Country: Afghanistan
| Photo | People Group ▲ | Population this Country |
Global Population |
Indigenous | Primary Language | Primary Religion | Progress Scale |
% Christian Adherent |
% Evangelical | Est. Workers Needed * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Afghan, Tajik | 10,246,000 | 10,642,000 | ● | Dari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.01 % | 0.01 % | 205 |
|
Afshari | 14,000 | 387,000 | Azerbaijani, South | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.04 % | 0.04 % | 1 | |
|
Aimaq | 1,558,000 | 1,797,000 | ● | Aimaq | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 31 |
|
Americans, U.S. | 13,000 | 191,659,000 | English | Christianity | 5 ● | 84.50 % | 30.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Ansari | 2,400 | 16,698,000 | Urdu | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Arab, Tajiki | 17,000 | 18,000 | Arabic, Tajiki Spoken | Islam | 1 ● | 0.20 % | 0.20 % | 1 | |
|
Arora (Hindu traditions) | 1,500 | 4,116,000 | Saraiki | Hinduism | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Baloch, Western | 457,000 | 1,250,000 | ● | Balochi, Western | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.01 % | 0.01 % | 9 |
|
Bania (Muslim traditions) | 6,300 | 6,300 | Urdu | Islam | 1 ● | 0.23 % | 0.20 % | 1 | |
|
Brahmin | 3,600 | 63,721,000 | Urdu | Hinduism | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Brahui | 315,000 | 3,122,000 | ● | Brahui | Islam | 1 ● | 0.10 % | 0.10 % | 6 |
|
British | 1,100 | 53,604,000 | English | Christianity | 4 ● | 72.00 % | 6.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Changar | 3,000 | 365,000 | Urdu | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Chitrali, Kho | 9,800 | 39,000 | Khowar | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Darwazi, Badakhshani | 16,000 | 16,000 | ● | Dari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Deaf | 380,000 | 46,968,000 | ● | Afghan Sign Language | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.05 % | -1 | 8 |
|
Garwi, Kohistani | 1,900 | 1,900 | ● | Kalami | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
German | 2,800 | 66,130,000 | German, Standard | Christianity | 4 ● | 78.00 % | 5.00 % | -1 - | |
|
Gujar (Muslim traditions) | 18,000 | 5,530,000 | ● | Gujari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.03 % | 0.03 % | 1 |
|
Hazara | 3,802,000 | 4,576,000 | ● | Hazaragi | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.03 % | 0.03 % | 76 |
|
Ishkashimi | 3,100 | 4,700 | ● | Ishkashimi | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Italian | 1,900 | 38,273,000 | Italian | Christianity | 3 ● | 77.00 % | 0.20 % | -1 - | |
|
Karakalpak | 3,200 | 790,000 | Karakalpak | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Kazakh | 3,200 | 15,484,000 | Kazakh | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Khatri (Sikh traditions) | 2,700 | 311,000 | Punjabi, Eastern | Other / Small | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Kohistani | 46,000 | 72,000 | ● | Kohistani, Indus | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Kurd, Central | 263,000 | 8,167,000 | Kurdish, Central | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.01 % | 0.01 % | 5 | |
|
Kyrgyz | 1,200 | 5,354,000 | Kyrgyz | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Moghal | 2,200 | 3,139,000 | ● | Dari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Munji | 6,800 | 6,800 | ● | Munji | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Mussali | 3,200 | 2,574,000 | Punjabi, Eastern | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
|
Narisati, Arandui | 38,000 | 38,000 | ● | Gawar-Bati | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Nuristani, Ashkuni | 47,000 | 47,000 | ● | Ashkun | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Nuristani, Grangali | 11,000 | 11,000 | ● | Grangali | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Nuristani, Kamviri | 21,000 | 21,000 | ● | Kamviri | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Nuristani, Malakhel | 3,200 | 3,200 | ● | Dari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Nuristani, Narisati | 141,000 | 187,000 | ● | Kati | Islam | 1 ● | 0.10 % | 0.00 % | 3 |
|
|
Nuristani, Prasuni | 9,400 | 9,400 | ● | Prasuni | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Nuristani, Tregami | 4,100 | 4,100 | ● | Tregami | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Nuristani, Waigeli | 31,000 | 31,000 | ● | Waigali | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Ormuri | 3,200 | 3,200 | ● | Pashto, Southern | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Pahlavani | 3,600 | 3,600 | ● | Dari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Parachi | 7,900 | 7,900 | ● | Parachi | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Parsee | 2,300 | 163,000 | ● | Dari | Other / Small | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Parya, Laghmani | 300 | 5,900 | ● | Parya | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Pashayi, Northeast | 90,000 | 90,000 | ● | Pashai, Northeast | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 2 |
|
|
Pashayi, Northwest | 94,000 | 94,000 | ● | Pashai, Northwest | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 2 |
|
Pashayi, Southeast | 534,000 | 534,000 | ● | Pashai, Southeast | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 11 |
|
Pashayi, Southwest | 118,000 | 118,000 | ● | Pashai, Southwest | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.01 % | 0.00 % | 2 |
|
Pashtun, Northern | 2,687,000 | 34,339,000 | ● | Pashto, Northern | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.01 % | 0.01 % | 54 |
|
Pashtun, Southern | 9,338,000 | 9,553,000 | ● | Pashto, Southern | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.02 % | 0.02 % | 187 |
|
Persian | 647,000 | 41,266,000 | ● | Persian, Iranian | Islam | 1 ● | 0.12 % | 0.10 % | 13 |
|
Punjabi | 5,800 | 2,080,000 | ● | Punjabi, Eastern | Islam | 1 ● | 1.00 % | 0.30 % | 1 |
|
Punjabi, Western | 36,000 | 36,000 | ● | Punjabi, Western | Islam | 1 ● | 0.20 % | 0.10 % | 1 |
|
Qizilbash | 292,000 | 297,000 | ● | Dari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 6 |
|
Romani, Balkan | 17,000 | 1,216,000 | Romani, Balkan | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Romani, Domari | 11,000 | 3,462,000 | Domari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.02 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Russian | 900 | 134,030,000 | Russian | Non-Religious | 2 ● | 31.00 % | 0.30 % | -1 - | |
|
|
Sanglechi | 2,700 | 4,600 | ● | Sanglechi | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Sau | 4,700 | 4,700 | ● | Savi | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Shughni | 44,000 | 82,000 | ● | Shughni | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Shumashti | 1,600 | 1,600 | ● | Shumashti | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Sindhi | 24,000 | 97,000 | Sindhi | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.08 % | 0.08 % | 1 | |
|
|
Tangshuri | 16,000 | 16,000 | ● | Dari | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Tirahi | 5,600 | 5,600 | ● | Pashto, Southern | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
Turk | 10,000 | 61,293,000 | Turkish | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 | |
|
Turkmen | 2,122,000 | 8,168,000 | ● | Turkmen | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 42 |
|
Uyghur | 4,700 | 12,299,000 | Uyghur | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.05 % | 0.05 % | 1 | |
|
Uzbek, Southern | 4,259,000 | 4,296,000 | ● | Uzbek, Southern | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.01 % | 0.01 % | 85 |
|
Wakhi | 20,000 | 114,000 | ● | Wakhi | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Warduji | 7,900 | 7,900 | ● | Warduji | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
|
|
Wotapuri-Katarqalai | 3,400 | 3,400 | ● | Pashto, Northern | Islam | 0 ☀ | 0.00 % | 0.00 % | 1 |
| Totals: 72 | 37,925,000 | 67 ● | 0.06 % | 0.03 % | 796 | |||||
| Unclassified / Other Individuals | 117,000 | |||||||||
| UN Country Population (2019) | 38,042,000 |
| State ▲ | Population | People Groups | Unreached Groups |
% Unreached Peoples |
Population in Unreached |
% Population Unreached |
Districts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Country: | 37,925,000 | 72 | 67 | 93.1 % | 37,906,000 | 99.9 % | 0 |
| Class ▲ | Population | % Popl | % Hindu | % Muslim | % Christian | % Buddhist | % Sikh | % Other | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Forward Caste (FC) | 289,167,000 | 762.5 % | 97.4 % | 0.0 % | 1.1 % | 0.0 % | 0.0 % | 1.5 % |
|
|
Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 753,926,000 | 1,987.9 % | 70.9 % | 24.0 % | 1.7 % | 0.2 % | 2.5 % | 0.8 % |
|
|
Scheduled Caste (SC) | 200,921,000 | 529.8 % | 94.4 % | 0.0 % | 0.5 % | 2.8 % | 2.3 % | 0.0 % |
|
|
Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 116,285,000 | 306.6 % | 81.8 % | 1.5 % | 9.2 % | 0.8 % | 0.0 % | 6.7 % |
| 37,925,000 |
| Language ▲ | Code | # Peoples Primary Language |
# Unreached Primary Language |
Scripture Status |
NT Text Online |
NT Audio Online |
Jesus Film Online |
Audio Recordings Online |
Gospel Tract Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Afghan Sign Language | afg | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Aimaq | aiq | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Arabic, Tajiki Spoken | abh | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Ashkun | ask | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Azerbaijani, South | azb | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Balochi, Western | bgn | 1 | 1 | 3 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Brahui | brh | 1 | 1 | 4 New Testament | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Dari | prs | 8 | 8 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Domari | rmt | 1 | 1 | 3 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| English | eng | 2 | 0 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Gawar-Bati | gwt | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| German, Standard | deu | 1 | 0 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Grangali | nli | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Gujari | gju | 1 | 1 | 3 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Hazaragi | haz | 1 | 1 | 3 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Ishkashimi | isk | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Italian | ita | 1 | 0 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Kalami | gwc | 1 | 1 | 4 New Testament | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Kamviri | xvi | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Karakalpak | kaa | 1 | 1 | 4 New Testament | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Kati | bsh | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Kazakh | kaz | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Khowar | khw | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Kohistani, Indus | mvy | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Kurdish, Central | ckb | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Kyrgyz | kir | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Munji | mnj | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Parachi | prc | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Parya | paq | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Pashai, Northeast | aee | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Pashai, Northwest | glh | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Pashai, Southeast | psi | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Pashai, Southwest | psh | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Pashto, Northern | pbu | 2 | 2 | 5 Complete Bible | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Pashto, Southern | pbt | 3 | 3 | 3 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Persian, Iranian | pes | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Prasuni | prn | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Punjabi, Eastern | pan | 3 | 3 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Punjabi, Western | pnb | 1 | 1 | 4 New Testament | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Romani, Balkan | rmn | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Russian | rus | 1 | 0 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Sanglechi | sgy | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Saraiki | skr | 1 | 1 | 4 New Testament | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Savi | sdg | 1 | 1 | 0 Unspecified | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Shughni | sgh | 1 | 1 | 3 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Shumashti | sts | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Sindhi | snd | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Tregami | trm | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -1 |
| Turkish | tur | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Turkmen | tuk | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Urdu | urd | 4 | 4 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Uyghur | uig | 1 | 1 | 5 Complete Bible | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Uzbek, Southern | uzs | 1 | 1 | 4 New Testament | -1 | -1 | 1 | 1 | -1 |
| Waigali | wbk | 1 | 1 | 2 Translation Started | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Wakhi | wbl | 1 | 1 | 3 Bible Portions | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Warduji | wrd | 1 | 1 | 1 Translation Needed | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | -1 |
| Totals: | 56 | 72 | 67 | 16 | 16 | 28 | 50 | 9 |
| MAJOR RELIGIONS ▲ | Percent |
|---|---|
| Buddhism | 0.0 % |
| Christianity (Evangelical 0.0 %) | 0.1 % |
| Ethnic Religions | 0.0 % |
| Hinduism | 0.0 % |
| Islam | 99.8 % |
| Non-Religious | 0.0 % |
| Other / Small Religions | 0.1 % |
| Unknown | 0.0 % |
| CHRISTIAN SEGMENTS ▲ | Percent |
|---|---|
| Anglican | 0.5 % |
| Independent | 39.0 % |
| Orthodox | 2.2 % |
| Other Christian | 12.1 % |
| Protestant | 17.8 % |
| Roman Catholic | 22.6 % |
Major Religions: Religion percentages are derived from summing Joshua Project's data for all people groups who live in each country. The number of individuals who practice each religion, by people group, are summed. This number is divided by the country's total population to derive the religion's percentage.
Christianity Segments: Christian segment percentages are derived from summing Joshua Project's data for all the people groups who live in each country. The number of individuals who practice each segment of Christianity, by people group, are summed. This number is divided by the country's total number of Christians to derive the Christian segment's percentage.
There are many agencies and churches looking for additional staff to help them in their mission and calling in Afghanistan. Internet searches are probably the best way to find these organizations. The following are some example search topics you might try:
- Church planting agencies in Afghanistan
- Christian ministry in Afghanistan
- Business as mission
- Christian literature distribution
- Evangelism agencies
- Christian discipleship
- Short term Christian missions
- Long term Christian missions
- Urban ministries
- Christian media opportunities
- Bible translation opportunities
- Relief and development agencies
- Clean water projects
- Christian medical outreaches
| People Groups | 72 |
| Unreached People Groups | 67 (93.1%) |
| Population | 37,925,000 |
| Population Annual Growth Rate | 2.4% |
| Population in Unreached | 37,906,000 (99.9%) |
| Pioneer Workers Needed * | 796 |
| Primary Religion | Islam |
| Percent Christian Adherent | 0.1% |
| Percent Evangelical | 0.0% |
| Evangelical Annual Growth Rate | 0.0% |
| Country Progress Level | 1 ● |
| Urbanization | 27% |
| Continent | Asia |
| Region | Asia, Central |
| 10/40 Window | Yes |
| Country Code | AF |
| Official Language(s) | Pashto, Southern | Dari |
| Literacy Rate | 32% |
| Estimated Illiterate Population | 25,789,000 |
| Persecution Ranking | 2 (1=High to 50=Low OD) |
 |
Afghanistan prayer cards. All Unreached |
| Operation World |
| Window International Country Profile |
| World Factbook |
| Ethnologue Language Listing |
| God Reports (stories from the field) |
| Religious Freedom Report |
| Political Map (UN) |
| Language Map (Ethnologue) |
| Ethnolinguistic Map (Univ of Texas) |
| East Afghanistan Tribal Map (Source: NPS) |
| South Afghanistan Tribal Map (Source: NPS) |
| Perry-Castaneda Map Collection |
| Afghanistan Prayercast Video |
* An estimate of the number of pioneer workers needed for initial church planting among unreached people groups. Estimates are calculated only for unreached people groups and are based on ratio of 1 worker for every 50,000 individuals living in an unreached people group. Some workers may already be onsite. The country estimate is a summation of the unreached people group estimates. Many more workers are needed beyond this initial estimate.
