Photo: Afghanistan Matters · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Afghanistan: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Afghanistan is placed 16th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 117.17 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 86.87 (2024).
Share
Energy
16th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 2 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Afghanistan on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
117.17
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Afghanistan: 117.17. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Southern Asia
- 23.73 Bhutan
- Land neighbours
- China 558.97 · Pakistan 334.42 · Tajikistan 70.81 · Turkmenistan 1,306 · Uzbekistan 1,040
86.87
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Afghanistan: 86.87. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Southern Asia
- 100 Bhutan and Nepal
- Land neighbours
- China 33.16 · Pakistan 41.13 · Tajikistan 94.59 · Turkmenistan 0.03 · Uzbekistan 15.95
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
No reading
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
World Energy Council publishes no 2023 figure for Afghanistan, so the standing rests on the other keys.
Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Southern Asia
- 60.4 Sri Lanka
- Land neighbours
- China 64.4 · Iran 59.8 · Pakistan 45.5 · Tajikistan 57.5
02Over time
Which way Afghanistan is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
AfghanistanWorld median
Afghanistan fell from 247.92 in 2000 to 117.17 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Afghanistan World median 2024 117.2 433.7 2023 118.6 452.7 2022 119.8 476.3 2021 110.4 469.0 2020 94.1 482.0 2019 117.1 488.2 2018 159.0 500.4 2017 132.5 506.3 2016 122.3 521.9 2015 127.1 524.8 2014 136.2 522.3 2013 177.5 508.8 2012 145.5 525.4 2011 197.4 521.4 2010 135.2 515.5 2009 119.1 533.6 2008 261.5 517.2 2007 225.7 535.3 2006 250.0 537.5 2005 220.7 521.4 2004 227.8 523.1 2003 245.1 543.1 2002 171.8 551.3 2001 213.0 559.3 2000 247.9 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
AfghanistanWorld median
Afghanistan rose from 64.58 in 2000 to 86.87 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Afghanistan World median 2024 86.87 32.062 2023 86.60 28.000 2022 86.46 28.881 2021 87.74 28.286 2020 89.83 27.125 2019 87.67 26.296 2018 82.91 25.505 2017 86.51 24.023 2016 87.60 22.218 2015 87.29 21.915 2014 86.21 21.151 2013 80.18 21.593 2012 84.09 19.869 2011 77.92 18.584 2010 85.23 18.572 2009 87.64 17.886 2008 69.23 15.923 2007 74.26 15.586 2006 71.11 15.392 2005 71.95 16.438 2004 70.89 16.445 2003 69.23 16.339 2002 78.87 13.826 2001 72.46 14.023 2000 64.58 15.612
03In context
Afghanistan beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Afghanistan and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 16th | 117.17 | 86.87 | — |
 Tajikistan | 45th | 70.81 | 94.59 | 57.5 |
 China | =87th | 558.97 | 33.16 | 64.4 |
 Pakistancompare | 90th | 334.42 | 41.13 | 45.5 |
 Uzbekistan | =144th | 1,040 | 15.95 | — |
 Turkmenistan | 165th | 1,306 | 0.03 | — |
 Iran | not placed | — | — | 59.8 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Southern Asia
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Afghanistan in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Afghanistan is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under energy, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median4
Statistics on which Afghanistan does better than the middle country measured.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.210.2543.21▲ Improved since 2014
Afghanistan: 0.254 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 191st of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3286.8737.32▼ Worsened since 2014
Afghanistan: 86.87 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 27th of 162 · derived.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7381.9492.738▼ Worsened since 2014
Afghanistan: 1.949 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27911.115.279▼ Worsened since 2014
Afghanistan: 11.11 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
Behind the world median9
Statistics on which Afghanistan does worse than the middle country measured.
RISE Electricity Access Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 65.6754.5665.67▲ Improved since 2013
Afghanistan: 54.56 · world median 65.67 · Electricity access policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 9.471 to 90.47; higher is better.
Position 39th of 56 · derived.
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 03.030▲ Improved since 2014
Afghanistan: 3.03 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10084.6100▼ Worsened since 2014
Afghanistan: 84.6 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10087.8100▼ Worsened since 2014
Afghanistan: 87.8 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7742.8525.77No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 42.85 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 37th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2319.5148.23▲ Improved since 2013
Afghanistan: 19.51 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2612.1233.26▼ Worsened since 2013
Afghanistan: 12.12 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
RISE Clean Cooking Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 29.728.33329.72▼ Worsened since 2013
Afghanistan: 8.333 · world median 29.72 · Clean cooking policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 80.69; higher is better.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8564.5124.85No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 64.51 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
No better end12
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 0588.890No real change since 2014
Afghanistan: 588.89 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2735.0164.273No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 5.016 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.8575.7612.85No real change since 2014
Afghanistan: 75.76 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04911.113.049Moved since 2014
Afghanistan: 11.11 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Afghanistan: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.0530.144Moved since 2014
Afghanistan: 0.053 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.0770.0260.077Moved since 2014
Afghanistan: 0.026 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Afghanistan: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58502.585Moved since 2014
Afghanistan: 0 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000100No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 0 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5250525No earlier reading
Afghanistan: 0 · world median 525 · Coal-fired capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,263,101.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.53.15749.5No real change since 2014
Afghanistan: 3.157 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
No current reading for Afghanistan
Natural Gas Production (last 2020), Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2019) and World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Energy among Afghanistan’s 13 topics
Energy is Afghanistan’s best-placed topic of 13. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy16th of 1652/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 97th of 1864/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation131st of 1762/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture155th of 1843/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 160th of 1774/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience178th of 1934/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions179th of 1944/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing190th of 2004/4 keys
- Gender & Equality175th of 1833/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties190th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital189th of 1963/3 keys
- Digital & Technology194th of 1983/4 keys
- Work & Labour182nd of 1824/4 keys
No standing on Education & Knowledge, Mobility & Trade, Poverty & Inequality: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Afghanistan can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Asia
Bhutan1st2/3 keysThis page
Afghanistan16th2/3 keys
Positions out of 165 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Afghanistan on energy: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Afghanistan rank on energy?
Afghanistan is placed 16th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 2 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity and Renewable Share of Electricity Generation). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Afghanistan?
117.17 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Afghanistan?
86.87 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Afghanistan compare with China on energy?
China is placed joint 87th of 165, and Afghanistan 16th. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: China 558.97, Afghanistan 117.17; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: China 33.16, Afghanistan 86.87.
How have Afghanistan’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 247.92 in 2000 to 117.17 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 64.58 in 2000 to 86.87 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Afghanistan?
No current reading is published for Afghanistan on Natural Gas Production, Primary Schools with Electricity and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Afghanistan’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Afghanistan (banner) — Afghanistan Matters, CC BY 2.0
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Afghanistan: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/afghanistan/energy