Focus on Afghanistan
Afghanistan – About the Size of Texas
The population of Afghanistan is around 49.5 million as of 2025. Approximately 43% of the population is under 15 years of age, and 74% of all Afghans live in rural areas. The average woman gives birth to five children during her entire life, the highest fertility rate outside of Africa. The average life expectancy of the nation was reported in 2019 at around 63 years.
Pashto and Dari are the official languages of the country. Dari functions as the primary language for the vast majority. Dari is a dialect of Farsi (Persian).
Missionary Facts from Voice of the Martyrs99.8 percent of Afghans are Muslims, with 90 percent Sunni and 10 percent Shiite. And sadly, most Afghans have never heard the gospel, do not know a Christian and have been indoctrinated to follow Muhammad’s teachings without question. Radical Islam and violent tribal political activity make the nation a difficult and dangerous place for Christians to practice their faith.
Both local and national governments are highly antagonistic toward Christians. Extremist groups, including the Taliban and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS), are active, and believers are also persecuted by their families, friends and communities.
Afghan Christians cannot worship openly. They must worship in homes or other small venues, and evangelism is forbidden. Christians and seekers are highly secretive about their faith or interest in Christianity, especially since the resurgence of the Taliban. Beatings, torture and kidnappings are routine for Christians in Afghanistan.
Since there are no traditional church buildings or Christian bookstores in Afghanistan, Bibles are available only through underground ministry networks or in digital formats. There is little access to printed Bibles, and owning one is extremely dangerous. Most believers do not have their own Bible, but online Bibles and other digital formats are available and extremely helpful to believers and seekers.
Pashto and Dari are the official languages of the country. Dari functions as the primary language for the vast majority. Dari is a dialect of Farsi (Persian).
Missionary Facts from Voice of the Martyrs99.8 percent of Afghans are Muslims, with 90 percent Sunni and 10 percent Shiite. And sadly, most Afghans have never heard the gospel, do not know a Christian and have been indoctrinated to follow Muhammad’s teachings without question. Radical Islam and violent tribal political activity make the nation a difficult and dangerous place for Christians to practice their faith.
Both local and national governments are highly antagonistic toward Christians. Extremist groups, including the Taliban and the self-proclaimed Islamic State (ISIS), are active, and believers are also persecuted by their families, friends and communities.
Afghan Christians cannot worship openly. They must worship in homes or other small venues, and evangelism is forbidden. Christians and seekers are highly secretive about their faith or interest in Christianity, especially since the resurgence of the Taliban. Beatings, torture and kidnappings are routine for Christians in Afghanistan.
Since there are no traditional church buildings or Christian bookstores in Afghanistan, Bibles are available only through underground ministry networks or in digital formats. There is little access to printed Bibles, and owning one is extremely dangerous. Most believers do not have their own Bible, but online Bibles and other digital formats are available and extremely helpful to believers and seekers.
Pray for Afghanistan's people at the link below.