The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1990 to 2025 Asia
Languages Afghanistan, in 36 editions.
The entry for Afghanistan published Languages in 36 editions of 36, from 1990 to 2025. The text changed in 18 editions. Each is shown as published. Languages in every entry.
- editions changed the text
- 18
- the first edition with it
- 1990
- the latest edition with it
- 2025
Published as “Language” (1990 to 1991) and “Languages” (1992 to 2025).
field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe edition shownChoose an edition on the strip beside the text, or step through them with the arrows. Mark changes compares it with the edition before: the marks are ours, words added and words removed.
2025 edition
Same as 2024Published as “Language”
50% Pashtu, 35% Afghan Persian (Dari), 11% Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen), 4% thirty minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai); much bilingualism
50% Pashtu, 35% Afghan Persian (Dari), 11% Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen), 4% thirty minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai); much bilingualism
Published as “Language”
- Pashtu 50%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 35%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%;
- much bilingualism
50% Pashtu, 35% Pashtu 50%, Afghan Persian (Dari), 11% (Dari) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen), 4% thirty Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai); Pashai) 4%; much bilingualism
- Pashtu 35%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%;
- much bilingualism
Pashtu 50%, 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 35%, 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and
Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%; much
bilingualism
- Pashtu 35%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and
Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%; 4%, much
bilingualism
- Pashtu 35%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily
Uzbek and
Pashai) 4%, much
- Pashtu 35%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily
(primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and
and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
The same text in 3 editions, 1996 to 1998.
- Pashtu 35%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages
(primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi
Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
- Pashtu 35%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages
languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily
(primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
The same text in 4 editions, 2000 to 2003.
- Pashtu 35%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Pashtu 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic
- Pashtu (official) 35%,
- Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Pashtu (official) 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) 50%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
The same text in 2005 and 2006.
- Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%,
- Pashtu (official) 35%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Pashtu (official) 35%, Afghan Persian (Dari) or Dari (official) 50%, Pashtu (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
The same text in 5 editions, 2007 to 2011.
- Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%,
- Pashto (official) 35%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashtu Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism
The same text in 3 editions, 2012 to 2014.
- Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%,
- Pashto (official) 35%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism,
- but Dari functions as the lingua franca
note: the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashai, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism bilingualism, but Dari functions as the lingua franca
note:
the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashai, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
The same text in 3 editions, 2015 to 2017.
- Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%,
- Pashto (official) 35%,
- Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%,
- 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%,
- much bilingualism,
- but Dari functions as the lingua franca
note: the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashai, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, much bilingualism, but Dari functions as the lingua franca
note:
- Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 80% (Dari functions as the lingua franca),
- Pashto (official) 47%,
- Uzbek 11%,
- English 5%,
- Turkmen 2%,
- Urdu 2%,
- Pashayi 1%,
- Nuristani 1%,
- Arabic 1%,
- Balochi,
- Shughni,
- Pamiri,
- Hindi,
- Russian,
- German,
- French (2017 est.)
note: data represent most widely spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because there is much bilingualism in the country and because respondents were allowed to select more than one language note: the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 50%, 80% (Dari functions as the lingua franca), Pashto (official) 35%, Turkic languages (primarily 47%, Uzbek and Turkmen) 11%, 30 minor languages (primarily Balochi and Pashai) 4%, English 5%, Turkmen 2%, Urdu 2%, Pashayi 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi, Shughni, Pamiri, Hindi, Russian, German, French (2017 est.)
note: data represent most widely spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because there is much bilingualism, but Dari functions as bilingualism in the lingua francacountry and because respondents were allowed to select more than one language note: the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashai, Pashayi, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
The same text in 2019 and 2020.
note: data represent most widely spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because there is much bilingualism in the country and because respondents were allowed to select more than one language note: the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 80% 77% (Dari functions as the lingua franca), Pashto (official) 47%, 48%, Uzbek 11%, English 5%, 6%, Turkmen 2%, 3%, Urdu 2%, 3%, Pashayi 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi, Shughni, Pamiri, Hindi, Russian, German, French Balochi 1% (2017 est.)
note: data represent most widely spoken languages; shares sum to more than 100% because there is much bilingualism in the country and because respondents were allowed to select more than one language note: the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashayi, Nuristani, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
- Afghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua franca) 77%,
- Pashto (official) 48%,
- Uzbeki 11%,
- English 6%,
- Turkmani 3%,
- Urdu 3%,
- Pachaie 1%,
- Nuristani 1%,
- Arabic 1%,
- Balochi 1%,
- other <1% (2020 est.)
- major-language sample(s):
کتاب حقایق جهان، مرجعی ضروری برای اطلاعات اولیە (Dari) د دنیا د حقائېقو کتاب، بنیادی معلوماتو لپاره ضروری سرچینه- (Pashto)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note 1: percentages sum toi more than 100% because many people are multilingual
note 2: Uzbeki, Turkmani, Pachaie, Nuristani, Balochi, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
Afghan Persian or Dari (official) 77% (Dari functions as the (official, lingua franca), franca) 77%, Pashto (official) 48%, Uzbek Uzbeki 11%, English 6%, Turkmen Turkmani 3%, Urdu 3%, Pashayi Pachaie 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi 1% (2017 1%, other <1% (2020 est.)note: data represent most widely spoken languages; shares major-language sample(s):
کتاب حقایق جهان، مرجعی ضروری برای اطلاعات اولیە (Dari) د دنیا د حقائېقو کتاب، بنیادی معلوماتو لپاره ضروری سرچینه- (Pashto)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note 1: percentages sum to toi more than 100% because there is much bilingualism in the country and because respondents were allowed to select more than one language note: the Turkic languages Uzbek and Turkmen, as well as Balochi, Pashayi, many people are multilingual
note 2: Uzbeki, Turkmani, Pachaie, Nuristani, Balochi, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
The same text in 2022 and 2023.
- Afghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua franca) 77%,
- Pashto (official) 48%,
- Uzbeki 11%,
- English 6%,
- Turkmani 3%,
- Urdu 3%,
- Pachaie 1%,
- Nuristani 1%,
- Arabic 1%,
- Balochi 1%,
- other <1% (2020 est.)
- major-language sample(s):
کتاب حقایق جهان، مرجعی ضروری برای اطلاعات اولیە (Dari) د دنیا د حقائېقو کتاب، بنیادی معلوماتو لپاره ضروری سرچینه- (Pashto)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note 1: percentages sum to more than 100% because many people are multilingual
note 2: Uzbeki, Turkmani, Pachaie, Nuristani, Balochi, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
Afghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua franca) 77%, Pashto (official) 48%, Uzbeki 11%, English 6%, Turkmani 3%, Urdu 3%, Pachaie 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi 1%, other <1% (2020 est.)
major-language sample(s):
کتاب حقایق جهان، مرجعی ضروری برای اطلاعات اولیە (Dari) د دنیا د حقائېقو کتاب، بنیادی معلوماتو لپاره ضروری سرچینه- (Pashto)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note 1: percentages sum toi to more than 100% because many people are multilingual
note 2: Uzbeki, Turkmani, Pachaie, Nuristani, Balochi, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
The same text in 2024 and 2025.
- Afghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua franca) 77%,
- Pashto (official) 48%,
- Uzbeki 11%,
- English 6%,
- Turkmani 3%,
- Urdu 3%,
- Pashaie 1%,
- Nuristani 1%,
- Arabic 1%,
- Balochi 1%,
- other <1% (2020 est.)
- major-language sample(s):
کتاب حقایق جهان، مرجعی ضروری برای اطلاعات اولیە (Dari) د دنیا د حقائېقو کتاب، بنیادی معلوماتو لپاره ضروری سرچینه- (Pashto)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note 1: percentages sum to more than 100% because many people are multilingual
note 2: Uzbeki, Turkmani, Pashaie, Nuristani, Balochi, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
Afghan Persian or Dari (official, lingua franca) 77%, Pashto (official) 48%, Uzbeki 11%, English 6%, Turkmani 3%, Urdu 3%, Pachaie Pashaie 1%, Nuristani 1%, Arabic 1%, Balochi 1%, other <1% (2020 est.)
major-language sample(s):
کتاب حقایق جهان، مرجعی ضروری برای اطلاعات اولیە (Dari) د دنیا د حقائېقو کتاب، بنیادی معلوماتو لپاره ضروری سرچینه- (Pashto)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
note 1: percentages sum to more than 100% because many people are multilingual
note 2: Uzbeki, Turkmani, Pachaie, Pashaie, Nuristani, Balochi, and Pamiri are the third official languages in areas where the majority speaks them
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Cite this page
Central Intelligence Agency. “Afghanistan: Languages.” The World Factbook, 1990–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/afghanistan/languages.