Afghan refugees are citizens of Afghanistan who were forced to flee from their country as a result the continuous wars that the country has suffered since the Afghan-Soviet war, the Afghan civil war, the Afghanistan war (2001–2021) or either political or religious persecution. As of 2023, there were 3.2 million internally displaced Afghans, and 6.4 million Afghan refugees living in other countries which is one of largest refugee populations in the world.

The 1978 Saur Revolution, followed by the 1979 Soviet invasion, marked the first major wave of internal displacement and international migration to neighboring Iran and Pakistan; smaller numbers also went to India or to countries of the former Soviet Union. Nearly 90% of the world’s 6.1 million Afghan refugees reside in neighboring Iran and Pakistan, with Iran hosting the largest share as of 2024. Between 1979 and 1992, more than 20% of Afghanistan's population fled the country as refugees. Following the Soviet withdrawal in 1989, many returned to Afghanistan, however many Afghans were again forced to flee during the civil war in the 90s. A total of 6.3 million Afghan refugees were living in Pakistan and Iran in 1990.

There were over 6 million Afghan refugees by 2000. Most refugees returned to Afghanistan following the 2001 United States invasion and overthrow of the Taliban regime. Between 2002 and 2012, 5.7 million refugees returned to Afghanistan, increasing the country's population by 25%. Between 2012 and 2019, 2.4 million Afghans fled the country as refugees. At the time of Taliban's return to power in 2021, 2.6 million Afghans remained refugees.

Some countries that were part of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) established special programs to allow thousands of Afghans to resettle in the Western world. As stateless refugees or asylum seekers, they are protected by the well-established non-refoulement principle and the U.N. Convention Against Torture. They receive the maximum government benefits and protections in countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. For example, those that receive green cards under 8 U.S.C. § 1159 can immediately become "non-citizen nationals of the United States" pursuant to 8 U.S.C. § 1452(b), without needing to meet the requirements of 8 U.S.C. § 1427(a). This allows them to travel with distinct United States passports. Australia provides a similar benefit to admitted refugees. Following the Iran-Israel War, Iran began the 2025 Afghan deportation from Iran which according to sources will add up to 4 million Afghans.

According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), there are over five million internally displaced people in Afghanistan as of late 2021. Military actions and violence by the warring factions usually play a major part in the displacement, although there are also reasons of major natural disasters. The Soviet invasion caused approximately 2 million Afghans to be internally displaced, mostly from rural areas into urban areas. The Afghan Civil War (1992–1996) caused a new wave of internal displacement, with many citizens moving to northern areas in order to avoid the Taliban totalitarianism. Afghanistan has long suffered from insecurity and conflict, which has led to an increase in internal displacement.

External influence over the past 50 years by both the Soviet Union and later the United States, along with actions of the currently ruling Taliban regime, have led to continued trends of displacement.

The American invasion of Afghanistan (as well as the 20 years of occupation by the United States military) has contributed to the displacement of Afghan nationals. While many justifications were given for the invasion of Afghanistan (from revenge for the 11 September terrorist attacks, to democratization & the liberation of Afghan women), the war has led to both internal and external displacement of the Afghan population. According to the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan (an organization which played a large role in showcasing the excess & violence of the Taliban), the American bombing of Afghanistan was not seen locally as "salvation," but instead caused fear that the American military would confuse civilians with members of the Taliban.

On the other hand, following the 2001 invasion and otherthrow of the Taliban, millions of Afghan refugees returned to the country. By 2012, 5.7 million had returned, increasing the population of Afghanistan by 25%.