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Economy of Afghanistan vs Armenia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $25.8B for Armenia, ranking 137/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.42B in government debt (8.25% of GDP), compared to $13B (54.5% of GDP) in Armenia.

The chart below compares the two countries' GDP growth in both current (nominal) and constant dollars, accounting for inflation over time.

Afghanistan
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Armenia
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Year GDP
Afghanistan Armenia
Current $ Constant $ Current $ Constant $
1990 - - $2,256,863,449 $5,839,777,094
1991 - - $2,069,870,130 $5,156,523,263
1992 - - $1,272,835,453 $3,001,096,397
1993 - - $1,201,312,829 $2,736,999,951
1994 - - $1,315,158,637 $2,884,798,024
1995 - - $1,468,317,435 $3,083,849,042
1996 - - $1,596,968,946 $3,264,729,147
1997 - - $1,639,492,445 $3,373,153,404
1998 - - $1,893,726,437 $3,619,393,602
1999 - - $1,845,482,173 $3,738,833,591
2000 $3,521,418,060 $6,206,547,590 $1,911,563,669 $3,959,424,773
2001 $2,813,571,754 $5,621,147,631 $2,118,467,913 $4,339,529,551
2002 $3,825,701,439 $7,228,795,919 $2,376,335,048 $4,912,347,451
2003 $4,520,946,819 $7,867,263,256 $2,807,061,009 $5,600,076,095
2004 $5,224,896,719 $7,978,515,642 $3,576,615,240 $6,188,084,085
2005 $6,203,256,539 $8,874,480,196 $4,900,469,511 $7,048,227,772
2006 $6,971,758,282 $9,349,921,886 $6,384,452,067 $7,978,593,838
2007 $9,747,886,187 $10,642,671,963 $9,206,301,270 $9,071,661,194
2008 $10,109,297,048 $11,060,395,116 $11,662,040,714 $9,697,605,817
2009 $12,416,152,732 $13,426,272,073 $8,647,937,081 $8,330,243,396
2010 $15,856,668,556 $15,354,612,542 $9,260,285,756 $8,513,508,751
2011 $17,805,098,206 $15,420,077,666 $10,142,111,825 $8,913,643,662
2012 $19,907,329,778 $17,386,490,239 $10,619,320,683 $9,555,426,006
2013 $20,146,416,758 $18,360,263,163 $11,121,464,437 $9,870,755,064
2014 $20,497,128,556 $18,860,496,494 $11,609,513,247 $10,226,102,247
2015 $19,134,221,645 $19,134,221,645 $10,553,337,518 $10,553,337,518
2016 $18,116,572,395 $19,566,715,174 $10,546,136,236 $10,574,444,193
2017 $18,753,456,498 $20,084,646,751 $11,527,458,709 $11,367,527,508
2018 $18,053,222,687 $20,323,499,020 $12,457,940,695 $11,958,638,938
2019 $18,799,444,490 $21,118,473,702 $13,619,290,539 $12,867,495,498
2020 $19,955,929,052 $20,621,957,125 $12,641,698,583 $11,941,035,822
2021 $14,259,995,441 $16,345,202,563 $13,878,908,629 $12,633,615,900
2022 $14,497,243,872 $15,325,233,810 $19,513,506,553 $14,225,451,503
2023 $17,152,234,637 $15,672,648,238 $24,085,749,592 $15,406,163,978
2024 - - $25,786,585,950 $16,315,127,652

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Armenia
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$25.8B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
116/197
2024
GDP growth
18.3%
2022-2023
7.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$8,501
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
92/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$22,823
2024
Government debt
$1.42B
2023
$13B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.25%
2023
54.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$34.2
2023
$4,276
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
89/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,632
2025
$6,696
2025
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.85B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2023
30.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
8.3%
2023
Population
44810409
3011581

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Armenia

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $8,501 in Armenia, ranking 92/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Armenia ranks 84th at $22,823.

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Armenia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Year Current $
Afghanistan Armenia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
1990 - - $635 $2,760
1991 - - $573 $2,477
1992 - - $356 $1,492
1993 - - $348 $1,440
1994 - - $391 $1,591
1995 - - $444 $1,767
1996 - - $487 $1,922
1997 - - $505 $2,040
1998 - - $590 $2,239
1999 - - $583 $2,377
2000 $174.9 $814 $593 $2,531
2001 $138.7 $748 $660 $2,844
2002 $179 $927 $743 $3,282
2003 $198.9 $967 $882 $3,836
2004 $221.8 $972 $1,130 $4,377
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $1,557 $5,172
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $2,042 $6,073
2007 $376 $1,287 $2,963 $7,137
2008 $382 $1,334 $3,778 $7,827
2009 $452 $1,571 $2,821 $6,812
2010 $561 $1,766 $3,041 $7,095
2011 $607 $1,744 $3,350 $7,624
2012 $651 $1,988 $3,512 $8,943
2013 $637 $2,133 $3,680 $9,455
2014 $625 $2,224 $3,852 $9,736
2015 $566 $2,284 $3,512 $9,757
2016 $522 $2,213 $3,524 $10,570
2017 $525 $2,336 $3,869 $12,066
2018 $491 $2,432 $4,196 $12,877
2019 $497 $2,583 $4,597 $14,976
2020 $511 $2,562 $4,269 $14,706
2021 $356 $2,144 $4,685 $15,922
2022 $357 $2,123 $6,572 $19,161
2023 $414 $2,202 $8,125 $21,534
2024 - - $8,501 $22,823

Spending and national debt comparison

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Armenia's spent $7.54B, or 30.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.25% in Afghanistan and 54.5% in Armenia, ranking 181/185 and 97/185, respectively.

Afghanistan
Government spending

Government debt
Armenia
Government spending

Government debt
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Armenia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
1996 - - - 40.8%
1997 - - - 46.5%
1998 - - - 45.2%
1999 - - - 39.2%
2000 - - - 39.6%
2001 - - - 38.1%
2002 6.94% 346% - 38.2%
2003 11.9% 270.6% - 33%
2004 15.1% 245% - 26.4%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 19.9% 24.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 20% 18.7%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 22.4% 16.1%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 22.2% 16.1%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 28.6% 40.2%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 26.2% 39.7%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 25% 42%
2012 25% 6.76% 22.4% 41.2%
2013 25% 6.9% 23.8% 40.9%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 24% 43.7%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 26.3% 48.7%
2016 28% 8.44% 27% 56.7%
2017 27.7% 8% 26% 58.9%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 24% 55.7%
2019 28% 6.14% 24.9% 53.7%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 30.6% 67.4%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 28.7% 63.4%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 26.4% 49.2%
2023 17% 8.25% 27% 50.7%
2024 - - 29.2% 50.3%
2025 - - 30.7% 54.5%

Government deficit by year

In 2023, Afghanistan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was -$234M, equivalent to -1.36% of GDP. This compares to Armenia's deficit of -$488M, or -2.03% of GDP.

Over the past 19 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Armenia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to -0.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of -3.19% of GDP for Armenia.

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Armenia
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Armenia
2002 -0.1% -
2003 -2.1% -
2004 -2.39% -
2005 -0.92% -1.98%
2006 0.68% -1.95%
2007 -2.46% -2.33%
2008 -3.86% -1.76%
2009 -1.76% -7.69%
2010 0.93% -4.98%
2011 -0.67% -2.87%
2012 0.18% -1.49%
2013 -0.63% -1.59%
2014 -1.72% -1.94%
2015 -1.38% -4.84%
2016 0.13% -5.63%
2017 -0.67% -4.79%
2018 1.63% -1.75%
2019 -1.06% -0.98%
2020 -2.24% -5.4%
2021 -0.48% -4.58%
2022 -1% -2.11%
2023 -1.36% -2.03%
2024 - -3.75%
2025 - -5.5%

Inflation comparison by year

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 3.93% in Armenia. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 3.3% in Armenia.

Inflation
Afghanistan

Armenia
Year Inflation
Afghanistan Armenia Afghanistan Armenia
1996 - 18.7%
1997 - 14%
1998 - 8.7%
1999 - 0.7%
2000 - -0.8%
2001 - 3.2%
2002 - 1%
2003 35.7% 4.7%
2004 16.4% 6.9%
2005 10.6% 0.6%
2006 6.8% 2.9%
2007 8.7% 4.4%
2008 26.4% 9.1%
2009 -6.8% 3.5%
2010 2.2% 8.2%
2011 11.8% 7.5%
2012 6.4% 2.5%
2013 7.4% 5.7%
2014 4.7% 3%
2015 -0.7% 3.7%
2016 4.4% -1.4%
2017 5% 0.9%
2018 0.6% 2.5%
2019 2.3% 1.5%
2020 5.6% 1.5%
2021 7.8% 7.5%
2022 10.6% 8.8%
2023 -7.7% 2%
2024 -4.3% 0.4%
2025 - 3.3%

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Armenia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $361K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Armenia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.19B
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/189
2020
127/189
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-4.63%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$15.4B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$13.2B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$4.39B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$5.86B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
75.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
76.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Afghanistan Armenia
Economic freedom 53 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 63/197
Property rights 7.4 49.9
Government integrity 14.1 50.4
Judicial effectiveness 2.7 31.3
Tax burden 91.1 88.1
Government spending 76.1 77.6
Fiscal health 99.9 81.3
Business freedom 34.6 73
Labor freedom 45.1 59.2
Monetary freedom 80.8 72.2
Trade freedom 68.6 72
Investment freedom 10 70
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom by year comparison

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 65.4 for Armenia, ranking 63/197. The chart below displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Afghanistan
Armenia
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Armenia
1996 - 42.2
1997 - 46.7
1998 - 49.6
1999 - 56.4
2000 - 63
2001 - 66.4
2002 - 68
2003 - 67.3
2004 - 70.3
2005 - 69.8
2006 - 70.6
2007 - 68.6
2008 - 69.9
2009 - 69.9
2010 - 69.2
2011 - 69.7
2012 - 68.8
2013 - 69.4
2014 - 68.9
2015 - 67.1
2016 - 67
2017 48.9 70.3
2018 51.3 68.7
2019 51.5 67.7
2020 54.7 70.6
2021 53 71.9
2022 - 65.3
2023 - 65.1
2024 - 64.9
2025 - 65.4

More economic indicators

Afghanistan Armenia
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
61.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
7.92%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$23.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$21,990
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$3.69B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
111/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$74.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20.6M
2021
$132M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30.8M
2021
$56.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
11.8%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
23.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
22.2%
2024

GDP per capita map

GDP per capita

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The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.