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URLhttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-47391821
Last Crawled2026-03-17 22:08:27 (21 days ago)
First Indexed2019-08-28 23:45:19 (6 years ago)
HTTP Status Code200
Meta TitleAfghanistan: What has the conflict cost the US and its allies?
Meta DescriptionHow much has been spent on foreign military intervention in Afghanistan over the past two decades?
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3 September 2021 Reality Check team BBC News Getty Images US forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001 With the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and the takeover by the Taliban, we've looked at how much the US and its Nato allies have spent in the country in 20 years of military operations. What forces were sent in? The US invaded in October 2001 to oust the Taliban, whom they said were harbouring Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 attacks. US troop numbers grew as Washington poured in billions of dollars to fight a Taliban insurgency and fund reconstruction, peaking at about 110,000 in 2011. Last year, there were just 4,000 US troops. Other countries were also part of the foreign troop presence in the country, including other members of the Nato alliance. But the US had by far the biggest single contingent. What is the Nato defence alliance? Nato formally ended its combat mission in December 2014, but kept a 13,000-strong force there to help train Afghan forces and support counter-terrorism operations. Getty Images Nato forces have helped with training the Afghan National Army There have also been significant numbers of private security contractors in Afghanistan. This included as of the last quarter of 2020 more than 7,800 US citizens, according to US Congress research. How much money has been spent? The vast majority of spending in Afghanistan has come from the US. Following the final withdrawal of US troops, President Joe Biden quoted two figures for the total cost of the war. He said: "After more than $2 trillion spent in Afghanistan... [or] you could take the number of $1tn, as many say." Between 2010 to 2012, when the US for a time had more than 100,000 soldiers in the country, the cost of the war grew to more than $100bn a year, according to US government figures. As the US military shifted its focus away from offensive operations and concentrated more on training up Afghan forces, costs fell sharply to about $45bn in recent years. That brings the total cost, based on official data, to about $955bn between 2001 and 2020 - close to the lower $1tn estimate given by Mr Biden. Getty Images The US has been helping with reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan The $2tn figure referenced by President Biden is based on a recent study by Brown University , which includes interest on debt used to finance the war and expenses such as veterans' care. This study also includes spending in Pakistan, which the US used as a base for Afghan-related operations, and runs through to the 2022 fiscal year based on requested money. It found that costs of the war (and future commitments) in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2022 amount to $2.3tn. The UK and Germany - who had the largest numbers of troops in Afghanistan after the US - spent an estimated $30bn and $19bn respectively over the course of the war. Despite pulling out nearly all their troops, the US and Nato have promised a total of $4bn a year until 2024 to fund Afghanistan's own forces. Where has the money gone? The bulk of the money spent in Afghanistan has been on counter-insurgency operations, and on the needs of troops such as food, clothing, medical care, special pay and benefits. More than half was spent on building up Afghan security forces, including the Afghan National Army and police force. Nearly $36bn has been allocated for governance and development, while smaller amounts were also allocated for anti-drug efforts and for humanitarian aid. Getty Images Afghan security forces have suffered heavy casualties Some of this money has been lost to waste, fraud and abuse over the years. What about the human cost? Since the war against the Taliban began in 2001, there have been more than 3,500 coalition deaths, of which more than 2,300 have been US soldiers. More than 450 UK troops have died. A further 20,660 US soldiers have been injured in action. Getty Images But these casualty figures are dwarfed by the loss of life among Afghan security forces and civilians. President Ghani said in 2019 that more than 45,000 members of the Afghan security forces had been killed since he became president five years earlier.
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The US invaded in October 2001 to oust the Taliban, whom they said were harbouring Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 attacks. US troop numbers grew as Washington poured in billions of dollars to fight a Taliban insurgency and fund reconstruction, peaking at about 110,000 in 2011. ![US troops in Afghanistan](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Last year, there were just 4,000 US troops. Official data [may not always include special operations forces, and other temporary units.](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/14/world/asia/us-troops-afghanistan.html) Other countries were also part of the foreign troop presence in the country, including other members of the Nato alliance. But the US had by far the biggest single contingent. - [What is the Nato defence alliance?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18023383) Nato formally ended its combat mission in December 2014, but kept a 13,000-strong force there to help train Afghan forces and support counter-terrorism operations. ![Getty Images Afghan army](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images Nato forces have helped with training the Afghan National Army There have also been significant numbers of private security contractors in Afghanistan. This included as of the last quarter of 2020 more than 7,800 US citizens, [according to US Congress research.](https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R44116.pdf) ## How much money has been spent? The vast majority of spending in Afghanistan has come from the US. Following the final withdrawal of US troops, President Joe Biden quoted two figures for the total cost of the war. He said: "After more than \$2 trillion spent in Afghanistan... \[or\] you could take the number of \$1tn, as many say." ![Cost of war in Afghanistan for US](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Between 2010 to 2012, when the US for a time had more than 100,000 soldiers in the country, the cost of the war grew to more than \$100bn a year, according to US government figures. As the US military shifted its focus away from offensive operations and concentrated more on training up Afghan forces, costs fell sharply to about \$45bn in recent years. [According to the US Department of Defense](https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2021-04-30qr-section2-funding.pdf), the total military expenditure in Afghanistan (from October 2001 until December 2020) was \$825bn, with about another \$130bn spent on reconstruction projects. That brings the total cost, based on official data, to about \$955bn between 2001 and 2020 - close to the lower \$1tn estimate given by Mr Biden. ![Getty Images US soldier helping to set up local polling station](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images The US has been helping with reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan The \$2tn figure referenced by President Biden is based on [a recent study by Brown University](https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/figures/2021/human-and-budgetary-costs-date-us-war-afghanistan-2001-2022), which includes interest on debt used to finance the war and expenses such as veterans' care. This study also includes spending in Pakistan, which the US used as a base for Afghan-related operations, and runs through to the 2022 fiscal year based on requested money. It found that costs of the war (and future commitments) in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2022 amount to \$2.3tn. The UK and Germany - who had the largest numbers of troops in Afghanistan after the US - spent an estimated \$30bn and \$19bn respectively over the course of the war. Despite pulling out nearly all their troops, the US and Nato have promised a total of \$4bn a year until 2024 to fund Afghanistan's own forces. ## Where has the money gone? The bulk of the money spent in Afghanistan has been on counter-insurgency operations, and on the needs of troops such as food, clothing, medical care, special pay and benefits. Official data shows that since 2002, the US has also [spent \$131.3bn on reconstruction activities in Afghanistan.](https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2021-04-30qr-section2-funding.pdf) More than half was spent on building up Afghan security forces, including the Afghan National Army and police force. Nearly \$36bn has been allocated for governance and development, while smaller amounts were also allocated for anti-drug efforts and for humanitarian aid. ![Getty Images An Afghan honour guard carries the coffin of a policemen](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images Afghan security forces have suffered heavy casualties Some of this money has been lost to waste, fraud and abuse over the years. In a report to the US Congress in October 2020, the watchdog responsible for the oversight of reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan estimated that [about \$19bn had been lost this way between May 2009 and December 31, 2019.](https://www.sigar.mil/pdf/quarterlyreports/2020-10-30qr-section2.pdf) ## What about the human cost? Since the war against the Taliban began in 2001, there have been more than 3,500 coalition deaths, of which more than 2,300 have been US soldiers. More than 450 UK troops have died. A further 20,660 US soldiers have been injured in action. ![Getty Images Grave at Arlington National Cemetery in US](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images But these casualty figures are dwarfed by the loss of life among Afghan security forces and civilians. President Ghani said in 2019 that more than 45,000 members of the Afghan security forces had been killed since he became president five years earlier. Brown University's research in 2019 estimated the loss of life amongst the national military and police in Afghanistan [to be more than 64,100 since October 2001, when the war began.](https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/files/cow/imce/papers/2019/Direct%20War%20Deaths%20COW%20Estimate%20November%2013%202019%20FINAL.pdf) ![Civilian casualties in Afghanistan](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) [And according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama)](https://news.un.org/en/story/2021/02/1085442), nearly 111,000 civilians have been killed or injured since it began systematically recording civilian casualties in 2009. ![Presentational grey line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Reality Check branding](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) [Read more from Reality Check](http://www.bbc.co.uk/realitycheck) [Send us your questions](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41928747) [Follow us on Twitter](https://twitter.com/bbcrealitycheck) [Afghan and US forces 'deadliest for civilians'](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-49165676) [What could peace in Afghanistan look like?](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-47733079) [War in Afghanistan (2001-present)](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c6n97z84601t) [Afghanistan](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/c8nq32jw5r5t) [BBC Verify](https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cp7r8vgl2rgt) *** More from the BBC [3 hrs ago ![A doctor takes notes at a hospital in Kabul, where three men sit in hospital beds. Two of them have bandages - one to a leg, and another to his arm. The bandaged leg of a fourth men can be seen in the side of the shot.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Air strike hit Kabul rehab centre as patients ate dinner, survivor tells BBC The exact number killed in Monday night's strike by Pakistan is still not known, but is feared to be in the hundreds. 3 hrs ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg1kgz6wkgo) [9 hrs ago ![A man walks through debris lying in a ward of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026.](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Pakistan air strike kills at least 100 at Kabul drug rehab centre Some of the bodies were injured beyond recognition, forensic laboratory sources told the BBC. 9 hrs ago](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g8n7e0l40o) [6 days ago ![Afghanistan celebrate victory following the ICC Men's T20 World Cup match between Afghanistan and United Arab Emirates at Arun Jaitley Stadium on February 16, 2026 in Delhi, India](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Afghanistan series with Sri Lanka in UAE postponed Afghanistan's upcoming series against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates has been postponed until the end of the year because of conflict in the Middle East. 6 days ago](https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/c70kg9eejleo) [8 Mar 2026 ![Promo for T20 World Cup](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Men's T20 World Cup 2026 - fixtures & results Fixtures, results and scorecards for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. 8 Mar 2026](https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/cgrdlnz88ljo) [8 Mar 2026 ![A split picture of Pakistan's Sahibzada Farhan holds his bat up to ackowledge a fifty and India's Jasprit Bumrah pumps his fist after taking a wicket](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Men's T20 World Cup top run-scorers & wicket-takers BBC Sport lists the best performing batters and bowlers from the Men's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. 8 Mar 2026](https://www.bbc.com/sport/cricket/articles/crl433ljkw4o) *** - [Home](https://www.bbc.com/) - [News](https://www.bbc.com/news) - [Sport](https://www.bbc.com/sport) - [Business](https://www.bbc.com/business) - [Technology](https://www.bbc.com/technology) - [Health](https://www.bbc.com/health) - [Culture](https://www.bbc.com/culture) - [Arts](https://www.bbc.com/arts) - [Travel](https://www.bbc.com/travel) - [Earth](https://www.bbc.com/future-planet) - 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3 September 2021 Reality Check teamBBC News ![Getty Images US troops in Kandahar](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/480/cpsprodpb/379D/production/_111073241_us_kandahar.jpg.webp)Getty Images US forces have been in Afghanistan since 2001 **With the withdrawal of foreign forces from Afghanistan and the takeover by the Taliban, we've looked at how much the US and its Nato allies have spent in the country in 20 years of military operations.** What forces were sent in? The US invaded in October 2001 to oust the Taliban, whom they said were harbouring Osama Bin Laden and other al-Qaeda figures linked to the 9/11 attacks. US troop numbers grew as Washington poured in billions of dollars to fight a Taliban insurgency and fund reconstruction, peaking at about 110,000 in 2011. ![US troops in Afghanistan](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Last year, there were just 4,000 US troops. Other countries were also part of the foreign troop presence in the country, including other members of the Nato alliance. But the US had by far the biggest single contingent. - [What is the Nato defence alliance?](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-18023383) Nato formally ended its combat mission in December 2014, but kept a 13,000-strong force there to help train Afghan forces and support counter-terrorism operations. ![Getty Images Afghan army](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images Nato forces have helped with training the Afghan National Army There have also been significant numbers of private security contractors in Afghanistan. This included as of the last quarter of 2020 more than 7,800 US citizens, [according to US Congress research.](https://fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/R44116.pdf) How much money has been spent? The vast majority of spending in Afghanistan has come from the US. Following the final withdrawal of US troops, President Joe Biden quoted two figures for the total cost of the war. He said: "After more than \$2 trillion spent in Afghanistan... \[or\] you could take the number of \$1tn, as many say." ![Cost of war in Afghanistan for US](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) Between 2010 to 2012, when the US for a time had more than 100,000 soldiers in the country, the cost of the war grew to more than \$100bn a year, according to US government figures. As the US military shifted its focus away from offensive operations and concentrated more on training up Afghan forces, costs fell sharply to about \$45bn in recent years. That brings the total cost, based on official data, to about \$955bn between 2001 and 2020 - close to the lower \$1tn estimate given by Mr Biden. ![Getty Images US soldier helping to set up local polling station](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images The US has been helping with reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan The \$2tn figure referenced by President Biden is based on [a recent study by Brown University](https://watson.brown.edu/costsofwar/figures/2021/human-and-budgetary-costs-date-us-war-afghanistan-2001-2022), which includes interest on debt used to finance the war and expenses such as veterans' care. This study also includes spending in Pakistan, which the US used as a base for Afghan-related operations, and runs through to the 2022 fiscal year based on requested money. It found that costs of the war (and future commitments) in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2022 amount to \$2.3tn. The UK and Germany - who had the largest numbers of troops in Afghanistan after the US - spent an estimated \$30bn and \$19bn respectively over the course of the war. Despite pulling out nearly all their troops, the US and Nato have promised a total of \$4bn a year until 2024 to fund Afghanistan's own forces. Where has the money gone? The bulk of the money spent in Afghanistan has been on counter-insurgency operations, and on the needs of troops such as food, clothing, medical care, special pay and benefits. More than half was spent on building up Afghan security forces, including the Afghan National Army and police force. Nearly \$36bn has been allocated for governance and development, while smaller amounts were also allocated for anti-drug efforts and for humanitarian aid. ![Getty Images An Afghan honour guard carries the coffin of a policemen](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images Afghan security forces have suffered heavy casualties Some of this money has been lost to waste, fraud and abuse over the years. What about the human cost? Since the war against the Taliban began in 2001, there have been more than 3,500 coalition deaths, of which more than 2,300 have been US soldiers. More than 450 UK troops have died. A further 20,660 US soldiers have been injured in action. ![Getty Images Grave at Arlington National Cemetery in US](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)Getty Images But these casualty figures are dwarfed by the loss of life among Afghan security forces and civilians. President Ghani said in 2019 that more than 45,000 members of the Afghan security forces had been killed since he became president five years earlier. ![Civilian casualties in Afghanistan](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Presentational grey line](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp) ![Reality Check branding](https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/1024x1024/p0hq72jn.png.webp)
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