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Economy of Afghanistan vs Burkina Faso compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $23.1B for Burkina Faso, ranking 137/197 and 122/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $13.2B (57.2% of GDP) in Burkina Faso.

Afghanistan vs Burkina Faso GDP by year

Afghanistan
Burkina Faso
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Burkina Faso
2024 - $23,124,729,853
2023 $17,152,234,637 $20,112,614,449
2022 $14,497,243,872 $18,622,421,395
2021 $14,259,995,441 $19,697,516,284
2020 $19,955,929,052 $17,725,010,533
2019 $18,799,444,490 $16,032,813,503
2018 $18,053,222,687 $15,890,066,221
2017 $18,753,456,498 $14,106,955,615
2016 $18,116,572,395 $12,833,363,045
2015 $19,134,221,645 $11,832,159,316
2014 $20,497,128,556 $13,943,016,077
2013 $20,146,416,758 $13,444,300,486
2012 $19,907,329,778 $12,561,015,157
2011 $17,805,098,206 $12,080,295,978
2010 $15,856,668,556 $10,109,619,741
2009 $12,416,152,732 $9,450,696,873
2008 $10,109,297,048 $9,451,435,490
2007 $9,747,886,187 $7,625,722,837
2006 $6,971,758,282 $6,547,419,820
2005 $6,203,256,539 $6,146,353,173
2004 $5,224,896,719 $5,451,688,538
2003 $4,520,946,819 $4,740,768,143
2002 $3,825,701,439 $3,622,350,063
2001 $2,813,571,754 $3,190,371,081
2000 $3,521,418,060 $2,968,370,088
1999 - $3,389,566,713
1998 - $2,804,902,367
1997 - $2,447,669,102
1996 - $2,586,550,595
1995 - $2,379,517,975
1994 - $1,895,290,637
1993 - $3,199,536,465
1992 - $3,356,692,505
1991 - $3,135,045,584
1990 - $3,101,300,779
1989 - $2,615,587,734
1988 - $2,616,040,479
1987 - $2,369,834,950
1986 - $2,036,303,358
1985 - $1,552,493,196
1984 - $1,459,880,132
1983 - $1,600,278,605
1982 - $1,754,450,096
1981 - $1,775,842,334
1980 - $1,928,719,888
1979 - $1,748,480,621
1978 - $1,475,583,645
1977 - $1,131,224,878
1976 - $976,547,188
1975 - $939,972,703
1974 - $751,133,430
1973 - $674,773,570
1972 - $578,595,522
1971 - $482,411,179
1970 - $458,404,269
1969 - $478,298,645
1968 - $460,442,689
1967 - $450,753,924
1966 - $433,889,766
1965 - $422,916,790
1964 - $410,321,645
1963 - $394,040,667
1962 - $379,567,099
1961 - $350,247,234
1960 - $330,442,816

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/burkina-faso | CC BY

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Burkina Faso by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Burkina Faso
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $982 $2,896
2023 $414 $2,202 $873 $2,759
2022 $357 $2,123 $827 $2,645
2021 $356 $2,144 $896 $2,486
2020 $511 $2,562 $825 $2,381
2019 $497 $2,583 $765 $2,232
2018 $491 $2,432 $777 $2,073
2017 $525 $2,336 $709 $2,042
2016 $522 $2,213 $664 $1,882
2015 $566 $2,284 $630 $1,692
2014 $625 $2,224 $765 $1,661
2013 $637 $2,133 $760 $1,643
2012 $651 $1,988 $731 $1,572
2011 $607 $1,744 $725 $1,531
2010 $561 $1,766 $625 $1,449
2009 $452 $1,571 $602 $1,360
2008 $382 $1,334 $619 $1,351
2007 $376 $1,287 $515 $1,290
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $456 $1,244
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $441 $1,172
2004 $221.8 $972 $404 $1,079
2003 $198.9 $967 $362 $1,038
2002 $179 $927 $285.7 $974
2001 $138.7 $748 $259.5 $948
2000 $174.9 $814 $248.9 $896
1999 - - $292.8 $886
1998 - - $249.5 $838
1997 - - $223.9 $794
1996 - - $242.7 $753
1995 - - $229.1 $684
1994 - - $187.2 $650
1993 - - $324 $644
1992 - - $349 $623
1991 - - $334 $623
1990 - - $339 $567
1989 - - $293.2 -
1988 - - $301 -
1987 - - $280.2 -
1986 - - $247.5 -
1985 - - $194.1 -
1984 - - $187.8 -
1983 - - $211.9 -
1982 - - $239 -
1981 - - $248.7 -
1980 - - $277.6 -
1979 - - $258.5 -
1978 - - $223.9 -
1977 - - $176 -
1976 - - $155.5 -
1975 - - $152.9 -
1974 - - $124.7 -
1973 - - $114.1 -
1972 - - $99.6 -
1971 - - $84.5 -
1970 - - $81.7 -
1969 - - $86.8 -
1968 - - $85 -
1967 - - $84.6 -
1966 - - $82.8 -
1965 - - $82.1 -
1964 - - $80.9 -
1963 - - $78.9 -
1962 - - $77.2 -
1961 - - $72.2 -
1960 - - $69.2 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/burkina-faso | CC BY

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $982 in Burkina Faso, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Burkina Faso
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$23.1B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
122/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
4.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$982
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
180/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$2,896
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
181/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$13.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$562
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
162/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$2,710
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.2%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
27.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
4.19%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.44%
2024
Population
45409324
24756783

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Burkina Faso
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 27.8% 57.2%
2023 17% 8.42% 29.4% 56.8%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 32.9% 59.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 27.8% 55.5%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 24.4% 43.6%
2019 28% 6.14% 23.3% 41.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 24.2% 38.1%
2017 27.7% 8% 26.3% 33.9%
2016 28% 8.44% 21.6% 32.9%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 20.4% 31.3%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 20.9% 26.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 25.3% 25.9%
2012 25% 6.77% 22.7% 25.2%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 20.4% 24.5%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 21.7% 23.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 21.5% 25.9%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 18.6% 24.9%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 22.8% 22.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 21.9% 20.1%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 20.2% 39.2%
2004 15.1% 245% 20.3% 40.7%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 17.6% 39.7%
2002 6.94% 346% 19.5% 43.3%
2001 - - 19.7% 46.6%
2000 - - 19.8% 47.5%
1999 - - 21.4% 46.4%
1998 - - 19.7% 47.7%
1997 - - 20% 48.4%
1996 - - 19.8% 45.8%
1995 - - 19.4% 48.9%
1994 - - 17.8% 55.1%
1993 - - 17.9% 33.6%
1992 - - 16.7% 29.6%
1991 - - 17% 28.7%
1990 - - 18.4% 25.6%
1989 - - 14.2% 25.5%
1988 - - 16.2% 28.8%
1987 - - 19.2% 30.7%
1986 - - 16.3% 27.6%
1985 - - 11.5% 28.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/burkina-faso | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Burkina Faso spent $6.43B, or 27.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 57.2% in Burkina Faso, ranking 181/185 and 89/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Burkina Faso
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Burkina Faso
2024 -0.54% -5.84%
2023 -1.33% -6.91%
2022 -1% -10.9%
2021 -0.48% -7.45%
2020 -2.24% -5.16%
2019 -1.06% -3.39%
2018 1.63% -4.43%
2017 -0.67% -6.92%
2016 0.13% -3.08%
2015 -1.38% -2.09%
2014 -1.72% -1.74%
2013 -0.63% -3.55%
2012 0.18% -2.76%
2011 -0.67% -2.04%
2010 0.93% -4.06%
2009 -1.76% -4.16%
2008 -3.86% -3.63%
2007 -2.46% -5.01%
2006 0.68% 14.3%
2005 -0.92% -4.89%
2004 -2.39% -4.19%
2003 -2.1% -1.79%
2002 -0.1% -4.43%
2001 - -3.56%
2000 - -3.03%
1999 - -3.29%
1998 - -2.6%
1997 - -2.64%
1996 - -1.67%
1995 - -2.65%
1994 - -1.89%
1993 - -3.81%
1992 - -2.51%
1991 - -2.77%
1990 - -7.54%
1989 - 1.96%
1988 - -4.32%
1987 - -5.27%
1986 - -5.1%
1985 - -1.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/burkina-faso | 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 Burkina Faso's deficit of $1.39B, or 6.91% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Burkina Faso ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.56% of GDP for Burkina Faso.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Burkina Faso
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Burkina Faso
2024 -4.3% 4.19%
2023 -7.7% 0.74%
2022 10.6% 14.3%
2021 7.8% 3.65%
2020 5.6% 1.88%
2019 2.3% -3.23%
2018 0.6% 1.96%
2017 5% 1.48%
2016 4.4% 0.44%
2015 -0.7% 0.72%
2014 4.7% -0.26%
2013 7.4% 0.53%
2012 6.4% 3.82%
2011 11.8% 2.76%
2010 2.2% -0.76%
2009 -6.8% 2.61%
2008 26.4% 10.7%
2007 8.7% -0.23%
2006 6.8% 2.33%
2005 10.6% 6.42%
2004 16.4% -0.4%
2003 35.7% 2.03%
2002 - 2.18%
2001 - 5.01%
2000 - -0.3%
1999 - -1.07%
1998 - 5.08%
1997 - 2.32%

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/burkina-faso | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.53% in Burkina Faso. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 4.19% in Burkina Faso.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Burkina Faso
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.02B
2023
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
122/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-5.06%
2023
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$5.38B
2023
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$5.29B
2023
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$1.45B
2023
Service exports
$700M
2020
$621M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
31.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
28.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Burkina Faso
Economic freedom 53 49.1
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 167/197
Property rights 3.6 17.6
Government integrity 13.5 40.2
Judicial effectiveness 0 26.1
Tax burden 92 80.8
Government spending 90.8 72.9
Fiscal health 98.4 13.4
Business freedom 33.7 37.8
Labor freedom 44.4 62.1
Monetary freedom 84.9 71.9
Trade freedom 68.6 61
Investment freedom 10 65
Financial freedom 10 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Burkina Faso
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Burkina Faso
2026 - 49.1
2025 - 51
2024 - 51.9
2023 - 56.2
2022 - 58.3
2021 53 56.5
2020 54.7 56.7
2019 51.5 59.4
2018 51.3 60
2017 48.9 59.6
2016 - 59.1
2015 - 58.6
2014 - 58.9
2013 - 59.9
2012 - 60.6
2011 - 60.6
2010 - 59.4
2009 - 59.5
2008 - 55.7
2007 - 55.1
2006 - 55.8
2005 - 56.6
2004 - 58
2003 - 58.9
2002 - 58.8
2001 - 56.7
2000 - 55.7
1999 - 55
1998 - 54.5
1997 - 54
1996 - 49.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/burkina-faso | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 49.1 for Burkina Faso, ranking 167/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Burkina Faso
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
43.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
26.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
20.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$20.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$2,720
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
n/a
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$64.3M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$82.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.73M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
4.07%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
43.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
21.9%
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/burkina-faso | 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 (1990–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.