Afghanistan
Last updated July 15, 2026
Fragile/Conflict-Affected Country: This country is classified as experiencing conflict.
In fragile and conflict-affected settings, severe data gaps, rapid disruption, and uneven reporting can distort index values. These scores should be read as a limited signal, not a complete picture of conditions in the country.
Composite GEFRI Score
Systemwide critical constraints
Afghanistan shows critically low readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (2nd percentile worldwide). Core capabilities are weak across most dimensions, and essential systems face significant constraints.
- Global percentile
- 2nd
- Global rank
- #174
- Regional rank
- #8
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Afghanistan faces substantial readiness constraints across core dimensions. Its weakest results are in Infrastructure (34, 16th percentile), Human Capital (21, 4th percentile), Innovation (19, 2nd percentile), GEFRI Composite (17, 2nd percentile), Governance (12, 3rd percentile) and School Access and Gender Parity (0, 10th percentile). These gaps continue to weigh on overall readiness.
Uneven scores across dimensions show where readiness conditions are less aligned. Low internet adoption slows digital participation and constrains system-wide modernization. Literacy or tertiary enrollment gaps thin the talent pipeline and limit the country’s capacity to develop future-ready skills.
Sparse R&D investment and a small research workforce slow experimentation and delay new ideas from reaching learners. Policy execution and regulatory capacity remain weak, leaving reforms fragmented and hard to sustain. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.
Some indicators are imputed, so the profile should be read with moderate caution.
Key insights
Falls below many peers at the 2nd percentile.
Places 174th worldwide.
Holds a regional position of 8th within South Asia.
Scores range from Infrastructure (33.9) to Access & Parity (0.0), reflecting variation across dimensions.
Trails regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: South Asia
Composite GEFRI Score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | 1 | Nepal | 51.91 |
| 88 | 2 | India | 51.37 |
| 98 | 3 | Sri Lanka | 48.87 |
| 110 | 4 | MaldivesFCS | 43.04 |
| 117 | 5 | Bangladesh | 38.17 |
| 118 | 6 | Bhutan | 38.12 |
| 138 | 7 | Pakistan | 31.34 |
| 174 | 8 | AfghanistanFCS | 16.98 |