Skip to content

Economy of Afghanistan vs Cambodia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $51.3B for Cambodia, ranking 139/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $13.6B (26.5% of GDP) in Cambodia.

Afghanistan vs Cambodia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Cambodia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Cambodia
2025 - $51,267,065,843
2024 $17,778,508,876 $46,352,647,037
2023 $17,152,234,637 $42,335,646,896
2022 $14,497,243,872 $39,994,532,960
2021 $14,259,995,441 $36,790,163,687
2020 $19,955,929,052 $34,818,073,901
2019 $18,799,444,490 $36,685,356,408
2018 $18,053,222,687 $33,145,892,169
2017 $18,753,456,498 $29,355,665,910
2016 $18,116,572,395 $26,556,545,153
2015 $19,134,221,645 $24,174,170,369
2014 $20,497,128,556 $22,041,463,968
2013 $20,146,416,758 $19,807,135,253
2012 $19,907,329,778 $17,826,536,700
2011 $17,805,098,206 $16,032,622,024
2010 $15,856,668,556 $13,808,673,288
2009 $12,416,152,732 $12,502,901,170
2008 $10,109,297,048 $12,174,303,999
2007 $9,747,886,187 $10,127,916,460
2006 $6,971,758,282 $8,350,531,017
2005 $6,203,256,539 $7,066,296,463
2004 $5,224,896,719 $5,883,297,160
2003 $4,520,946,819 $5,046,693,484
2002 $3,825,701,439 $4,501,227,627
2001 $2,813,571,754 $4,145,665,970
2000 $3,521,418,060 $3,694,168,979
1999 - $3,517,242,477
1998 - $3,120,425,503
1997 - $3,443,413,389
1996 - $3,506,695,720
1995 - $3,441,205,693
1994 - $2,791,435,272
1993 - $2,533,727,592
1992 - $2,491,486,594
1991 - $2,054,974,089
1990 - $1,402,541,177
1989 - $1,353,137,648
1988 - $1,662,877,859
1987 - $1,036,974,910
1986 - $1,167,630,318
1985 - $1,102,669,184
1984 - $1,021,176,059
1983 - $939,291,262
1982 - $865,516,040
1981 - $815,153,652
1980 - $744,384,130
1979 - $723,738,503
1978 - $766,642,356
1977 - $716,261,764
1976 - $790,357,255
1975 - $749,129,748

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Cambodia by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cambodia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Cambodia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $2,872 -
2024 $417 - $2,628 $7,967
2023 $414 $2,202 $2,430 $7,431
2022 $357 $2,123 $2,325 $6,919
2021 $356 $2,144 $2,167 $6,226
2020 $511 $2,562 $2,082 $5,942
2019 $497 $2,583 $2,226 $6,154
2018 $491 $2,432 $2,037 $5,617
2017 $525 $2,336 $1,826 $5,050
2016 $522 $2,213 $1,675 $4,748
2015 $566 $2,284 $1,547 $4,434
2014 $625 $2,224 $1,432 $4,118
2013 $637 $2,133 $1,306 $3,891
2012 $651 $1,988 $1,193 $3,583
2011 $607 $1,744 $1,089 $3,223
2010 $561 $1,766 $952 $2,989
2009 $452 $1,571 $876 $2,854
2008 $382 $1,334 $866 $2,769
2007 $376 $1,287 $732 $2,566
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $612 $2,297
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $526 $2,038
2004 $221.8 $972 $444 $1,770
2003 $198.9 $967 $387 $1,598
2002 $179 $927 $350 $1,442
2001 $138.7 $748 $328 $1,357
2000 $174.9 $814 $296.4 $1,256
1999 - - $286.8 $1,134
1998 - - $258.8 $1,009
1997 - - $297.6 $994
1996 - - $325 $1,006
1995 - - $343 $1,006
1994 - - $302 $972
1993 - - $294.1 $1,565
1992 - - $307 $1,560
1991 - - $267.3 $1,504
1990 - - $190.2 $1,410
1989 - - $191.3 -
1988 - - $244.1 -
1987 - - $158.1 -
1986 - - $185.8 -
1985 - - $182.4 -
1984 - - $174.7 -
1983 - - $166.7 -
1982 - - $159.2 -
1981 - - $154.3 -
1980 - - $143.2 -
1979 - - $142.2 -
1978 - - $147.1 -
1977 - - $126.4 -
1976 - - $128.8 -
1975 - - $113.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $2,872 in Cambodia, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Cambodia ranks 142nd at $7,967.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Cambodia
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$51.3B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
94/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
5.35%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$2,872
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
148/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$7,967
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
142/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$13.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
26.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$760
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
153/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$2,268
2026
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
16.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
2.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
0.26%
2023
Population
45682388
18159213

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Cambodia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Cambodia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 16.3% 26.5%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 16.6% 26.1%
2023 17% 8.25% 19.1% 26.3%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 18.5% 25.3%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 21.4% 26.4%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 20.5% 25.5%
2019 28% 6.14% 17.9% 21.2%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 16.2% 21.3%
2017 27.7% 8% 16.3% 22.9%
2016 28% 8.44% 15.3% 22%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 14.5% 23.4%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 16.4% 24%
2013 25% 6.9% 16.5% 24.6%
2012 25% 6.76% 17.2% 25%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 16.4% 23.7%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 17.1% 23.5%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 16.6% 23.1%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 12.9% 22.7%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 12.4% 25.3%
2006 18.3% 23% 11.2% 26.6%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 10.8% 31.3%
2004 15.1% 245% 12.4% 38.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 14.5% 39.6%
2002 6.94% 346% 16% 37.8%
2001 - - 14.6% 33.6%
2000 - - 14.6% 34.1%
1999 - - 13.8% 34.7%
1998 - - 13.4% 37.2%
1997 - - 12.4% 31.6%
1996 - - 15.7% 30.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Cambodia spent $8.36B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 26.5% in Cambodia, ranking 181/185 and 166/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Cambodia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Cambodia
2025 -0.89% -1%
2024 -0.55% -1.45%
2023 -1.33% -2.83%
2022 -1% -0.29%
2021 -0.48% -5.27%
2020 -2.24% -2.56%
2019 -1.06% 2.23%
2018 1.63% 0.28%
2017 -0.67% -0.77%
2016 0.13% -0.29%
2015 -1.38% -0.65%
2014 -1.72% -1.24%
2013 -0.63% -2.02%
2012 0.18% -3.58%
2011 -0.67% -3.75%
2010 0.93% -3.11%
2009 -1.76% -3.88%
2008 -3.86% 0.42%
2007 -2.46% 0.63%
2006 0.68% -0.15%
2005 -0.92% -0.34%
2004 -2.39% -3.18%
2003 -2.1% -5.67%
2002 -0.1% -6.06%
2001 - -4.96%
2000 - -4.66%
1999 - -3.8%
1998 - -5.36%
1997 - -3.72%
1996 - -7.54%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/cambodia | 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 Cambodia's deficit of $670M, or 1.45% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Cambodia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.89% of GDP for Cambodia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Cambodia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Cambodia
2025 2.9% 2.5%
2024 -4.3% 0.8%
2023 -7.7% 2.1%
2022 10.6% 5.3%
2021 7.8% 2.9%
2020 5.6% 2.9%
2019 2.3% 1.9%
2018 0.6% 2.5%
2017 5% 2.9%
2016 4.4% 3%
2015 -0.7% 1.2%
2014 4.7% 3.9%
2013 7.4% 2.9%
2012 6.4% 2.9%
2011 11.8% 5.5%
2010 2.2% 4%
2009 -6.8% -0.7%
2008 26.4% 25%
2007 8.7% 7.7%
2006 6.8% 6.1%
2005 10.6% 6.3%
2004 16.4% 3.9%
2003 35.7% 1%
2002 - 0%
2001 - -0.1%
2000 - -0.8%
1999 - 2%
1998 - 12.9%
1997 - 10.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 4.2% in Cambodia. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 2.5% in Cambodia.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Cambodia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $420K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $373K
Textiles & consumer goods $50K
Raw materials & minerals $29K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Cambodia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.87B
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
139/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-3.64%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$36.9B
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$31.4B
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$3.22B
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$5.35B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
67.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
68.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Cambodia
Economic freedom 53 58.7
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 108/197
Property rights 3.6 38.1
Government integrity 13.5 18.9
Judicial effectiveness 0 21.2
Tax burden 92 90.3
Government spending 90.8 89.9
Fiscal health 98.4 92.7
Business freedom 33.7 60.8
Labor freedom 44.4 48.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 77
Trade freedom 68.6 67.8
Investment freedom 10 50
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Cambodia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Cambodia
2026 - 58.7
2025 - 58.2
2024 - 55.6
2023 - 56.5
2022 - 57.1
2021 53 57.3
2020 54.7 57.3
2019 51.5 57.8
2018 51.3 58.7
2017 48.9 59.5
2016 - 57.9
2015 - 57.5
2014 - 57.4
2013 - 58.5
2012 - 57.6
2011 - 57.9
2010 - 56.6
2009 - 56.6
2008 - 55.9
2007 - 55.9
2006 - 56.7
2005 - 60
2004 - 61.1
2003 - 63.7
2002 - 60.7
2001 - 59.6
2000 - 59.3
1999 - 59.9
1998 - 59.8
1997 - 52.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 58.7 for Cambodia, ranking 108/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Cambodia
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
35%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
43.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
16.1%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$49.1B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$8,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$27.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
60/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$4.96B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$4.39B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$172M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
7.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
17.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
31.5%
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/cambodia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1996–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.