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Economy of Afghanistan vs Azerbaijan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $74.3B for Azerbaijan, ranking 137/197 and 84/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $16.1B (21.7% of GDP) in Azerbaijan.

Afghanistan vs Azerbaijan GDP by year

Afghanistan
Azerbaijan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Azerbaijan
2024 - $74,315,882,353
2023 $17,152,234,637 $72,428,470,588
2022 $14,497,243,872 $78,807,470,588
2021 $14,259,995,441 $54,825,411,765
2020 $19,955,929,052 $42,693,000,000
2019 $18,799,444,490 $48,174,235,294
2018 $18,053,222,687 $47,112,470,052
2017 $18,753,456,498 $40,866,627,352
2016 $18,116,572,395 $37,866,996,883
2015 $19,134,221,645 $53,076,235,355
2014 $20,497,128,556 $75,239,785,452
2013 $20,146,416,758 $74,160,560,124
2012 $19,907,329,778 $69,679,944,504
2011 $17,805,098,206 $65,952,796,428
2010 $15,856,668,556 $52,909,294,792
2009 $12,416,152,732 $44,292,427,185
2008 $10,109,297,048 $48,851,293,785
2007 $9,747,886,187 $33,049,419,431
2006 $6,971,758,282 $20,981,929,498
2005 $6,203,256,539 $13,245,421,881
2004 $5,224,896,719 $8,680,405,741
2003 $4,520,946,819 $7,276,413,079
2002 $3,825,701,439 $6,236,087,738
2001 $2,813,571,754 $5,707,616,204
2000 $3,521,418,060 $5,272,615,723
1999 - $4,581,248,567
1998 - $4,446,368,571
1997 - $3,962,362,387
1996 - $3,176,507,376
1995 - $2,417,331,193
1994 - $1,193,141,110
1993 - $1,570,392,598
1992 - $444,658,672
1991 - $5,344,000,000
1990 - $8,884,848,485

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Azerbaijan by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Azerbaijan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Azerbaijan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $7,284 $25,089
2023 $414 $2,202 $7,133 $23,652
2022 $357 $2,123 $7,771 $22,552
2021 $356 $2,144 $5,408 $20,111
2020 $511 $2,562 $4,230 $15,164
2019 $497 $2,583 $4,806 $16,675
2018 $491 $2,432 $4,740 $15,283
2017 $525 $2,336 $4,147 $14,316
2016 $522 $2,213 $3,881 $14,536
2015 $566 $2,284 $5,501 $15,075
2014 $625 $2,224 $7,891 $17,564
2013 $637 $2,133 $7,875 $17,268
2012 $651 $1,988 $7,496 $15,994
2011 $607 $1,744 $7,190 $14,805
2010 $561 $1,766 $5,844 $14,930
2009 $452 $1,571 $4,950 $14,246
2008 $382 $1,334 $5,574 $13,217
2007 $376 $1,287 $3,851 $11,974
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $2,473 $9,398
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $1,578 $6,855
2004 $221.8 $972 $1,045 $5,248
2003 $198.9 $967 $884 $4,718
2002 $179 $927 $763 $4,230
2001 $138.7 $748 $704 $3,835
2000 $174.9 $814 $655 $3,439
1999 - - $574 $3,052
1998 - - $562 $2,827
1997 - - $506 $2,565
1996 - - $409 $2,407
1995 - - $315 $2,357
1994 - - $157.1 $2,648
1993 - - $209.5 $3,272
1992 - - $60.2 $4,220
1991 - - $735 $5,412
1990 - - $1,238 $5,343

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $7,284 in Azerbaijan, ranking 101/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Azerbaijan ranks 82nd at $25,089.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Azerbaijan
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$74.3B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
84/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
4.07%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$7,284
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
101/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$25,089
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
82/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$16.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
21.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$1,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
128/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$6,324
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.64B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.2%
2005
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
4.8%
2005
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
33.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.21%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
7%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.65%
2022
Population
45409324
10338778

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Azerbaijan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Azerbaijan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 33.9% 21.7%
2023 17% 8.42% 32.7% 21.8%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 26.2% 17.3%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 32.2% 26.3%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 40.2% 21.3%
2019 28% 6.14% 32.5% 17.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 33.2% 18.7%
2017 27.7% 8% 35.6% 22.5%
2016 28% 8.44% 35.4% 20.6%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 38.7% 18%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 36.4% 8.53%
2013 25% 6.92% 37.8% 6.18%
2012 25% 6.77% 36.6% 5.83%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 33.7% 4.97%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 32% 4.98%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 34.5% 4.73%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 31.4% 3.22%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 26.1% 4%
2006 18.3% 23% 25.3% 5.3%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 22.5% 6.85%
2004 15.1% 245% 24.2% 9.71%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 21.7% 10.7%
2002 6.94% 346% 23.1% 11.9%
2001 - - 16.8% 13%
2000 - - 18.2% 13.1%
1999 - - 19.5% 25.4%
1998 - - 18.7% 14.3%
1997 - - 18.5% 11.4%
1996 - - 19.8% 16.7%
1995 - - 18.9% 19.2%
1994 - - 14.7% 11.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Azerbaijan spent $25.2B, or 33.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 21.7% in Azerbaijan, ranking 181/185 and 174/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Azerbaijan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Azerbaijan
2024 -0.54% 4.06%
2023 -1.33% 7.92%
2022 -1% 5.96%
2021 -0.48% 4.21%
2020 -2.24% -6.44%
2019 -1.06% 8.95%
2018 1.63% 5.43%
2017 -0.67% -1.34%
2016 0.13% -1.17%
2015 -1.38% -4.83%
2014 -1.72% 2.74%
2013 -0.63% 1.64%
2012 0.18% 3.71%
2011 -0.67% 10.9%
2010 0.93% 13.8%
2009 -1.76% 5.86%
2008 -3.86% 17.2%
2007 -2.46% 2.34%
2006 0.68% 0.66%
2005 -0.92% 2.74%
2004 -2.39% 1.78%
2003 -2.1% 1.6%
2002 -0.1% 19.4%
2001 - 21.8%
2000 - 0.14%
1999 - -1.03%
1998 - 1.63%
1997 - -0.94%
1996 - -2.25%
1995 - -1.34%
1994 - 3.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/azerbaijan | 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 Azerbaijan's surplus of $5.74B, or 7.92% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Azerbaijan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.68% of GDP for Azerbaijan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Azerbaijan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Azerbaijan
2024 -4.3% 2.21%
2023 -7.7% 8.79%
2022 10.6% 13.9%
2021 7.8% 6.65%
2020 5.6% 2.76%
2019 2.3% 2.61%
2018 0.6% 2.27%
2017 5% 12.9%
2016 4.4% 12.4%
2015 -0.7% 4.03%
2014 4.7% 1.37%
2013 7.4% 2.42%
2012 6.4% 1.07%
2011 11.8% 7.86%
2010 2.2% 5.73%
2009 -6.8% 1.46%
2008 26.4% 20.8%
2007 8.7% 16.7%
2006 6.8% 8.33%
2005 10.6% 9.68%
2004 16.4% 6.71%
2003 35.7% 2.23%
2002 - 2.77%
2001 - 1.55%
2000 - 1.81%
1999 - -8.53%
1998 - -0.77%
1997 - 3.67%

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/azerbaijan | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 6.95% in Azerbaijan. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.21% in Azerbaijan.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $27K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Animal & marine products $2K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Azerbaijan
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $500K
Raw agricultural goods $290K
Raw materials & minerals $67K
Textiles & consumer goods $56K
Animal & marine products $43K
Wood & paper products $22K
Machinery & equipment $14K
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Azerbaijan
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$4.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
34/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+6.29%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$17.2B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$26B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$10.2B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$8.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
36.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
45.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Azerbaijan
Economic freedom 53 64.3
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 74/197
Property rights 3.6 53.3
Government integrity 13.5 23.6
Judicial effectiveness 0 16.5
Tax burden 92 87.9
Government spending 90.8 71.3
Fiscal health 98.4 99.1
Business freedom 33.7 71.2
Labor freedom 44.4 56.9
Monetary freedom 84.9 76
Trade freedom 68.6 75.8
Investment freedom 10 70
Financial freedom 10 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Azerbaijan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Azerbaijan
2026 - 64.3
2025 - 62.5
2024 - 61.6
2023 - 61.4
2022 - 61.6
2021 53 70.1
2020 54.7 69.3
2019 51.5 65.4
2018 51.3 64.3
2017 48.9 63.6
2016 - 60.2
2015 - 61
2014 - 61.3
2013 - 59.7
2012 - 58.9
2011 - 59.7
2010 - 58.8
2009 - 58
2008 - 55.3
2007 - 54.6
2006 - 53.2
2005 - 54.4
2004 - 53.4
2003 - 54.1
2002 - 53.3
2001 - 50.3
2000 - 49.8
1999 - 47.4
1998 - 43.1
1997 - 34
1996 - 30

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 64.3 for Azerbaijan, ranking 74/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Azerbaijan
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
42.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
42.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
5.66%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$74.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$24,220
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
72/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$511M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$231M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$742M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
5.83%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
6%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
21.1%
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/azerbaijan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.