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Economy of Afghanistan vs Bulgaria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $112B for Bulgaria, ranking 137/197 and 68/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.42B in government debt (8.25% of GDP), compared to $26.2B (28% of GDP) in Bulgaria.

The chart below compares the two countries' GDP growth in both current (nominal) and constant dollars, accounting for inflation over time.

Afghanistan
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Bulgaria
GDP, current $

GDP, constant 2015 $
Year GDP
Afghanistan Bulgaria
Current $ Constant $ Current $ Constant $
1980 - - $19,839,230,769 $30,380,971,166
1981 - - $19,870,000,000 $31,869,687,928
1982 - - $19,342,000,000 $32,613,706,697
1983 - - $16,563,666,667 $33,732,456,606
1984 - - $17,594,944,444 $34,878,160,477
1985 - - $17,155,421,053 $35,814,095,245
1986 - - $20,249,294,118 $37,321,009,834
1987 - - $28,101,000,000 $39,580,615,539
1988 - - $22,555,941,176 $43,912,592,027
1989 - - $21,988,444,444 $42,467,919,536
1990 - - $20,632,090,909 $38,595,959,168
1991 - - $7,628,738,475 $35,336,393,321
1992 - - $8,602,887,623 $32,766,593,697
1993 - - $10,832,064,942 $32,281,577,705
1994 - - $9,709,240,034 $32,868,460,441
1995 - - $18,991,484,420 $33,809,162,070
1996 - - $12,294,964,838 $35,569,061,581
1997 - - $11,316,127,379 $30,548,353,201
1998 - - $15,031,055,047 $31,705,867,020
1999 - - $13,637,098,579 $29,043,813,498
2000 $3,521,418,060 $6,206,547,590 $13,245,990,274 $30,376,118,720
2001 $2,813,571,754 $5,621,147,631 $14,183,446,026 $31,537,611,700
2002 $3,825,701,439 $7,228,795,919 $16,403,043,850 $33,389,478,558
2003 $4,520,946,819 $7,867,263,256 $21,144,957,990 $35,138,136,848
2004 $5,224,896,719 $7,978,515,642 $26,157,743,369 $37,425,778,955
2005 $6,203,256,539 $8,874,480,196 $29,868,657,858 $40,066,672,613
2006 $6,971,758,282 $9,349,921,886 $34,380,536,496 $42,792,243,672
2007 $9,747,886,187 $10,642,671,963 $44,431,257,129 $45,639,805,450
2008 $10,109,297,048 $11,060,395,116 $54,480,684,188 $48,437,324,161
2009 $12,416,152,732 $13,426,272,073 $52,023,801,230 $46,816,058,447
2010 $15,856,668,556 $15,354,612,542 $50,689,051,382 $47,544,216,522
2011 $17,805,098,206 $15,420,077,666 $57,681,293,007 $48,537,973,978
2012 $19,907,329,778 $17,386,490,239 $54,297,052,002 $48,901,433,558
2013 $20,146,416,758 $18,360,263,163 $55,819,262,375 $48,636,020,243
2014 $20,497,128,556 $18,860,496,494 $57,080,897,012 $49,097,794,444
2015 $19,134,221,645 $19,134,221,645 $50,765,918,159 $50,765,918,159
2016 $18,116,572,395 $19,566,715,174 $53,929,397,039 $52,302,414,125
2017 $18,753,456,498 $20,084,646,751 $59,167,647,388 $53,738,599,947
2018 $18,053,222,687 $20,323,499,020 $66,251,582,036 $55,108,646,394
2019 $18,799,444,490 $21,118,473,702 $68,634,004,792 $57,196,630,544
2020 $19,955,929,052 $20,621,957,125 $70,550,652,467 $55,357,337,084
2021 $14,259,995,441 $16,345,202,563 $84,414,122,840 $59,664,478,254
2022 $14,497,243,872 $15,325,233,810 $90,509,236,929 $62,074,193,827
2023 $17,152,234,637 $15,672,648,238 $102,396,840,296 $63,245,418,927
2024 - - $112,211,952,704 $65,023,138,714

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Bulgaria
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$112B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
68/197
2024
GDP growth
18.3%
2022-2023
9.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$17,412
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
64/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$41,086
2024
Government debt
$1.42B
2023
$26.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.25%
2023
28%
2025
Government debt per person
$34.2
2023
$4,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
90/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,632
2025
$12,784
2025
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$8.41B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2023
39%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
3.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
1.82%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.17%
2024
Population
44810409
6403235

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Bulgaria

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $17,412 in Bulgaria, ranking 64/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Bulgaria ranks 57th at $41,086.

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Year Current $
Afghanistan Bulgaria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
1980 - - $2,239 -
1981 - - $2,235 -
1982 - - $2,169 -
1983 - - $1,853 -
1984 - - $1,964 -
1985 - - $1,915 -
1986 - - $2,260 -
1987 - - $3,132 -
1988 - - $2,511 -
1989 - - $2,477 -
1990 - - $2,367 $7,546
1991 - - $884 $7,213
1992 - - $1,007 $6,915
1993 - - $1,279 $7,030
1994 - - $1,150 $7,335
1995 - - $2,259 $7,738
1996 - - $1,470 $6,846
1997 - - $1,361 $5,749
1998 - - $1,820 $6,178
1999 - - $1,661 $5,808
2000 $174.9 $814 $1,621 $6,423
2001 $138.7 $748 $1,771 $6,961
2002 $179 $927 $2,093 $7,786
2003 $198.9 $967 $2,719 $8,417
2004 $221.8 $972 $3,390 $9,202
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $3,900 $10,291
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $4,523 $11,408
2007 $376 $1,287 $5,889 $12,822
2008 $382 $1,334 $7,271 $14,347
2009 $452 $1,571 $6,988 $14,181
2010 $561 $1,766 $6,854 $14,956
2011 $607 $1,744 $7,850 $15,747
2012 $651 $1,988 $7,432 $16,327
2013 $637 $2,133 $7,796 $16,894
2014 $625 $2,224 $8,070 $17,991
2015 $566 $2,284 $7,269 $18,901
2016 $522 $2,213 $7,822 $20,745
2017 $525 $2,336 $8,697 $22,317
2018 $491 $2,432 $9,872 $24,053
2019 $497 $2,583 $10,373 $26,814
2020 $511 $2,562 $10,770 $27,377
2021 $356 $2,144 $12,972 $30,974
2022 $357 $2,123 $14,000 $35,816
2023 $414 $2,202 $15,884 $37,508
2024 - - $17,412 $41,086

Spending and national debt comparison

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Bulgaria's spent $41.1B, or 39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.25% in Afghanistan and 28% in Bulgaria, ranking 181/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Afghanistan
Government spending

Government debt
Bulgaria
Government spending

Government debt
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Bulgaria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
1995 - - 45.4% 72%
1996 - - 44% 113.8%
1997 - - 32.9% 88.4%
1998 - - 30.6% 67.3%
1999 - - 36.2% 78.7%
2000 - - 37.1% 73.3%
2001 - - 36.5% 67.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 35.1% 53.4%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 35.8% 45.4%
2004 15.1% 245% 34.6% 37.8%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 34% 28.5%
2006 18.3% 23% 32.5% 22.6%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 33.1% 17.6%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 33.5% 14.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 33.8% 14.5%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 34.6% 14.1%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 32% 14.3%
2012 25% 6.76% 32.5% 16.5%
2013 25% 6.9% 35.5% 17.2%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 37.1% 26.3%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 37.3% 25.4%
2016 28% 8.44% 32.7% 27%
2017 27.7% 8% 32% 22.9%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 34.4% 20.1%
2019 28% 6.14% 36% 18.4%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 37.6% 22.7%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 38.4% 22.4%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 37.6% 21.5%
2023 17% 8.25% 37.4% 21.9%
2024 - - 36.6% 23.4%
2025 - - 39% 28%

Government deficit by year

In 2023, Afghanistan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was -$234M, equivalent to -1.36% of GDP. This compares to Bulgaria's deficit of -$3.11B, or -3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Bulgaria ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to -0.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of -0.49% of GDP for Bulgaria.

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Bulgaria
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Bulgaria
1924 - 1.26%
1925 - -0.97%
1926 - -0.25%
1927 - -0.02%
1928 - -1.09%
1929 - -6.67%
1930 - -5.48%
1931 - -3.07%
1932 - -2.14%
1933 - -0.56%
1934 - -0.12%
1935 - 1.34%
1936 - 1.17%
1937 - 1.41%
1938 - 1%
1939 - 0.72%
1940 - 0.75%
1941 - 3.96%
1942 - -0.3%
1943 - 0%
1944 - 0%
1945 - 0%
1946 - 0%
1947 - 0%
1948 - 0%
1949 - 0%
1950 - 0%
1951 - 0%
1952 - 0%
1953 - 0%
1954 - 0%
1955 - 0%
1956 - 0%
1957 - 0%
1958 - 0%
1959 - 0%
1960 - 0%
1961 - 0%
1962 - 0%
1963 - 0%
1964 - 0%
1965 - 0%
1966 - 0%
1967 - 0%
1968 - 0%
1969 - 0%
1970 - 0%
1971 - 0%
1972 - 0%
1973 - 0%
1974 - 0%
1975 - 0%
1976 - 0%
1977 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1979 - 0%
1980 - 0%
1981 - 0%
1982 - 0%
1983 - 0%
1984 - 0%
1985 - 0%
1986 - 0%
1987 - 0%
1988 - 0%
1989 - 0%
1990 - 0%
1991 - 0%
1992 - 0%
1993 - 0%
1994 - 0%
1995 - -7.98%
1996 - -10.1%
1997 - 0.83%
1998 - 1.08%
1999 - 0.15%
2000 - -0.6%
2001 - -0.58%
2002 -0.1% -0.61%
2003 -2.1% 0.003%
2004 -2.39% 1.59%
2005 -0.92% 2.19%
2006 0.68% 3.22%
2007 -2.46% 3.09%
2008 -3.86% 2.73%
2009 -1.76% -0.86%
2010 0.93% -3.77%
2011 -0.67% -1.83%
2012 0.18% -0.43%
2013 -0.63% -1.75%
2014 -1.72% -3.65%
2015 -1.38% -2.77%
2016 0.13% 1.54%
2017 -0.67% 0.82%
2018 1.63% 0.12%
2019 -1.06% -0.96%
2020 -2.24% -2.92%
2021 -0.48% -2.8%
2022 -1% -0.8%
2023 -1.36% -3.03%
2024 - -3.03%
2025 - -3.03%

Inflation comparison by year

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 3.8% in Bulgaria. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 3.6% in Bulgaria.

Inflation
Afghanistan

Bulgaria
Year Inflation
Afghanistan Bulgaria Afghanistan Bulgaria
1996 - 123%
1997 - 1,061%
1998 - 18.7%
1999 - 2.6%
2000 - 10.3%
2001 - 7.4%
2002 - 5.8%
2003 35.7% 2.3%
2004 16.4% 6.1%
2005 10.6% 6%
2006 6.8% 7.4%
2007 8.7% 7.6%
2008 26.4% 12%
2009 -6.8% 2.5%
2010 2.2% 3%
2011 11.8% 3.4%
2012 6.4% 2.4%
2013 7.4% 0.4%
2014 4.7% -1.6%
2015 -0.7% -1.1%
2016 4.4% -1.3%
2017 5% 1.2%
2018 0.6% 2.6%
2019 2.3% 2.5%
2020 5.6% 1.2%
2021 7.8% 2.8%
2022 10.6% 13%
2023 -7.7% 8.6%
2024 -4.3% 2.6%
2025 - 3.6%

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.05M
Chemicals & pharma $898K
Textiles & consumer goods $196K
Raw agricultural goods $132K
Wood & paper products $96K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $79K
Raw materials & minerals $77K
Metals $52K
Miscellaneous $11K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Bulgaria
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$2.01B
2024
Current account balance ranking
157/189
2020
142/189
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$51.8B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$46B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$8.2B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$16.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
53.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
55.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Bulgaria
Economic freedom 53 68.8
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 43/197
Property rights 7.4 75.7
Government integrity 14.1 48.5
Judicial effectiveness 2.7 56.6
Tax burden 91.1 94.2
Government spending 76.1 56.7
Fiscal health 99.9 91.1
Business freedom 34.6 74.9
Labor freedom 45.1 68
Monetary freedom 80.8 70.8
Trade freedom 68.6 79.6
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom by year comparison

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 68.8 for Bulgaria, ranking 43/197. The chart below displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Afghanistan
Bulgaria
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Bulgaria
1995 - 50
1996 - 48.6
1997 - 47.6
1998 - 45.7
1999 - 46.2
2000 - 47.3
2001 - 51.9
2002 - 57.1
2003 - 57
2004 - 59.2
2005 - 62.3
2006 - 64.1
2007 - 62.7
2008 - 63.7
2009 - 64.6
2010 - 62.3
2011 - 64.9
2012 - 64.7
2013 - 65
2014 - 65.7
2015 - 66.8
2016 - 65.9
2017 48.9 67.9
2018 51.3 68.3
2019 51.5 69
2020 54.7 70.2
2021 53 70.4
2022 - 71
2023 - 69.3
2024 - 68.5
2025 - 68.8

More economic indicators

Afghanistan Bulgaria
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
22.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
2.07%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$98.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$39,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$43.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
47/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$2.47B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$20.6M
2021
$3.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30.8M
2021
$1.03B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
20.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

GDP per capita

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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.