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Economy of Afghanistan vs Barbados compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $7.5B for Barbados, ranking 137/197 and 157/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $7.97B (106.3% of GDP) in Barbados.

Afghanistan vs Barbados GDP by year

Afghanistan
Barbados
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Barbados
2024 - $7,498,050,000
2023 $17,152,234,637 $7,223,250,000
2022 $14,497,243,872 $6,884,900,000
2021 $14,259,995,441 $5,947,550,000
2020 $19,955,929,052 $5,407,050,000
2019 $18,799,444,490 $6,161,850,000
2018 $18,053,222,687 $6,001,950,000
2017 $18,753,456,498 $5,683,150,000
2016 $18,116,572,395 $5,674,600,000
2015 $19,134,221,645 $5,698,150,000
2014 $20,497,128,556 $5,620,600,000
2013 $20,146,416,758 $5,667,200,000
2012 $19,907,329,778 $5,761,450,000
2011 $17,805,098,206 $5,663,100,000
2010 $15,856,668,556 $5,672,900,000
2009 $12,416,152,732 $4,466,809,600
2008 $10,109,297,048 $4,790,410,400
2007 $9,747,886,187 $4,675,767,950
2006 $6,971,758,282 $4,217,323,400
2005 $6,203,256,539 $3,819,500,000
2004 $5,224,896,719 $3,444,500,000
2003 $4,520,946,819 $3,209,500,000
2002 $3,825,701,439 $3,106,500,000
2001 $2,813,571,754 $3,054,500,000
2000 $3,521,418,060 $3,059,500,000
1999 - $2,951,822,205
1998 - $2,817,083,478
1997 - $2,498,384,130
1996 - $2,363,645,403
1995 - $2,216,974,096
1994 - $2,151,344,901
1993 - $2,063,342,117
1992 - $1,957,000,000
1991 - $2,020,583,702
1990 - $2,012,131,457
1989 - $2,006,165,167
1988 - $1,812,757,918
1987 - $1,704,370,308
1986 - $1,547,755,183
1985 - $1,409,536,121
1984 - $1,346,890,071
1983 - $1,236,016,507
1982 - $1,163,923,830
1981 - $1,114,204,743
1980 - $1,012,280,615
1979 - $670,362,452
1978 - $552,883,707
1977 - $495,097,668
1976 - $435,911,269
1975 - $402,178,605
1974 - $311,804,630
1973 - $260,767,828
1972 - $213,725,217
1971 - $186,826,503
1970 - $166,210,203
1969 - $141,393,142
1968 - $125,733,669
1967 - $125,554,009
1966 - $113,195,123
1965 - $105,021,997
1964 - $99,252,731
1963 - $99,893,761
1962 - $88,782,583
1961 - $85,363,759
1960 - $80,021,847

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Barbados by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Barbados
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $26,545 $24,823
2023 $414 $2,202 $25,584 $23,660
2022 $357 $2,123 $24,387 $22,193
2021 $356 $2,144 $21,080 $17,683
2020 $511 $2,562 $19,194 $16,555
2019 $497 $2,583 $21,912 $19,971
2018 $491 $2,432 $21,381 $19,777
2017 $525 $2,336 $20,285 $18,437
2016 $522 $2,213 $20,296 $19,176
2015 $566 $2,284 $20,424 $19,186
2014 $625 $2,224 $20,193 $18,595
2013 $637 $2,133 $20,410 $19,032
2012 $651 $1,988 $20,804 $19,605
2011 $607 $1,744 $20,508 $20,316
2010 $561 $1,766 $20,611 $20,033
2009 $452 $1,571 $16,295 $20,324
2008 $382 $1,334 $17,566 $21,376
2007 $376 $1,287 $17,235 $20,949
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $15,620 $20,076
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $14,214 $18,450
2004 $221.8 $972 $12,886 $17,299
2003 $198.9 $967 $12,076 $16,707
2002 $179 $927 $11,760 $16,133
2001 $138.7 $748 $11,640 $15,866
2000 $174.9 $814 $11,675 $15,914
1999 - - $11,244 $14,873
1998 - - $10,734 $14,621
1997 - - $9,522 $13,941
1996 - - $9,012 $13,090
1995 - - $8,460 $12,375
1994 - - $8,223 $11,900
1993 - - $7,905 $11,448
1992 - - $7,519 $11,127
1991 - - $7,790 $11,576
1990 - - $7,781 $11,687
1989 - - $7,773 -
1988 - - $7,033 -
1987 - - $6,625 -
1986 - - $6,031 -
1985 - - $5,510 -
1984 - - $5,284 -
1983 - - $4,866 -
1982 - - $4,599 -
1981 - - $4,417 -
1980 - - $4,025 -
1979 - - $2,668 -
1978 - - $2,198 -
1977 - - $1,968 -
1976 - - $1,734 -
1975 - - $1,601 -
1974 - - $1,243 -
1973 - - $1,042 -
1972 - - $856 -
1971 - - $750 -
1970 - - $666 -
1969 - - $567 -
1968 - - $506 -
1967 - - $508 -
1966 - - $462 -
1965 - - $433 -
1964 - - $414 -
1963 - - $421 -
1962 - - $377 -
1961 - - $366 -
1960 - - $347 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $26,545 in Barbados, ranking 46/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Barbados
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$7.5B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
157/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
2.48%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$26,545
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
46/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$24,823
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
84/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$7.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
106.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$28,218
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
26/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$18,869
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.78B
2020
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.8%
2016
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.5%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
30.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
-0.44%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
2%
2020
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
6.54%
2023
Population
45409324
282798

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Barbados
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Barbados
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 30.2% 106.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 28.8% 113.4%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 30.3% 116.9%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 32.5% 130.2%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 30.3% 128.4%
2019 28% 6.14% 23.9% 109.5%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 26.9% 115%
2017 27.7% 8% 29.8% 143.6%
2016 28% 8.44% 30.7% 136.5%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 31.4% 131.9%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 29% 122%
2013 25% 6.92% 30.8% 118.6%
2012 25% 6.77% 30.6% 109.4%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 27.7% 98.7%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 29.7% 96%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 29.5% 88.5%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 28.1% 72.6%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 27.8% 69%
2006 18.3% 23% 27.2% 69.8%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 28.7% 68.2%
2004 15.1% 245% 28.5% 66.5%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 29.8% 66.6%
2002 6.94% 346% 31% 66.1%
2001 - - 22% 62.6%
2000 - - 20.8% 56.6%
1999 - - 19.7% 50.1%
1998 - - 19% 50.5%
1997 - - 21.5% 56.9%
1996 - - 20.5% 56.1%
1995 - - 18.6% 55.9%
1994 - - 17% 55%

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

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Barbados spent $2.26B, or 30.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 106.3% in Barbados, ranking 181/185 and 18/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Barbados
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Barbados
2024 -0.54% -0.89%
2023 -1.33% -1.71%
2022 -1% -1.96%
2021 -0.48% -4.65%
2020 -2.24% -4.16%
2019 -1.06% 3.08%
2018 1.63% -0.34%
2017 -0.67% -3.89%
2016 0.13% -4.88%
2015 -1.38% -8.16%
2014 -1.72% -6.57%
2013 -0.63% -8.98%
2012 0.18% -7.07%
2011 -0.67% -3.63%
2010 0.93% -7.55%
2009 -1.76% -6.56%
2008 -3.86% -4.1%
2007 -2.46% -4.34%
2006 0.68% -3.41%
2005 -0.92% -3.03%
2004 -2.39% -2.97%
2003 -2.1% -3.08%
2002 -0.1% -5.28%
2001 - 4.07%
2000 - 4.94%
1999 - 5.39%
1998 - 6.03%
1997 - 5.64%
1996 - 3.76%
1995 - 6.22%
1994 - 6.72%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/barbados | 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 Barbados' deficit of $124M, or 1.71% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Barbados ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.24% of GDP for Barbados.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Barbados
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Barbados
2024 -4.3% -0.44%
2023 -7.7% 9.79%
2022 10.6% -
2021 7.8% -
2020 5.6% -
2019 2.3% 4.1%
2018 0.6% 3.67%
2017 5% 4.66%
2016 4.4% 1.28%
2015 -0.7% -1.11%
2014 4.7% 1.77%
2013 7.4% 1.81%
2012 6.4% 4.53%
2011 11.8% 9.43%
2010 2.2% 5.82%
2009 -6.8% 3.64%
2008 26.4% 8.11%
2007 8.7% 4.03%
2006 6.8% 7.31%
2005 10.6% 6.08%
2004 16.4% 1.39%
2003 35.7% 1.62%
2002 - 0.13%
2001 - 2.58%
2000 - 2.44%
1999 - 1.56%
1998 - -1.27%
1997 - 7.71%

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/barbados | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 4.08% in Barbados. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and -0.44% in Barbados.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Barbados
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $61K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Barbados
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$296M
2017
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
100/190
2017
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-5.22%
2017
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$1.53B
2017
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$705M
2017
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$687M
2017
Service exports
$700M
2020
$1.52B
2017
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
14.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Barbados
Economic freedom 53 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 34/197
Property rights 3.6 76.4
Government integrity 13.5 71.3
Judicial effectiveness 0 87.3
Tax burden 92 83.2
Government spending 90.8 74.5
Fiscal health 98.4 76.5
Business freedom 33.7 72.3
Labor freedom 44.4 54.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 80.8
Trade freedom 68.6 48.2
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Barbados
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Barbados
2026 - 70.4
2025 - 68.9
2024 - 66.8
2023 - 69.8
2022 - 71.3
2021 53 65
2020 54.7 61.4
2019 51.5 64.7
2018 51.3 57
2017 48.9 54.5
2016 - 68.3
2015 - 67.9
2014 - 68.3
2013 - 69.3
2012 - 69
2011 - 68.5
2010 - 68.3
2009 - 71.5
2008 - 71.3
2007 - 70
2006 - 71.9
2005 - 70.1
2004 - 69.4
2003 - 71.3
2002 - 73.6
2001 - 71.5
2000 - 69.5
1999 - 66.7
1998 - 67.9
1997 - 64.5
1996 - 62.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 70.4 for Barbados, ranking 34/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Barbados
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
75.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
12.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
1.58%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$7.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$23,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$1.65B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
131/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$208M
2017
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$303M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$18.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
25.7%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
n/a

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/barbados | 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 (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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.