Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health
Afghanistan
South AsiaLow income110 of 121 indicators available
Afghanistan, situated in the South Asia region, is classified as a low-income country by the World Bank. In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio was recorded at 520 per 100,000 live births. The neonatal mortality rate is reported as 33 per 1,000 live births in 2024, while the under-five mortality rate stands at 53 per 1,000 live births for the same year. Other relevant indicators include a stillbirth rate of 28 per 1,000 total births in 2023, an adolescent birth rate of 62 per 1,000 female adolescents in 2021, and a total fertility rate of 4.7 births per woman projected for 2025.
Location
Maternal
Pregnancy, childbirth and the health of women
Maternal mortality and cause of death
An estimated 7,646 maternal deaths occurred in Afghanistan in 2023 — about one death every hour. Maternal mortality ratio has declined by 62% since 2000, yet the leading causes — haemorrhage, indirect causes and hypertensive disorders — remain largely preventable or treatable with timely care.
Maternal mortality ratio
2023 · UN MMEIG 2025
Causes of maternal death (Central and Southern Asia)
Haemorrhage · Central and Southern Asia (WHO regional estimate)
Haemorrhage25%
Indirect causes · Central and Southern Asia (WHO regional estimate)
Indirect causes21%
Hypertensive disorders · Central and Southern Asia (WHO regional estimate)
Hypertensive disorders17%
Abortion · Central and Southern Asia (WHO regional estimate)
Abortion9%
Embolism · Central and Southern Asia (WHO regional estimate)
Embolism9%
Intervention coverage
Maternal health interventions across antenatal, intrapartum, and postnatal care form a life-saving continuum that prevents, detects, and manages critical complications like preeclampsia, obstructed labor, and postpartum hemorrhage.
2023 · Multiple Indicators Survey 2022-23
Antenatal care (four or more visits) (%)33.4%
2015 · DHS Program surveys
First antenatal care visit within the first trimester (%)30.7%
2024 · UNICEF Global Databases
Treatment of pregnant women living with HIV with ART (%)14.0%
2023 · MICS 2022-23
Skilled birth attendance (%)67.5%
2023 · MICS 2022-23
Institutional deliveries (total) (%)66.3%
2015 · DHS Program surveys
Private institutional deliveries %5.5%
2015 · DHS Program surveys
Public institutional deliveries %48.8%
2023 · MICS 2022-23
Caesarean section rate (%)6.5%
2023 · Multiple Indicators Survey 2022-23
Postnatal care for mothers (%)36.3%
2022 · MICS 2022-23
Early initiation of breastfeeding47.7%
2022 · MICS 2022-23
Continued breastfeeding (year 1)82.4%
2015 · UN SDG Global Database
Demand for family planning satisfied (modern method) (%)42.1%
Nutrition
A mother’s body mass index (BMI), anemia status, and physical stature serve as vital indicators of overall nutritional status, physiological reserve, and anatomical structure, directly influencing maternal health outcomes throughout pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period.
| Women of reproductive age, short stature (%) | — | Not yet available |
| Women (age 20+) underweight (BMI <18.5) (%): | 5.6% | 2024 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2024 |
| Women (age 20+) overweight (BMI 25-30) (%): | 51.1% | 2024 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2024 |
| Women (age 20+) obese (BMI >30) (%): | 20.6% | 2024 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2024 |
| Iron supplementation >90 days among women with a birth | 6.4 | 2015 · DHS Program surveys 2015 |
| Anemia in women aged 15-49 (%) | 45.4% | 2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2023 |
Policy
Policies like paid maternal leave and regulations around breastmilk substitutes (BMS) are two of the most critical structural levers for protecting maternal health.
| Maternity leave | No data available yet Unknown |
| Paternity leave | No data available yet Unknown |
| International code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes | 2022 · WHO Nutrition Landscape Information System Yes |
| Maternity protection convention 183 | 2026 · ILO NORMLEX (Maternity Protection Conventi No |
| Legal status of abortion | |
2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Constitution provision2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Criminal/Penal Code provision2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Civil Code provision2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Abortion Specific Law2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Reproductive Health Act presence2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH General Medical Health Act presence2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Law on Health Care Services2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Law on Medical Practitioners2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Health Regulation or Clinical Guideline2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Medical Ethics Code2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Case Law2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Ministerial Orders/Decrees2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH EML/Registered List2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Document relating to Funding2026 · Global Abortion Policies Database (WHO SRH Other document type | |
Demographic and contextual
| Total fertility rate (births per woman) | 4.7 | 2025 · UN WPP · modelled 2025 |
Neonatal
The first 28 days of life
Neonatal mortality
Neonatal
Neonatal mortality rate
2024 · UN IGME child mortality estimates · modelled
Causes of death
Prematurity · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Prematurity32%
Other neonatal deaths · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other neonatal deaths18%
Birth asphyxia/trauma · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Birth asphyxia/trauma16%
Lower respiratory infections · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Lower respiratory infections13%
Sepsis · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Sepsis7%
Stillbirth rate (per 1000 total births)
2023 · UN IGME child mortality estimates · modelled
Share of regional stillbirths
of South Asia’s estimated stillbirths occur in Afghanistan.
Intervention coverage
Many deaths could be prevented with the interventions below.
2022 · MICS 2022-23
Exclusive breastfeeding75.9%
2022 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled
Neonatal tetanus protection60.0%
2023 · MICS 2022-23
Birth registration (%)55.9%
2023 · Multiple Indicators Survey 2022-23
Postnatal care for newborns (%)34.6%
Nutrition
| Low birth weight prevalence (%) | — | Not yet available |
| Minimum dietary diversity (%) | 20.0% | 2022 · MICS 2022-23 2022 |
Demographic and contextual
| Neonatal deaths, as % of all <5 | — | Not yet available |
Child
Survival, immunization and nutrition to age five
Child mortality
1–59 months
Mortality rate 1-59 months
2024 · UN IGME child mortality estimates · modelled
Causes of death
Lower respiratory infections · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Lower respiratory infections23%
Other communicable diseases · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other communicable diseases18%
Diarrhea · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Diarrhea15%
Injuries · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Injuries9%
Severe acute malnutrition · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Severe acute malnutrition8%
Under 5
Under 5 mortality rate (deaths per 1000)
2024 · UN IGME child mortality estimates · modelled
Causes of death
Prematurity · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Prematurity23%
Other under-5 deaths · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other under-5 deaths20%
Lower respiratory infections · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Lower respiratory infections16%
Birth asphyxia/trauma · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Birth asphyxia/trauma11%
Diarrhea · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Diarrhea7%
5–9 years
Mortality rate age 5-9
2024 · UN IGME child mortality estimates · modelled
Causes of death
Other injuries · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other injuries22%
Other NCDs · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other NCDs16%
Drowning · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Drowning13%
Other communicable diseases · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other communicable diseases10%
Road traffic injuries · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Road traffic injuries9%
Intervention coverage
Many deaths could be prevented with the interventions below.
2024 · WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunizat
Immunization BCG68.0%
2024 · WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunizat
Immunization - DTP359.0%
2024 · WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunizat
Immunization - PCV357.0%
2024 · WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunizat
Immunization - Rotavirus56.0%
2024 · WHO/UNICEF estimates of national immunizat
Immunization - Measles55.0%
2023 · MICS 2022-23
Careseeking for fever (%)49.0%
2023 · Multiple Indicators Survey 2022-23
Careseeking for symptoms of ARI46.4%
2023 · Multiple Indicators Survey 2022-23
Diarrhoea treatment: ORS32.6%
2023 · Multiple Indicators Survey 2022-23
Diarrhoea treatment - ORS + zinc24.0%
2024 · WUENIC 2024 revision (WHO/UNICEF, via Immu
DTP3 to MCV1 drop-out rate (%)16.7%
2023 · MICS 2022-23
Malaria diagnostics in children under-five with fever (%)11.9%
2024 · WUENIC 2024 revision (WHO/UNICEF, via Immu
Number of children not receiving a dose of DTP3 (Drop-out children)10.6%
2015 · DHS 2015
Malaria prevention in children under-five - sleeping under ITNs (%)4.6%
2015 · DHS 2015
Population sleeping under ITN or sleeping in a house sprayed by IRS (%)2.9%
Nutrition
| Under 5 overweight (%) | 14.1% | 2022 · MICS 2022-23 2022 |
| Under 5 stunting (%) | 57.1% | 2022 · MICS 2022-23 2022 |
| Vitamin A supplementation, full coverage | 99.0% | 2023 · UNICEF Global Database - Vitamin A Supplem 2023 |
| Wasting prevalence (moderate and severe) (%) | 6.6% | 2022 · MICS 2022-23 2022 |
Demographic and contextual
| Secondary completion (upper, female) (%) | 22.9% | 2015 · UNICEF Global Databases 2015 |
| Under 5 population (000) | 6,898k | 2025 · UN WPP · modelled 2025 |
| Early childhood development index (%) | 27.9% | 2023 · UN SDG Global Database 2023 |
| Number of children not receiving a first dose of DTP1 (Zero-dose children) | 489,530 | 2024 · WUENIC 2024 revision (WHO/UNICEF, via Immu 2024 |
| Child marriage – before age 15 | 9.1 | 2023 · MICS 2022-23 2023 |
| Child marriage – before age 18 | 30.6 | 2023 · MICS 2022-23 2023 |
| Children with disabilities | 35.2 | 2023 · UNICEF Global Databases 2023 |
| Out of school rate for primary age children/secondary | 37.0 | 2015 · UNICEF Global Databases 2015 |
Adolescent
Health, risk and wellbeing from 10 to 19
10–14 years
Mortality rate 10-14
2024 · UN IGME estimate
Causes of death
Other injuries · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other injuries32%
Other NCDs · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other NCDs16%
Drowning · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Drowning12%
Other communicable diseases · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other communicable diseases10%
Road traffic injuries · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Road traffic injuries6%
15–19 years
Male
Mortality rate 15-19 (male)
2024 · UN IGME estimate
Causes of death
Other communicable diseases · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other communicable diseases26%
Road traffic injuries · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Road traffic injuries12%
Other NCDs · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other NCDs10%
Other injuries · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other injuries9%
Self-harm · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Self-harm8%
Female
Mortality rate 15-19 (female)
2024 · UN IGME estimate
Causes of death
Other communicable diseases · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Other communicable diseases50%
Self-harm · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Self-harm10%
Tuberculosis · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Tuberculosis8%
Maternal causes · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Maternal causes6%
Digestive system · CA CODE, national estimate (2024)
Digestive system6%
Health outcomes and conditions
Adolescent birth rate (live births/1 000 female adolescents)62 per 1k
2021 · MICS 2022-23
Nutrition
| Adolescent obese(%) | 7.9% | 2024 · WHO SRMNCAH Policy Survey 2024 |
| Thinness (%) | 8.3% | 2024 · WHO SRMNCAH Policy Survey 2024 |
Context
Demography and the conditions that shape health
Health system
| UHC | 42.0 | 2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2023 |
| UHC RMNCH | 46.0 | 2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2023 |
Service delivery
2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled
Density of doctors (per 10,000 population)3.2
2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled
Nurse and midwife density5.5
Health financing
Official development assistance to reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health, alongside the country’s own health spending.
Total ODA to RMNCHUS$214m
ODA to maternal & newborn health· US$35 per live birthUS$52m
ODA to child health· US$22 per child under 5US$151m
ODA to reproductive healthUS$11m
2024 · OECD Creditor Reporting System (Muskoka2)
| General government expenditure on health as % of total government expenditure | 1.5 | 2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2023 |
| Government Expenditure on Health per capita | 1.0 | 2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2023 |
| Out of pocket expenditure as % of total expenditure on health | 77.1 | 2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2023 |
| Per Capita Total Expenditure on Health | 59.1 | 2023 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2023 |
Environment
| Population using at least basic drinking-water services | 80.8% | 2024 · WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme () 2024 |
| Population using at least basic sanitation services | 54.5% | 2024 · WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme () 2024 |
| Population with hand washing facilities with soap and water at home | 51.9% | 2024 · WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme () 2024 |
| Primary reliance on clean fuels and technologies (%) | 30.0% | 2024 · WHO Global Health Observatory · modelled 2024 |
Demographic and contextual
| Sexual and reproductive health decision-making (%) | — | Not yet available |
| Total births (000) | 1,508k | 2025 · UN WPP · modelled 2025 |
| Total population (000) | 43,844k | 2025 · UN WPP · modelled 2025 |
| Population by degree of urbanization (%) | 83.1% | 2025 · UN WPP · modelled 2025 |
| Conflict and fragile situations | 1.0 | 2026 · World Bank Fragile and Conflict-affected S 2026 |
Other
FGM prevalence (women 15–49)—
Not yet available