Afghanistan is one of the poorest countries in the world, and the country’s population is estimated to be over 26 million, according to a recent census done by the Afghan Central Statistics Office. There are numerous minor cities and towns in Afghanistan. Kabul is the largest city, with a population of 3,071,400 according to recent statistics. Kandahar, the second-largest city in Afghanistan with a population of 468,200 people, and Herat, the third-largest city, are substantially smaller than Kabul.
| Rank | City Name | Province | District | Population | Year | Elevation (meters) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kabul | Kabul | 18 Disricts | 3,071,400 | 2011 | 1,791 |
| 2 | Kandahar | Kandahar | Kandahar | 512,200 | 2006 | 1,000 |
| 3 | Heart | Heart Province | - | 397,456 | 2006 | 920 |
| 4 | Mazar-i-Sharif | Balkh Province | Mazar-e Sharif District | 375,000 | 2006 | 357 |
| 5 | Kunduz | Kunduz Province | Kunduz District | 230,600 | 2006 | 391 |
| 6 | Jalalabad | Nangarhar Province | - | 205,423 | 2007 | 575 |
| 7 | Lashkar Gah | Helmand Province | Lashkar Gah district | 201,546 | 2006 | 773 |
| 8 | Taloqan | Takhar Province | Taluqan District | 196,400 | 2006 | 876 |
| 9 | Puli Khumri | Baghlan Province | Puli Khumri District | 191,640 | 2006 | 635 |
| 10 | Khost | Khost Province | Khost District | 160,214 | 2006 | - |
| 11 | Ghazni | Ghazni Province | Ghazni District | 154,618 | 2007 | 2,219 |
| 12 | Sheberghan | Jowzjan Province | - | 148,329 | 2006 | 250 |
| 13 | Sar-e Pol | Sar-e Pol Province | Sar-e Pol District | 136,000 | 2006 | 88 |
| 14 | Farah | Farah Province | - | 109,409 | 2004 | 650 |
