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Economy of Afghanistan vs Austria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $535B for Austria, ranking 137/197 and 30/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $432B (80.8% of GDP) in Austria.

Afghanistan vs Austria GDP by year

Afghanistan
Austria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Austria
2024 - $534,790,720,467
2023 $17,152,234,637 $516,670,509,629
2022 $14,497,243,872 $473,221,298,968
2021 $14,259,995,441 $480,466,363,177
2020 $19,955,929,052 $434,397,601,558
2019 $18,799,444,490 $442,983,642,372
2018 $18,053,222,687 $452,582,294,973
2017 $18,753,456,498 $414,926,138,133
2016 $18,116,572,395 $393,687,359,770
2015 $19,134,221,645 $379,546,097,301
2014 $20,497,128,556 $438,556,021,078
2013 $20,146,416,758 $426,580,502,769
2012 $19,907,329,778 $406,750,487,604
2011 $17,805,098,206 $428,954,737,064
2010 $15,856,668,556 $389,827,789,218
2009 $12,416,152,732 $399,290,118,782
2008 $10,109,297,048 $429,234,399,096
2007 $9,747,886,187 $386,760,177,589
2006 $6,971,758,282 $333,905,979,332
2005 $6,203,256,539 $313,952,317,331
2004 $5,224,896,719 $299,210,411,455
2003 $4,520,946,819 $260,779,834,340
2002 $3,825,701,439 $212,837,224,023
2001 $2,813,571,754 $196,477,206,829
2000 $3,521,418,060 $196,181,599,831
1999 - $216,421,809,126
1998 - $217,068,085,816
1997 - $211,724,812,267
1996 - $235,952,581,232
1995 - $240,094,169,510
1994 - $202,738,023,130
1993 - $189,634,029,339
1992 - $194,314,032,056
1991 - $173,113,449,617
1990 - $165,811,372,383
1989 - $132,584,448,258
1988 - $132,817,124,707
1987 - $123,682,091,859
1986 - $98,648,254,169
1985 - $69,114,996,010
1984 - $67,719,055,773
1983 - $71,838,528,420
1982 - $70,996,111,963
1981 - $70,755,997,062
1980 - $81,737,498,405
1979 - $73,647,694,287
1978 - $61,809,208,756
1977 - $51,343,861,460
1976 - $42,791,707,448
1975 - $39,902,300,703
1974 - $35,051,468,640
1973 - $29,399,860,145
1972 - $21,973,207,929
1971 - $17,788,536,733
1970 - $15,312,791,744
1969 - $13,647,475,854
1968 - $12,499,863,917
1967 - $11,634,569,522
1966 - $10,939,526,219
1965 - $10,041,659,445
1964 - $9,213,648,656
1963 - $8,414,050,621
1962 - $7,793,042,529
1961 - $7,346,566,038
1960 - $6,624,086,313

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Austria by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Austria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Austria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $58,269 $73,911
2023 $414 $2,202 $56,580 $73,545
2022 $357 $2,123 $52,337 $72,065
2021 $356 $2,144 $53,649 $62,969
2020 $511 $2,562 $48,716 $58,523
2019 $497 $2,583 $49,886 $60,355
2018 $491 $2,432 $51,194 $56,636
2017 $525 $2,336 $47,164 $53,870
2016 $522 $2,213 $45,061 $52,398
2015 $566 $2,284 $43,915 $49,549
2014 $625 $2,224 $51,315 $48,355
2013 $637 $2,133 $50,305 $47,520
2012 $651 $1,988 $48,250 $46,156
2011 $607 $1,744 $51,117 $44,172
2010 $561 $1,766 $46,611 $41,735
2009 $452 $1,571 $47,857 $40,687
2008 $382 $1,334 $51,581 $41,047
2007 $376 $1,287 $46,623 $39,192
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $40,382 $37,388
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $38,157 $34,777
2004 $221.8 $972 $36,614 $33,519
2003 $198.9 $967 $32,110 $31,959
2002 $179 $927 $26,335 $30,952
2001 $138.7 $748 $24,430 $29,553
2000 $174.9 $814 $24,487 $29,221
1999 - - $27,079 $27,500
1998 - - $27,212 $26,531
1997 - - $26,572 $25,301
1996 - - $29,646 $24,427
1995 - - $30,207 $23,604
1994 - - $25,546 $22,553
1993 - - $23,987 $21,647
1992 - - $24,783 $21,209
1991 - - $22,323 $20,536
1990 - - $21,596 $19,396
1989 - - $17,401 -
1988 - - $17,510 -
1987 - - $16,329 -
1986 - - $13,032 -
1985 - - $9,136 -
1984 - - $8,956 -
1983 - - $9,500 -
1982 - - $9,373 -
1981 - - $9,348 -
1980 - - $10,827 -
1979 - - $9,755 -
1978 - - $8,173 -
1977 - - $6,784 -
1976 - - $5,656 -
1975 - - $5,265 -
1974 - - $4,613 -
1973 - - $3,875 -
1972 - - $2,913 -
1971 - - $2,372 -
1970 - - $2,051 -
1969 - - $1,834 -
1968 - - $1,686 -
1967 - - $1,577 -
1966 - - $1,494 -
1965 - - $1,381 -
1964 - - $1,275 -
1963 - - $1,173 -
1962 - - $1,093 -
1961 - - $1,037 -
1960 - - $940 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $58,269 in Austria, ranking 16/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Austria ranks 19th at $73,911.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Austria
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$535B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
30/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
-0.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$58,269
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
16/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$73,911
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
19/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$432B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
80.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$47,075
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
10/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$40,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$121B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
9
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
56%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.94%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.16%
2024
Population
45409324
9163419

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Austria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Austria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 56% 80.8%
2023 17% 8.42% 52.7% 78.5%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 53% 78.4%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 56% 82.4%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 57.3% 83.2%
2019 28% 6.14% 49.1% 71%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 49.2% 74.6%
2017 27.7% 8% 49.8% 79.1%
2016 28% 8.44% 50.6% 83.4%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 51.2% 85.6%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 52.4% 85.2%
2013 25% 6.92% 52.4% 82.4%
2012 25% 6.77% 51.8% 82.9%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 51.3% 83.4%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 53.4% 83.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 54.6% 80.8%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 50.4% 69.5%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 49.7% 65.8%
2006 18.3% 23% 50.9% 68.2%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 51.7% 69.4%
2004 15.1% 245% 54.3% 65.9%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 51.8% 66.4%
2002 6.94% 346% 51.6% 67.4%
2001 - - 51.8% 67.2%
2000 - - 50.9% 66.1%
1999 - - 50.5% 61.3%
1998 - - 54.4% 69.2%
1997 - - 52.5% 63.4%
1996 - - 55.9% 68.2%
1995 - - 56.1% 68.2%
1994 - - 54.3% 64.1%
1993 - - 54.3% 61%
1992 - - 49.3% 56.3%
1991 - - 47.9% 56.4%
1990 - - 46.8% 56.2%
1989 - - 51.6% 56.6%
1988 - - 53.1% 57.7%
1987 - - 54.5% 55.5%
1986 - - 54.3% 52%
1985 - - 53.5% 47.8%
1984 - - 52.6% 46%
1983 - - 52.4% 43.7%
1982 - - 52% 39.7%
1981 - - 51.5% 37.5%
1980 - - 50% 35.6%
1979 - - 49.8% 34.1%
1978 - - 50.8% 32.2%
1977 - - 47.6% 28.5%
1976 - - 47.9% 26.2%
1975 - - 46.1% 22.8%
1974 - - 42% 16.8%
1973 - - 41.5% 16.7%
1972 - - 40.1% 16.7%
1971 - - 40% 17.4%
1970 - - 39.5% 18.6%
1969 - - 40.7% 16.8%
1968 - - 40.9% 16.8%
1967 - - 40.7% 15.6%
1966 - - 38.7% 14.1%
1965 - - 38.3% 14.8%
1964 - - 38.7% 15.5%
1963 - - 38.6% 15.6%
1962 - - 37.6% 15.5%
1961 - - 35.7% 16%
1960 - - 36.3% 17.7%

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/austria | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Austria spent $300B, or 56% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 80.8% in Austria, ranking 181/185 and 44/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Austria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Austria
2024 -0.54% -4.64%
2023 -1.33% -2.62%
2022 -1% -3.31%
2021 -0.48% -5.69%
2020 -2.24% -8.2%
2019 -1.06% 0.54%
2018 1.63% 0.2%
2017 -0.67% -0.78%
2016 0.13% -1.45%
2015 -1.38% -0.48%
2014 -1.72% -1.92%
2013 -0.63% -1.99%
2012 0.18% -2.18%
2011 -0.67% -2.48%
2010 0.93% -4.46%
2009 -1.76% -5.38%
2008 -3.86% -1.57%
2007 -2.46% -1.56%
2006 0.68% -2.61%
2005 -0.92% -2.59%
2004 -2.39% -4.94%
2003 -2.1% -1.84%
2002 -0.1% -1.43%
2001 - -0.71%
2000 - -2.07%
1999 - -2.63%
1998 - -2.68%
1997 - -2.38%
1996 - -4.38%
1995 - -6.17%
1994 - -5.04%
1993 - -4.57%
1992 - -2.15%
1991 - -2.96%
1990 - -2.58%
1989 - -3.07%
1988 - -3.43%
1987 - -4.33%
1986 - -3.84%
1985 - -2.71%
1984 - -2.67%
1983 - -4.22%
1982 - -3.29%
1981 - -1.79%
1980 - -1.62%
1979 - -2.3%
1978 - -2.67%
1977 - -2.11%
1976 - -3.61%
1975 - -2.41%
1974 - 1.23%
1973 - 1.24%
1972 - 1.97%
1971 - 1.46%
1970 - 1.16%
1969 - -0.08%
1968 - -0.83%
1967 - -0.56%
1966 - 1.73%
1965 - 1.38%
1964 - 0.48%
1963 - -0.5%
1962 - 1.12%
1961 - 1.68%
1960 - -0.49%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -3.52%
1957 - -0.7%
1956 - -0.78%
1955 - -0.5%
1954 - -0.35%
1953 - -0.24%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - -1.57%
1950 - -7.72%
1949 - -9.23%
1948 - -9.3%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -2.84%
1936 - -3.91%
1935 - -5.46%
1934 - -5.28%
1933 - -3.55%
1932 - -9.16%
1931 - -11.5%
1930 - -9.68%
1929 - -6.83%
1928 - -7.63%
1927 - -7.3%
1926 - -6.18%
1925 - -4.96%
1924 - -5.69%
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - -0.69%
1911 - 0.03%
1910 - -0.42%
1909 - -5.51%
1908 - -1.24%
1907 - -2.73%
1906 - -0.05%
1905 - -0.71%
1904 - -1.12%
1903 - -0.97%
1902 - -0.75%
1901 - -0.56%
1900 - -0.05%
1899 - -0.08%
1898 - -0.17%
1897 - 0.1%
1896 - 0.03%
1895 - 0.36%
1894 - -1.16%
1893 - -1.31%
1892 - -0.86%
1891 - -4.01%
1890 - -0.26%
1889 - -1.61%
1888 - -0.97%
1887 - -1.09%
1886 - -0.43%
1885 - -0.57%
1884 - -6.43%
1883 - -0.69%
1882 - -1.06%
1881 - -3.91%
1880 - -1.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/austria | 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 Austria's deficit of $13.5B, or 2.62% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Austria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Austria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Austria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Austria
2024 -4.3% 2.94%
2023 -7.7% 7.81%
2022 10.6% 8.55%
2021 7.8% 2.77%
2020 5.6% 1.38%
2019 2.3% 1.53%
2018 0.6% 2%
2017 5% 2.08%
2016 4.4% 0.89%
2015 -0.7% 0.9%
2014 4.7% 1.61%
2013 7.4% 2%
2012 6.4% 2.49%
2011 11.8% 3.29%
2010 2.2% 1.81%
2009 -6.8% 0.51%
2008 26.4% 3.22%
2007 8.7% 2.17%
2006 6.8% 1.44%
2005 10.6% 2.3%
2004 16.4% 2.06%
2003 35.7% 1.36%
2002 - 1.81%
2001 - 2.65%
2000 - 2.34%
1999 - 0.57%
1998 - 0.92%
1997 - 1.31%

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/austria | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.5% in Austria. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.94% in Austria.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $191K
Raw agricultural goods $157K
Animal & marine products $22K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Austria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.14M
Machinery & equipment $5.83M
Chemicals & pharma $4.02M
Animal & marine products $517K
Textiles & consumer goods $423K
Metals $185K
Wood & paper products $71K
Raw agricultural goods $36K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Austria
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$8.19B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
25/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+1.53%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$195B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$201B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$90.5B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$96.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
53.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
55.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Austria
Economic freedom 53 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 38/197
Property rights 3.6 95.7
Government integrity 13.5 75
Judicial effectiveness 0 94.8
Tax burden 92 45.7
Government spending 90.8 12.8
Fiscal health 98.4 67.1
Business freedom 33.7 78.7
Labor freedom 44.4 81.6
Monetary freedom 84.9 76.4
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Austria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Austria
2026 - 69.8
2025 - 69.7
2024 - 68.4
2023 - 71.1
2022 - 73.8
2021 53 73.9
2020 54.7 73.3
2019 51.5 72
2018 51.3 71.8
2017 48.9 72.3
2016 - 71.7
2015 - 71.2
2014 - 72.4
2013 - 71.8
2012 - 70.3
2011 - 71.9
2010 - 71.6
2009 - 71.2
2008 - 71.4
2007 - 71.6
2006 - 71.1
2005 - 68.8
2004 - 67.6
2003 - 67.6
2002 - 67.4
2001 - 68.1
2000 - 68.4
1999 - 64
1998 - 65.4
1997 - 65.2
1996 - 68.9
1995 - 70

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 69.8 for Austria, ranking 38/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Austria
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
64%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
24.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
1.22%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$503B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$74,160
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$35.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
53/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$135M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13.8B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
14.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
23.6%
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/austria | CC BY

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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 (1880–1989, 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.