Afghanistan
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Critically unprepared
Afghanistan is critically unprepared for education futures (5th percentile worldwide). Core capabilities are weak across most dimensions, and essential systems face significant constraints. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 5th
- Global rank
- #170
- Regional rank
- #23
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Afghanistan trails global peers in Infrastructure (38, 18th percentile), Human Capital (22, 5th percentile), Innovation (16, 3rd percentile), Governance (15, 6th percentile), and School Access and Gender Parity (0, 14th percentile). A coordinated reform effort is needed to strengthen education futures readiness.
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. 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 leans toward boys in secondary pathways, signalling persistent barriers for girls.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Falls below many peers at the 5th percentile.
- Places 170th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 23rd within Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan.
- Scores range from Infrastructure (37.6) to Access & Parity (0.0), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Trails regional peers most clearly in Access & Parity.
Regional peers: Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | Israel | 73.92 |
| 26 | 2 | United Arab Emirates | 70.36 |
| 39 | 3 | Saudi Arabia | 65.52 |
| 40 | 4 | Malta | 64.28 |
| 57 | 5 | Kuwait | 59.77 |
| 59 | 6 | Qatar | 58.36 |
| 60 | 7 | Jordan | 58.06 |
| 64 | 8 | Bahrain | 57.37 |
| 76 | 9 | Oman | 54.61 |
| 78 | 10 | Morocco | 53.83 |
| 92 | 11 | Iran, Islamic Rep. | 50.45 |
| 95 | 12 | Egypt, Arab Rep. | 49.67 |
| 97 | 13 | Tunisia | 49.07 |
| 99 | 14 | West Bank and GazaFCS | 47.12 |
| 114 | 15 | Algeria | 38.86 |
| 122 | 16 | Djibouti | 36.23 |
| 124 | 17 | LebanonFCS | 35.78 |
| 128 | 18 | IraqFCS | 34.68 |
| 129 | 19 | LibyaFCS | 34.45 |
| 141 | 20 | Pakistan | 29.51 |
| 149 | 21 | Syrian Arab RepublicFCS | 27.28 |
| 158 | 22 | Yemen, Rep.FCS | 23.14 |
| 170 | 23 | AfghanistanFCS | 18.18 |