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Economy of Afghanistan vs Australia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $1.76T for Australia, ranking 137/197 and 14/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $891B (50.7% of GDP) in Australia.

Afghanistan vs Australia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Australia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Australia
2024 - $1,757,022,451,653
2023 $17,152,234,637 $1,734,451,264,656
2022 $14,497,243,872 $1,695,627,535,476
2021 $14,259,995,441 $1,560,617,493,203
2020 $19,955,929,052 $1,333,336,461,648
2019 $18,799,444,490 $1,398,349,602,956
2018 $18,053,222,687 $1,433,144,978,762
2017 $18,753,456,498 $1,330,890,554,614
2016 $18,116,572,395 $1,211,588,128,418
2015 $19,134,221,645 $1,356,805,839,936
2014 $20,497,128,556 $1,474,677,007,566
2013 $20,146,416,758 $1,583,737,461,925
2012 $19,907,329,778 $1,552,728,401,402
2011 $17,805,098,206 $1,402,939,868,653
2010 $15,856,668,556 $1,152,566,632,022
2009 $12,416,152,732 $931,761,689,771
2008 $10,109,297,048 $1,058,448,244,064
2007 $9,747,886,187 $856,603,595,823
2006 $6,971,758,282 $749,708,370,333
2005 $6,203,256,539 $696,811,489,613
2004 $5,224,896,719 $615,643,050,221
2003 $4,520,946,819 $468,517,181,130
2002 $3,825,701,439 $396,436,967,263
2001 $2,813,571,754 $380,360,222,861
2000 $3,521,418,060 $416,901,962,163
1999 - $390,347,787,943
1998 - $400,361,527,505
1997 - $436,321,902,767
1996 - $401,962,517,479
1995 - $368,725,126,225
1994 - $323,269,456,935
1993 - $312,568,858,910
1992 - $325,982,966,981
1991 - $326,416,407,861
1990 - $311,840,666,465
1989 - $300,264,309,002
1988 - $236,461,079,970
1987 - $189,726,707,253
1986 - $182,707,050,923
1985 - $180,861,108,959
1984 - $193,749,932,078
1983 - $177,523,719,680
1982 - $194,323,071,831
1981 - $177,151,979,566
1980 - $150,200,557,103
1979 - $135,093,718,051
1978 - $118,660,813,780
1977 - $110,504,702,914
1976 - $105,209,354,856
1975 - $97,440,939,506
1974 - $89,086,219,602
1973 - $63,923,126,201
1972 - $52,117,990,654
1971 - $45,283,847,245
1970 - $41,395,206,623
1969 - $36,738,245,878
1968 - $32,763,365,242
1967 - $30,487,524,878
1966 - $27,349,284,376
1965 - $26,014,244,162
1964 - $23,835,843,814
1963 - $21,573,443,452
1962 - $19,953,923,193
1961 - $19,713,123,154
1960 - $18,635,682,982

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/australia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Australia by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Australia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $64,604 $72,111
2023 $414 $2,202 $65,058 $72,273
2022 $357 $2,123 $65,170 $66,103
2021 $356 $2,144 $60,759 $58,327
2020 $511 $2,562 $51,983 $54,184
2019 $497 $2,583 $55,195 $52,886
2018 $491 $2,432 $57,410 $50,371
2017 $525 $2,336 $54,118 $48,565
2016 $522 $2,213 $50,084 $47,446
2015 $566 $2,284 $56,970 $46,465
2014 $625 $2,224 $62,817 $47,109
2013 $637 $2,133 $68,477 $46,123
2012 $651 $1,988 $68,301 $43,007
2011 $607 $1,744 $62,799 $42,153
2010 $561 $1,766 $52,314 $39,504
2009 $452 $1,571 $42,955 $40,434
2008 $382 $1,334 $49,811 $37,616
2007 $376 $1,287 $41,128 $36,708
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $36,659 $34,890
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $34,535 $33,090
2004 $221.8 $972 $30,886 $31,815
2003 $198.9 $967 $23,758 $30,167
2002 $179 $927 $20,335 $29,080
2001 $138.7 $748 $19,734 $27,688
2000 $174.9 $814 $21,909 $26,585
1999 - - $20,750 $25,531
1998 - - $21,516 $24,386
1997 - - $23,683 $23,142
1996 - - $22,056 $22,134
1995 - - $20,479 $21,050
1994 - - $18,156 $20,174
1993 - - $17,725 $19,220
1992 - - $18,650 $18,259
1991 - - $18,885 $17,839
1990 - - $18,274 $17,385
1989 - - $17,858 -
1988 - - $14,303 -
1987 - - $11,666 -
1986 - - $11,406 -
1985 - - $11,455 -
1984 - - $12,436 -
1983 - - $11,532 -
1982 - - $12,798 -
1981 - - $11,871 -
1980 - - $10,223 -
1979 - - $9,308 -
1978 - - $8,264 -
1977 - - $7,786 -
1976 - - $7,497 -
1975 - - $7,014 -
1974 - - $6,492 -
1973 - - $4,778 -
1972 - - $3,955 -
1971 - - $3,500 -
1970 - - $3,310 -
1969 - - $2,996 -
1968 - - $2,728 -
1967 - - $2,584 -
1966 - - $2,347 -
1965 - - $2,284 -
1964 - - $2,134 -
1963 - - $1,970 -
1962 - - $1,858 -
1961 - - $1,880 -
1960 - - $1,813 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/australia | CC BY

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $64,604 in Australia, ranking 14/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Australia
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$1.76T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
14/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
1.37%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$64,604
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
14/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$72,111
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
22/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$891B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$32,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
22/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$49,463
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.74T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,904,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
47
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.7%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
38.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
3.16%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
3.6%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.94%
2024
Population
45409324
27799169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Australia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Australia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 38.9% 50.7%
2023 17% 8.42% 37.6% 49.6%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 37.6% 50.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 41.8% 55.5%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 44.4% 57.1%
2019 28% 6.14% 38.9% 46.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 36.9% 41.8%
2017 27.7% 8% 36.8% 41.2%
2016 28% 8.44% 37.3% 40.6%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 37.3% 37.7%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 36.7% 34%
2013 25% 6.92% 36.4% 30.5%
2012 25% 6.77% 36.5% 27.5%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 36.3% 24%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 37% 20.3%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 37.8% 16.6%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 35.1% 11.7%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 34.3% 9.67%
2006 18.3% 23% 34.5% 9.94%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 34.6% 10.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 34.8% 11.9%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 34.9% 13.2%
2002 6.94% 346% 34.9% 15%
2001 - - 35.6% 17.1%
2000 - - 35.2% 19.5%
1999 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1998 - - 34.6% 23.7%
1997 - - 32.8% 25.9%
1996 - - 33.5% 29.3%
1995 - - 33.7% 31.1%
1994 - - 33.7% 31.7%
1993 - - 34.1% 30.7%
1992 - - 34.1% 27.6%
1991 - - 33.1% 21.6%
1990 - - 30.5% 16.4%
1989 - - 34.5% 17%
1988 - - 34.6% 20.5%
1987 - - 36% 25.2%
1986 - - 38.4% 25.5%
1985 - - 38.7% 24%
1984 - - 38.4% 22.3%
1983 - - 37% 21%
1982 - - 36.7% 16.8%
1981 - - 33.4% 19.1%
1980 - - 33.2% 21.2%
1979 - - 32.5% 22.8%
1978 - - 33.2% 24.7%
1977 - - 34.1% 23.6%
1976 - - 33.3% 22.9%
1975 - - 33% 23.6%
1974 - - 30.9% 22.3%
1973 - - 26.6% 27.3%
1972 - - 27% 30.7%
1971 - - 26.1% 32.2%
1970 - - 25.3% 34.9%
1969 - - 24.7% 36.7%
1968 - - 25.3% 39.4%
1967 - - 26.4% 40.5%
1966 - - 25.6% 42.4%
1965 - - 25.8% 43.7%
1964 - - 23.5% 44.9%
1963 - - 23% 47.5%
1962 - - 22.7% 50.2%
1961 - - 23.3% 49.3%
1960 - - 21.8% 48.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/australia | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Australia spent $684B, or 38.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 50.7% in Australia, ranking 181/185 and 104/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Australia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Australia
2024 -0.54% -2.25%
2023 -1.33% -1.27%
2022 -1% -2.21%
2021 -0.48% -6.37%
2020 -2.24% -8.73%
2019 -1.06% -4.41%
2018 1.63% -1.26%
2017 -0.67% -1.72%
2016 0.13% -2.42%
2015 -1.38% -2.79%
2014 -1.72% -2.92%
2013 -0.63% -2.81%
2012 0.18% -3.51%
2011 -0.67% -4.53%
2010 0.93% -5.12%
2009 -1.76% -4.56%
2008 -3.86% -1.1%
2007 -2.46% 1.47%
2006 0.68% 1.77%
2005 -0.92% 1.71%
2004 -2.39% 1.32%
2003 -2.1% 1.05%
2002 -0.1% 0.19%
2001 - -0.03%
2000 - 1.25%
1999 - 0.67%
1998 - -0.25%
1997 - -0.49%
1996 - -1.46%
1995 - -2.6%
1994 - -3.79%
1993 - -4.73%
1992 - -4.74%
1991 - -2.79%
1990 - -0.23%
1989 - -1.29%
1988 - -0.77%
1987 - -1.66%
1986 - -3.5%
1985 - -5.24%
1984 - -5.48%
1983 - -5.66%
1982 - -5.19%
1981 - -3.25%
1980 - -2.87%
1979 - -2.32%
1978 - -4.19%
1977 - -4.39%
1976 - -3.44%
1975 - -3.47%
1974 - -2.46%
1973 - 0.16%
1972 - -0.97%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.23%
1969 - 0.53%
1968 - -0.7%
1967 - -1.65%
1966 - -1.77%
1965 - -1.46%
1964 - 0.19%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - -0.38%
1961 - -0.78%
1960 - 0.47%
1959 - 0.06%
1958 - -0.25%
1957 - -0.33%
1956 - 1%
1955 - 0.08%
1954 - -0.27%
1953 - -0.86%
1952 - -0.44%
1951 - 1.85%
1950 - 4.29%
1949 - 0.72%
1948 - 2%
1947 - -0.45%
1946 - -4.09%
1945 - -8.87%
1944 - -11.8%
1943 - -12.4%
1942 - -5.17%
1941 - -2.14%
1940 - 0.51%
1939 - 0.77%
1938 - 0.24%
1937 - 0.28%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 0.24%
1934 - 0.28%
1933 - 0.28%
1932 - 0.02%
1931 - -0.8%
1930 - -1%
1929 - -0.53%
1928 - -0.69%
1927 - -0.5%
1926 - -0.31%
1925 - -0.26%
1924 - -0.5%
1923 - -0.33%
1922 - -0.94%
1921 - -2%
1920 - -2.43%
1919 - -4.8%
1918 - -4.36%
1917 - -4.99%
1916 - -3.47%
1915 - -1.11%
1914 - -0.29%
1913 - 0%
1912 - 0.12%
1911 - 0.39%
1910 - 0.39%
1909 - 0.37%
1908 - -0.15%
1907 - 0.41%
1906 - 0.23%
1905 - 0.11%
1904 - -0.13%
1903 - -0.02%
1902 - 0.16%
1901 - 1.46%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/australia | CC BY

In 2023, Afghanistan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $228M, equivalent to 1.33% of GDP. This compares to Australia's deficit of $22B, or 1.27% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Australia ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.19% of GDP for Australia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Australia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Australia
2024 -4.3% 3.16%
2023 -7.7% 5.6%
2022 10.6% 6.59%
2021 7.8% 2.86%
2020 5.6% 0.85%
2019 2.3% 1.61%
2018 0.6% 1.91%
2017 5% 1.95%
2016 4.4% 1.28%
2015 -0.7% 1.51%
2014 4.7% 2.49%
2013 7.4% 2.45%
2012 6.4% 1.76%
2011 11.8% 3.3%
2010 2.2% 2.92%
2009 -6.8% 1.77%
2008 26.4% 4.35%
2007 8.7% 2.33%
2006 6.8% 3.56%
2005 10.6% 2.69%
2004 16.4% 2.34%
2003 35.7% 2.73%
2002 - 2.98%
2001 - 4.41%
2000 - 4.46%
1999 - 1.48%
1998 - 0.86%
1997 - 0.22%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/australia | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.73% in Australia. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 3.16% in Australia.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $961K
Textiles & consumer goods $155K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17K
Animal & marine products $1K
Australia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $249K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $128K
Metals $127K
Textiles & consumer goods $47K
Chemicals & pharma $25K
Wood & paper products $12K
Miscellaneous $11K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Australia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$34.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
187/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-1.98%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$297B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$341B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$109B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$84.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
24.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Australia
Economic freedom 53 80.1
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 5/197
Property rights 3.6 88.2
Government integrity 13.5 88.1
Judicial effectiveness 0 96.3
Tax burden 92 61.8
Government spending 90.8 56.6
Fiscal health 98.4 89
Business freedom 33.7 92.3
Labor freedom 44.4 61.5
Monetary freedom 84.9 77.2
Trade freedom 68.6 89.8
Investment freedom 10 80
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Australia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Australia
2026 - 80.1
2025 - 79.3
2024 - 76.2
2023 - 74.8
2022 - 77.7
2021 53 82.4
2020 54.7 82.6
2019 51.5 80.9
2018 51.3 80.9
2017 48.9 81
2016 - 80.3
2015 - 81.4
2014 - 82
2013 - 82.6
2012 - 83.1
2011 - 82.5
2010 - 82.6
2009 - 82.6
2008 - 82.2
2007 - 81.1
2006 - 79.9
2005 - 79
2004 - 77.9
2003 - 77.4
2002 - 77.3
2001 - 77.4
2000 - 77.1
1999 - 76.4
1998 - 75.6
1997 - 75.5
1996 - 74
1995 - 74.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/australia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 80.1 for Australia, ranking 5/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Australia
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
66.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
2.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$1.7T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$69,600
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$60.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
39/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$39.2B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$53.4B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
24.3%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/australia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.