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Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026

Afghanistan: Environment & Sustainability

How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?

Afghanistan is placed joint 97th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 0.254 (2024); Water Stress 54.76 (2023).

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Environment & Sustainability

joint97th

of 186 countries placed

Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics

Country Index 2026, all topicsjoint 175th of 183 →

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Afghanistan on environment & sustainability — 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.

Why these keys

  1. Key 1 of 4

    CO₂ Emissions per Capita

    Global Carbon Project

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0.254

    Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)

    Lower is better

    Afghanistan: 0.254. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.

    World median
    3.21
    Best in Southern Asia
    0.254 Afghanistan
    Land neighbours
    China 8.658 · Iran 8.656 · Pakistan 0.716 · Tajikistan 1.014 · Turkmenistan 10.81 · Uzbekistan 3.829

  2. Key 2 of 4

    Water Stress

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0

    54.76

    Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)

    Lower is better

    Afghanistan: 54.76. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.

    World median
    10
    Best in Southern Asia
    1.41 Bhutan
    Land neighbours
    China 41.59 · Iran 80.43 · Pakistan 98.12 · Tajikistan 69.94 · Turkmenistan 135.21 · Uzbekistan 123.03

  3. Key 3 of 4

    Organic Agricultural Area

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0

    Organic share of agricultural land (%)

    Higher is better

    Afghanistan: 0. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.

    World median
    0.725
    Best in Southern Asia
    3.08 Sri Lanka
    Land neighbours
    China 0.92 · Iran 0.01 · Pakistan 0.24 · Tajikistan 1.71 · Uzbekistan 0.02

  4. Key 4 of 4

    Ecological Footprint

    Global Footprint Network

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    0.773

    Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)

    Lower is better

    Afghanistan: 0.773. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.

    World median
    2.296
    Best in Southern Asia
    0.722 Pakistan
    Land neighbours
    China 3.757 · Pakistan 0.722 · Tajikistan 1.033 · Turkmenistan 4.234 · Uzbekistan 2.295

03In context

Afghanistan beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.

Southern Asia
1st186thNot placed · 38 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on environment & sustainability

Afghanistan and the countries it borders

Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingCO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%)Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Tajikistan69th1.01469.941.711.033
Pakistancompare86th0.71698.120.240.722
Afghanistan=97th0.25454.7600.773
China157th8.65841.590.923.757
Uzbekistan=166th3.829123.030.022.295
Turkmenistan179th10.81135.21—4.234
Iran180th8.65680.430.01—

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Across Southern Asia

Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 186.

Placed either side on environment & sustainability

The countries immediately above and below Afghanistan in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Afghanistan is ahead of the world, and behind

42 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median7

Statistics on which Afghanistan does better than the middle country measured.

  • Municipal Solid Waste GenerationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 0.9660.323No earlier reading

    Afghanistan: 0.323 · world median 0.966 · Municipal solid waste generated (kg per person per day). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.058 to 4.176; lower is better.

    Position 185th of 201 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0686.87No real change since 2014

    Afghanistan: 86.87 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 24th of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75117.17▼ Worsened since 2014

    Afghanistan: 117.17 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.

    Position 140th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3286.87▼ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7381.949▼ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.27911.11▼ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.173.7No real change since 2015

    Afghanistan: 3.7 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.

    Position 102nd of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

Behind the world median12

Statistics on which Afghanistan does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,5281,162▼ Worsened since 2012

    Afghanistan: 1,162 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.

    Position 122nd of 181 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5652.3▲ Improved since 2013

    Afghanistan: 2.3 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.

    Position 61st of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 03.03▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6633.369No earlier reading

    Afghanistan: 3.369 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.142.43▲ Improved since 2015

    Afghanistan: 2.43 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.

    Position 152nd of 186 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4531.7No real change since 2013

    Afghanistan: 31.7 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.

    Position 30th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.492▼ Worsened since 2013

    Afghanistan: 0.492 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.

    Position 139th of 156 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 57.6No earlier reading

    Afghanistan: 7.6 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.

    Ranked 15th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.183.81No real change since 2015

    Afghanistan: 3.81 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4433.02No real change since 2014

    Afghanistan: 33.02 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.

    Ranked 180th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.612No real change since 2014

    Afghanistan: 0.612 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.

    Ranked 181st of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.10.61No real change since 2013

    Afghanistan: 0.61 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

Level with the median, or no median to compare1

  • Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 00No real change since 2015

    Afghanistan: 0 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

No better end22

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1498.17No real change since 2012

    Afghanistan: 98.17 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.

    Position 2nd of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9658.44No real change since 2013

    Afghanistan: 58.44 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.

    Position 42nd of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.04911.11Moved 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2782,346,054Moved since 2013

    Afghanistan: 2,346,054 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.

    Position 51st of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.961Moved since 2015

    Afghanistan: 1.961 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.189Moved since 2013

    Afghanistan: 0.189 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.

    Position 65th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,63516,159No real change since 2013

    Afghanistan: 16,159 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.

    Position 70th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69585.33No real change since 2015

    Afghanistan: 585.33 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.665.979No earlier reading

    Afghanistan: 5.979 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.

    Position 49th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8244,250Moved since 2015

    Afghanistan: 4,250 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.053Moved 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7080.429No real change since 2011

    Afghanistan: 0.429 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.

    Position 131st of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37514,170Moved since 2014

    Afghanistan: 14,170 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7758.823Moved since 2015

    Afghanistan: 8.823 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Operating Coal Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 5250No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.634.79Moved since 2013

    Afghanistan: 4.79 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.18No real change since 2013

    Afghanistan: 0.18 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.

    Position 161st of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.366.595No real change since 2013

    Afghanistan: 6.595 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.

    Position 168th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.081.853No real change since 2013

    Afghanistan: 1.853 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.

    Position 188th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9540No real change since 1990

    Afghanistan: 0 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.

    Chart and every countryThe 2015 dataset

  • Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.836.39Moved since 2013

    Afghanistan: 6.39 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

No current reading for Afghanistan

Adjusted Net Savings, Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Mangrove Area, Pesticide Use per Hectare, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation 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

Environment & Sustainability among Afghanistan’s 13 topics

Environment & Sustainability is Afghanistan’s 2nd best-placed topic of 13. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.

On the profile
  1. Energy16th of 165
  2. Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 97th of 186
  3. Economy & Innovation131st of 176
  4. Food & Agriculture155th of 184
  5. Peace & Securityjoint 160th of 177
  6. Risk & Resilience178th of 193
  7. Governance & Institutions179th of 194
  8. Health & Wellbeing190th of 200
  9. Gender & Equality175th of 183
  10. Democracy & Civil Liberties190th of 198
  11. Development & Human Capital189th of 196
  12. Digital & Technology194th of 198
  13. Work & Labour182nd of 182

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 environment & sustainability

The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Afghanistan can most readily be measured against.

All 186 countries
  1. 1

    Angola

    Middle Africa

    1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale

  2. 2

    São Tomé and Príncipe

    Middle Africa

    2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

  3. 3

    Sierra Leone

    Western Africa

    3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Asia

    Palestine24th2/4 keys

  2. Highest in Southern Asia

    Nepal60th4/4 keys

  3. This page

    Afghanistan=97th4/4 keys

Positions out of 186 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 environment & sustainability: 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 environment & sustainability?

Afghanistan is placed joint 97th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Afghanistan?

0.254 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.

What is the latest Water Stress figure for Afghanistan?

54.76 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.

How does Afghanistan compare with China on environment & sustainability?

China is placed 157th of 186, and Afghanistan joint 97th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: China 8.658, Afghanistan 0.254; Water Stress: China 41.59, Afghanistan 54.76; Organic Agricultural Area: China 0.92, Afghanistan 0; Ecological Footprint: China 3.757, Afghanistan 0.773.

How have Afghanistan’s environment & sustainability figures changed?

CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 0.052 in 2000 to 0.254 in 2024; Water Stress was 54.76 in both 2000 and 2023; Organic Agricultural Area was 0 in both 2007 and 2024; Ecological Footprint rose from 0.772 in 2000 to 0.773 in 2025.

Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Afghanistan?

No current reading is published for Afghanistan on Adjusted Net Savings, Consumption-Based CO₂ Emissions, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Mangrove Area, Pesticide Use per Hectare, Tropical Moist Forest Deforestation 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

Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.

About environment & sustainability, in full

How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided

A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 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 4 keys to be placed.

The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

The other 42 statistics on this page come from 15 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.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Afghanistan: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/afghanistan/environment

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