Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access in Afghanistan
Afghanistan: Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access was 84.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access in Afghanistan, 2003–2024
Source: SDG 7.1.1 Electrification Dataset, World Bank, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of rural population.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access in Afghanistan is 84.6%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 3.9% on the previous year and down 2.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access in Afghanistan peaked at 97.1% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 2.1%, in 2003.
Afghanistan ranks 157th of 212 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access in Afghanistan, year by year
| Year | % of rural population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2.1% | — |
| 2004 | 7.8% | +271.4% |
| 2005 | 15.4% | +97.4% |
| 2006 | 19.3% | +25.3% |
| 2007 | 25.0% | +29.5% |
| 2008 | 28.0% | +12.0% |
| 2009 | 36.7% | +31.1% |
| 2010 | 30.2% | -17.7% |
| 2011 | 29.6% | -2.0% |
| 2012 | 60.8% | +105.4% |
| 2013 | 60.2% | -1.0% |
| 2014 | 86.5% | +43.7% |
| 2015 | 64.6% | -25.3% |
| 2016 | 97.1% | +50.3% |
| 2017 | 97.1% | +0.0% |
| 2018 | 91.6% | -5.7% |
| 2019 | 97.1% | +6.0% |
| 2020 | 97.1% | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 97.1% | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 81.7% | -15.9% |
| 2023 | 81.4% | -0.4% |
| 2024 | 84.6% | +3.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 19.2% | 2.1% | 36.7% | 7 |
| 2010s | 71.5% | 29.6% | 97.1% | 10 |
| 2020s | 88.4% | 81.4% | 97.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Afghanistan
More energy & mining data for Afghanistan
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2020)
- Primary energy use, annual growth rate -2.06 % change on previous year (2024)
- Coal consumption, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal consumption, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary energy use, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2024)
- Coal production, per unit of GDP 0 terawatt-hours per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Fossil fuel consumption by fuel, per capita 0 terawatt-hours per person (2020)
- Fuel imports 22.7% (2019)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access in Afghanistan?
- Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access in Afghanistan was 84.6% in 2024, according to SDG 7.1.1 Electrification Dataset, World Bank, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access recorded in Afghanistan?
- The highest recorded value was 97.1% in 2016.
- What is the lowest share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access recorded in Afghanistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.1% in 2003.
- How does Afghanistan rank for share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access?
- Afghanistan ranks 157th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access rising or falling in Afghanistan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Afghanistan data come from?
- The figures come from SDG 7.1.1 Electrification Dataset, World Bank, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of rural vs. urban population with electricity access. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Having access to electricity is defined in international statistics as having an electricity source that can provide very basic lighting, and charge a phone or power a radio for 4 hours per day.