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Economy of Afghanistan vs Bahrain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $47.1B for Bahrain, ranking 137/197 and 96/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $62.8B (133.4% of GDP) in Bahrain.

Afghanistan vs Bahrain GDP by year

Afghanistan
Bahrain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Bahrain
2024 - $47,109,734,309
2023 $17,152,234,637 $46,192,260,638
2022 $14,497,243,872 $46,458,191,489
2021 $14,259,995,441 $40,840,212,766
2020 $19,955,929,052 $35,837,632,979
2019 $18,799,444,490 $40,446,808,511
2018 $18,053,222,687 $39,567,978,723
2017 $18,753,456,498 $37,204,813,830
2016 $18,116,572,395 $33,884,680,851
2015 $19,134,221,645 $32,523,297,872
2014 $20,497,128,556 $34,772,526,596
2013 $20,146,416,758 $33,823,324,468
2012 $19,907,329,778 $31,963,404,255
2011 $17,805,098,206 $29,914,680,851
2010 $15,856,668,556 $26,805,984,043
2009 $12,416,152,732 $22,938,218,085
2008 $10,109,297,048 $25,710,904,255
2007 $9,747,886,187 $21,730,000,000
2006 $6,971,758,282 $18,504,760,638
2005 $6,203,256,539 $15,968,723,404
2004 $5,224,896,719 $13,150,159,574
2003 $4,520,946,819 $11,074,813,830
2002 $3,825,701,439 $9,593,510,638
2001 $2,813,571,754 $8,976,196,809
2000 $3,521,418,060 $9,062,898,936
1999 - $7,528,469,149
1998 - $7,031,309,043
1997 - $7,219,407,713
1996 - $6,938,166,755
1995 - $6,651,180,851
1994 - $6,330,627,926
1993 - $5,913,001,064
1992 - $5,402,232,447
1991 - $5,248,911,170
1990 - $4,809,511,005
1989 - $4,393,093,963
1988 - $4,209,834,173
1987 - $3,856,922,694
1986 - $3,470,746,843
1985 - $4,152,376,484
1984 - $4,440,874,566
1983 - $4,247,030,468
1982 - $4,145,421,080
1981 - $3,943,109,532
1980 - $3,493,834,468
1979 - $2,710,160,739
1978 - $2,272,042,965
1977 - $1,989,060,283
1976 - $1,581,709,519
1975 - $1,099,107,601
1974 - $1,042,176,884
1973 - $761,132,545
1972 - $534,081,184
1971 - $422,181,562
1970 - $391,577,364

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Bahrain by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Bahrain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $29,654 $66,941
2023 $414 $2,202 $29,290 $64,171
2022 $357 $2,123 $30,471 $61,678
2021 $356 $2,144 $27,148 $54,955
2020 $511 $2,562 $24,343 $53,436
2019 $497 $2,583 $27,260 $56,600
2018 $491 $2,432 $26,324 $51,993
2017 $525 $2,336 $24,785 $50,185
2016 $522 $2,213 $23,800 $47,429
2015 $566 $2,284 $23,734 $48,034
2014 $625 $2,224 $26,452 $54,299
2013 $637 $2,133 $26,990 $56,310
2012 $651 $1,988 $26,439 $56,713
2011 $607 $1,744 $25,033 $52,677
2010 $561 $1,766 $21,819 $49,255
2009 $452 $1,571 $19,465 $48,626
2008 $382 $1,334 $23,299 $50,330
2007 $376 $1,287 $20,908 $49,347
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $19,267 $48,009
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $17,966 $47,268
2004 $221.8 $972 $15,964 $46,317
2003 $198.9 $967 $14,486 $45,427
2002 $179 $927 $13,501 $45,091
2001 $138.7 $748 $13,573 $46,162
2000 $174.9 $814 $14,214 $45,688
1999 - - $12,123 $43,561
1998 - - $11,625 $42,281
1997 - - $12,255 $40,965
1996 - - $12,092 $40,106
1995 - - $11,901 $38,839
1994 - - $11,629 $37,579
1993 - - $11,152 $37,870
1992 - - $10,460 $33,648
1991 - - $10,434 $31,657
1990 - - $9,343 $26,902
1989 - - $8,833 -
1988 - - $8,772 -
1987 - - $8,333 -
1986 - - $7,777 -
1985 - - $9,649 -
1984 - - $10,697 -
1983 - - $10,599 -
1982 - - $10,712 -
1981 - - $10,557 -
1980 - - $9,733 -
1979 - - $7,891 -
1978 - - $6,926 -
1977 - - $6,358 -
1976 - - $5,310 -
1975 - - $3,880 -
1974 - - $3,874 -
1973 - - $2,981 -
1972 - - $2,206 -
1971 - - $1,830 -
1970 - - $1,742 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $29,654 in Bahrain, ranking 42/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Bahrain
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$47.1B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
96/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$29,654
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
42/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$66,941
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
26/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$62.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
133.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$39,552
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
14/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$23,253
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$20.4B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
29.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
1.2%
2012
Population
45409324
1669503

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Bahrain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Bahrain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 29.1% 133.4%
2023 17% 8.42% 29.1% 123%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 28.4% 111.6%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 30.6% 122.3%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 34.6% 125.7%
2019 28% 6.14% 31.2% 97.1%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 32.1% 90.4%
2017 27.7% 8% 30.7% 84%
2016 28% 8.44% 33.3% 77.4%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 34.8% 63.2%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 27.3% 42.6%
2013 25% 6.92% 32% 42.3%
2012 25% 6.77% 31.1% 34.8%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 30.2% 31.6%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 31.1% 28.8%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 24.6% 20.5%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 22.7% 12.1%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 22.4% 15.7%
2006 18.3% 23% 23.1% 19.4%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 23.9% 23.2%
2004 15.1% 245% 25% 28.2%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 28.1% 31.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 30.6% 27.2%
2001 - - 26.5% 25%
2000 - - 22.2% 24.7%
1999 - - 27.1% 24.7%
1998 - - 25.7% 20%
1997 - - 31% 14.8%
1996 - - 22.7% 13.1%
1995 - - 25.1% 13.6%
1994 - - 26.1% 5.62%
1993 - - 26.7% 5.95%
1992 - - 29.4% 6.45%
1991 - - 28.5% 6.71%
1990 - - 32.4% 7.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Bahrain spent $13.7B, or 29.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 133.4% in Bahrain, ranking 181/185 and 9/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Bahrain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Bahrain
2024 -0.54% -10.6%
2023 -1.33% -9.67%
2022 -1% -6.02%
2021 -0.48% -10.6%
2020 -2.24% -17.3%
2019 -1.06% -8.57%
2018 1.63% -11.3%
2017 -0.67% -13.4%
2016 0.13% -16.6%
2015 -1.38% -17.5%
2014 -1.72% -3.32%
2013 -0.63% -8.55%
2012 0.18% -5.77%
2011 -0.67% -4.9%
2010 0.93% -9.29%
2009 -1.76% -5.36%
2008 -3.86% 4.08%
2007 -2.46% 1.52%
2006 0.68% 2.24%
2005 -0.92% 2.8%
2004 -2.39% 0.24%
2003 -2.1% -1.7%
2002 -0.1% -3.27%
2001 - 0.7%
2000 - 7.33%
1999 - -4.85%
1998 - -5.49%
1997 - -6.39%
1996 - 0.24%
1995 - -3.99%
1994 - -5.18%
1993 - -2.77%
1992 - -5.41%
1991 - -3.47%
1990 - -6.79%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/bahrain | 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 Bahrain's deficit of $4.47B, or 9.67% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Bahrain ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.46% of GDP for Bahrain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Bahrain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Bahrain
2024 -4.3% 0.92%
2023 -7.7% 0.07%
2022 10.6% 3.63%
2021 7.8% -0.61%
2020 5.6% -2.32%
2019 2.3% 1.01%
2018 0.6% 2.09%
2017 5% 1.39%
2016 4.4% 2.79%
2015 -0.7% 1.85%
2014 4.7% 2.65%
2013 7.4% 3.3%
2012 6.4% 2.76%
2011 11.8% -0.4%
2010 2.2% 1.96%
2009 -6.8% 2.8%
2008 26.4% 3.53%
2007 8.7% 3.26%
2006 6.8% 2.01%
2005 10.6% 2.59%
2004 16.4% 2.35%
2003 35.7% 1.59%
2002 - -0.5%
2001 - -1.21%
2000 - -0.7%
1999 - -1.29%
1998 - -0.37%
1997 - 2.43%

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/bahrain | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 1.78% in Bahrain. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 0.92% in Bahrain.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $69K
Bahrain
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $153K
Animal & marine products $83K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $78K
Raw agricultural goods $28K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Wood & paper products $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Bahrain
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$2.28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
44/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+4.84%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$20.7B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$24.3B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$12.4B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$17B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
70.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
87.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Bahrain
Economic freedom 53 65.7
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 63/197
Property rights 3.6 60.9
Government integrity 13.5 45.9
Judicial effectiveness 0 30
Tax burden 92 99.9
Government spending 90.8 75
Fiscal health 98.4 0
Business freedom 33.7 75.9
Labor freedom 44.4 55.5
Monetary freedom 84.9 88.8
Trade freedom 68.6 86.8
Investment freedom 10 90
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Bahrain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Bahrain
2026 - 65.7
2025 - 65.6
2024 - 63.4
2023 - 62.5
2022 - 62
2021 53 69.9
2020 54.7 66.3
2019 51.5 66.4
2018 51.3 67.7
2017 48.9 68.5
2016 - 74.3
2015 - 73.4
2014 - 75.1
2013 - 75.5
2012 - 75.2
2011 - 77.7
2010 - 76.3
2009 - 74.8
2008 - 72.2
2007 - 71.2
2006 - 71.6
2005 - 71.2
2004 - 75.1
2003 - 76.3
2002 - 75.6
2001 - 75.9
2000 - 75.7
1999 - 75.2
1998 - 75.6
1997 - 76.1
1996 - 76.4
1995 - 76.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 65.7 for Bahrain, ranking 63/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Bahrain
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
53.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
42.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
0.25%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$44.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$62,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$4.95B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
102/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$2.43B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$275M
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
28.4%
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/bahrain | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2019–2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.