state conflicts, and one-sided violence that were ongoing that year.