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Economy of Afghanistan vs Brunei compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $15B for Brunei, ranking 139/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $232M (1.54% of GDP) in Brunei.

Afghanistan vs Brunei GDP by year

Afghanistan
Brunei
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Brunei
2025 - $15,031,980,994
2024 $17,778,508,876 $15,340,808,592
2023 $17,152,234,637 $15,095,084,656
2022 $14,497,243,872 $16,681,536,467
2021 $14,259,995,441 $14,006,496,617
2020 $19,955,929,052 $12,005,799,654
2019 $18,799,444,490 $13,469,235,365
2018 $18,053,222,687 $13,566,908,391
2017 $18,753,456,498 $12,128,168,045
2016 $18,116,572,395 $11,400,266,045
2015 $19,134,221,645 $12,930,296,870
2014 $20,497,128,556 $17,097,797,386
2013 $20,146,416,758 $18,094,148,099
2012 $19,907,329,778 $19,048,443,341
2011 $17,805,098,206 $18,524,791,063
2010 $15,856,668,556 $13,707,121,038
2009 $12,416,152,732 $11,912,904,510
2008 $10,109,297,048 $15,926,456,515
2007 $9,747,886,187 $13,432,029,484
2006 $6,971,758,282 $12,644,616,419
2005 $6,203,256,539 $10,547,202,621
2004 $5,224,896,719 $8,619,178,774
2003 $4,520,946,819 $7,167,725,262
2002 $3,825,701,439 $6,333,082,876
2001 $2,813,571,754 $6,096,155,767
2000 $3,521,418,060 $6,570,999,088
1999 - $6,309,070,378
1998 - $5,550,846,020
1997 - $7,793,034,376
1996 - $7,663,377,306
1995 - $7,700,144,069
1994 - $6,467,782,518
1993 - $6,203,339,912
1992 - $6,327,966,435
1991 - $6,284,497,294
1990 - $6,039,881,087
1989 - $4,983,622,881
1988 - $4,535,130,305
1987 - $4,918,010,080
1986 - $4,190,280,003
1985 - $6,967,623,884
1984 - $7,632,788,075
1983 - $7,927,590,750
1982 - $8,932,198,186
1981 - $9,367,218,664
1980 - $10,795,432,294
1979 - $6,044,367,628
1978 - $4,100,423,674
1977 - $3,681,242,528
1976 - $3,054,765,590
1975 - $2,496,420,258
1974 - $2,319,576,214
1973 - $433,095,527
1972 - $270,822,782
1971 - $197,525,768
1970 - $179,078,929
1969 - $161,210,236
1968 - $160,818,236
1967 - $139,029,537
1966 - $132,757,528
1965 - $114,039,501

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Brunei by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Brunei
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $32,235 -
2024 $417 - $33,153 $89,879
2023 $414 $2,202 $32,891 $85,033
2022 $357 $2,123 $36,633 $81,802
2021 $356 $2,144 $31,007 $78,249
2020 $511 $2,562 $26,834 $69,788
2019 $497 $2,583 $30,427 $69,354
2018 $491 $2,432 $30,988 $65,149
2017 $525 $2,336 $28,024 $61,658
2016 $522 $2,213 $26,663 $56,680
2015 $566 $2,284 $30,625 $62,708
2014 $625 $2,224 $41,027 $81,226
2013 $637 $2,133 $44,003 $83,237
2012 $651 $1,988 $46,969 $87,256
2011 $607 $1,744 $46,383 $82,735
2010 $561 $1,766 $34,938 $79,543
2009 $452 $1,571 $30,946 $77,957
2008 $382 $1,334 $42,157 $80,477
2007 $376 $1,287 $36,217 $83,693
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $34,675 $86,114
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $29,386 $81,534
2004 $221.8 $972 $24,423 $80,404
2003 $198.9 $967 $20,678 $79,632
2002 $179 $927 $18,621 $76,838
2001 $138.7 $748 $18,288 $74,254
2000 $174.9 $814 $20,130 $73,087
1999 - - $19,752 $70,585
1998 - - $17,769 $68,257
1997 - - $25,522 $73,980
1996 - - $25,692 $70,008
1995 - - $26,443 $70,440
1994 - - $22,767 $69,779
1993 - - $22,397 $69,387
1992 - - $23,451 $70,016
1991 - - $23,932 $72,610
1990 - - $23,659 $70,201
1989 - - $20,090 -
1988 - - $18,825 -
1987 - - $21,030 -
1986 - - $18,501 -
1985 - - $31,827 -
1984 - - $36,061 -
1983 - - $38,720 -
1982 - - $45,075 -
1981 - - $48,793 -
1980 - - $58,005 -
1979 - - $33,501 -
1978 - - $23,447 -
1977 - - $21,747 -
1976 - - $18,671 -
1975 - - $15,793 -
1974 - - $15,195 -
1973 - - $2,939 -
1972 - - $1,905 -
1971 - - $1,432 -
1970 - - $1,325 -
1969 - - $1,226 -
1968 - - $1,274 -
1967 - - $1,149 -
1966 - - $1,146 -
1965 - - $1,029 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $32,235 in Brunei, ranking 42/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Brunei
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$15B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
147/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
0.67%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$32,235
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
42/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$89,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
9/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$232M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
1.54%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$498
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
169/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$25,392
2026
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
29.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
-0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.87%
2024
Population
45682388
471596

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Brunei
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Brunei
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 29.9% 1.54%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 30.3% 1.57%
2023 17% 8.25% 30.1% 1.67%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 26.1% 1.33%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 30.1% 1.43%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 32.8% 2.16%
2019 28% 6.14% 32.1% 1.82%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 32.9% 1.9%
2017 27.7% 8% 36.6% 2.58%
2016 28% 8.44% 39.8% 3%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 37% 2.95%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 34% 3.23%
2013 25% 6.9% 33.4% 2.21%
2012 25% 6.76% 31.1% 2.1%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 29.9% 2.13%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 25.5% 1.11%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 34.8% 1.11%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 27.2% 0.94%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 29.3% 0.68%
2006 18.3% 23% 28% 0.59%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 29.1% 0%
2004 15.1% 245% 33.2% 0%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 30.9% 0%
2002 6.94% 346% 41.4% 0%
2001 - - 35.5% 0%
2000 - - 37.5% 0%
1999 - - 44.1% 0%
1998 - - 45.4% 0%
1997 - - 39% 0%
1996 - - 36.9% 0%
1995 - - 44% 0%
1994 - - 47.1% 0%
1993 - - 38% 0%
1992 - - 34.1% 0%
1991 - - 30.6% 0%
1990 - - 32% 0%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Brunei spent $4.5B, or 29.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 1.54% in Brunei, ranking 181/185 and 185/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Brunei
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Brunei
2025 -0.89% -13.4%
2024 -0.55% -12.9%
2023 -1.33% -8.62%
2022 -1% -0.25%
2021 -0.48% -8.34%
2020 -2.24% -16.2%
2019 -1.06% -4.16%
2018 1.63% -2.9%
2017 -0.67% -13.8%
2016 0.13% -16.7%
2015 -1.38% -11.4%
2014 -1.72% 1.25%
2013 -0.63% 10.4%
2012 0.18% 19.5%
2011 -0.67% 21.5%
2010 0.93% 11.3%
2009 -1.76% 3.61%
2008 -3.86% 36.1%
2007 -2.46% 3.12%
2006 0.68% 19.8%
2005 -0.92% 16%
2004 -2.39% 8.57%
2003 -2.1% 8.06%
2002 -0.1% -4.61%
2001 - 2.59%
2000 - 6.86%
1999 - -18.3%
1998 - -24%
1997 - -11.8%
1996 - -8.7%
1995 - -19.8%
1994 - -22.6%
1993 - -12.8%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -1.06%
1990 - -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $97.4M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to Brunei's deficit of $1.98B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Brunei ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.58% of GDP for Brunei.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Brunei
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Brunei
2025 2.9% -0.3%
2024 -4.3% -0.39%
2023 -7.7% 0.36%
2022 10.6% 3.68%
2021 7.8% 1.73%
2020 5.6% 1.94%
2019 2.3% -0.39%
2018 0.6% 1.03%
2017 5% -1.26%
2016 4.4% -0.28%
2015 -0.7% -0.49%
2014 4.7% -0.21%
2013 7.4% 0.39%
2012 6.4% 0.11%
2011 11.8% 0.14%
2010 2.2% 0.36%
2009 -6.8% 1.04%
2008 26.4% 2.08%
2007 8.7% 0.97%
2006 6.8% 0.16%
2005 10.6% 1.24%
2004 16.4% 0.81%
2003 35.7% 0.3%
2002 - -2.31%
2001 - 0.6%
2000 - 1.56%
1999 - -0.42%
1998 - -0.44%
1997 - 1.71%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 0.57% in Brunei. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and -0.3% in Brunei.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Brunei
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Brunei
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$2.71B
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
40/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+18%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$6.28B
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$10.3B
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$1.54B
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$463M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
52%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
71.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Brunei
Economic freedom 53 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 55/197
Property rights 3.6 66.1
Government integrity 13.5 60.4
Judicial effectiveness 0 48.6
Tax burden 92 95
Government spending 90.8 75.6
Fiscal health 98.4 39
Business freedom 33.7 75.3
Labor freedom 44.4 75.1
Monetary freedom 84.9 74.8
Trade freedom 68.6 84.6
Investment freedom 10 65
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Brunei
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Brunei
2026 - 67.5
2025 - 67
2024 - 65.9
2023 - 65.7
2022 - 64.8
2021 53 66.6
2020 54.7 66.6
2019 51.5 65.1
2018 51.3 64.2
2017 48.9 69.8
2016 - 67.3
2015 - 68.9
2014 - 69

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2014–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 67.5 for Brunei, ranking 55/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Brunei
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
40.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
60%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
1.18%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$16.2B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$95,420
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$5.49B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
100/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$157M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$29.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
27.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2014–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.