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Economy of Afghanistan vs Canada compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $2.24T for Canada, ranking 137/197 and 9/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $2.5T (111.3% of GDP) in Canada.

Afghanistan vs Canada GDP by year

Afghanistan
Canada
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Canada
2024 - $2,243,636,826,634
2023 $17,152,234,637 $2,173,339,670,064
2022 $14,497,243,872 $2,190,411,080,134
2021 $14,259,995,441 $2,022,378,748,423
2020 $19,955,929,052 $1,655,684,730,000
2019 $18,799,444,490 $1,743,725,183,673
2018 $18,053,222,687 $1,725,329,192,783
2017 $18,753,456,498 $1,649,265,644,244
2016 $18,116,572,395 $1,527,994,741,907
2015 $19,134,221,645 $1,556,508,816,217
2014 $20,497,128,556 $1,805,749,878,440
2013 $20,146,416,758 $1,846,597,421,835
2012 $19,907,329,778 $1,828,366,481,522
2011 $17,805,098,206 $1,793,326,630,175
2010 $15,856,668,556 $1,617,343,367,486
2009 $12,416,152,732 $1,374,625,142,157
2008 $10,109,297,048 $1,552,989,690,722
2007 $9,747,886,187 $1,468,820,407,783
2006 $6,971,758,282 $1,319,264,809,591
2005 $6,203,256,539 $1,173,108,598,779
2004 $5,224,896,719 $1,026,690,238,278
2003 $4,520,946,819 $895,540,646,635
2002 $3,825,701,439 $760,649,334,098
2001 $2,813,571,754 $738,981,792,355
2000 $3,521,418,060 $744,773,415,932
1999 - $678,412,196,271
1998 - $634,000,000,000
1997 - $654,986,999,856
1996 - $630,607,994,133
1995 - $605,961,090,061
1994 - $579,944,346,807
1993 - $579,053,561,739
1992 - $594,387,358,319
1991 - $612,527,712,316
1990 - $596,075,591,361
1989 - $567,211,993,243
1988 - $509,380,027,627
1987 - $433,134,238,311
1986 - $379,006,836,992
1985 - $366,186,012,450
1984 - $356,718,400,124
1983 - $341,866,277,183
1982 - $314,647,807,409
1981 - $307,246,642,756
1980 - $274,776,566,028
1979 - $243,891,124,296
1978 - $219,369,542,386
1977 - $212,325,176,305
1976 - $207,271,612,576
1975 - $174,419,757,177
1974 - $160,949,188,139
1973 - $131,764,343,566
1972 - $113,463,848,874
1971 - $99,606,454,744
1970 - $88,192,257,632
1969 - $79,405,011,125
1968 - $72,048,833,006
1967 - $65,856,924,424
1966 - $61,252,415,405
1965 - $54,649,410,479
1964 - $49,503,663,836
1963 - $45,140,337,827
1962 - $42,336,211,556
1961 - $41,038,192,838
1960 - $40,563,768,947

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Canada by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Canada
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Canada
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $54,340 $64,610
2023 $414 $2,202 $54,220 $64,219
2022 $357 $2,123 $56,257 $63,944
2021 $356 $2,144 $52,887 $56,995
2020 $511 $2,562 $43,538 $48,591
2019 $497 $2,583 $46,353 $50,499
2018 $491 $2,432 $46,539 $49,983
2017 $525 $2,336 $45,130 $48,317
2016 $522 $2,213 $42,314 $46,471
2015 $566 $2,284 $43,594 $44,668
2014 $625 $2,224 $50,961 $45,758
2013 $637 $2,133 $52,638 $44,301
2012 $651 $1,988 $52,670 $42,292
2011 $607 $1,744 $52,224 $41,667
2010 $561 $1,766 $47,561 $40,103
2009 $452 $1,571 $40,875 $38,863
2008 $382 $1,334 $46,710 $40,376
2007 $376 $1,287 $44,660 $39,573
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $40,504 $38,123
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $36,384 $36,328
2004 $221.8 $972 $32,146 $33,929
2003 $198.9 $967 $28,302 $32,350
2002 $179 $927 $24,256 $30,964
2001 $138.7 $748 $23,822 $30,241
2000 $174.9 $814 $24,271 $29,348
1999 - - $22,315 $27,841
1998 - - $21,025 $26,324
1997 - - $21,902 $25,264
1996 - - $21,297 $24,055
1995 - - $20,680 $23,474
1994 - - $19,998 $22,624
1993 - - $20,187 $21,432
1992 - - $20,950 $20,619
1991 - - $21,847 $20,220
1990 - - $21,526 $20,226
1989 - - $20,795 -
1988 - - $19,013 -
1987 - - $16,378 -
1986 - - $14,521 -
1985 - - $14,170 -
1984 - - $13,930 -
1983 - - $13,477 -
1982 - - $12,527 -
1981 - - $12,379 -
1980 - - $11,208 -
1979 - - $10,078 -
1978 - - $9,154 -
1977 - - $8,949 -
1976 - - $8,839 -
1975 - - $7,537 -
1974 - - $7,057 -
1973 - - $5,858 -
1972 - - $5,107 -
1971 - - $4,535 -
1970 - - $4,136 -
1969 - - $3,776 -
1968 - - $3,473 -
1967 - - $3,226 -
1966 - - $3,055 -
1965 - - $2,777 -
1964 - - $2,562 -
1963 - - $2,380 -
1962 - - $2,274 -
1961 - - $2,246 -
1960 - - $2,265 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $54,340 in Canada, ranking 20/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Canada ranks 28th at $64,610.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Canada
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$2.24T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
9/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$54,340
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
20/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$64,610
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
28/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$2.5T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
111.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$60,482
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
4/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$37,320
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.37T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
2,098,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
76
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
44.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.38%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
6.35%
2024
Population
45409324
42181965

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Canada
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Canada
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 44.7% 111.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 42.1% 107.7%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 40.6% 104.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 45.5% 112.6%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 52.4% 118.1%
2019 28% 6.14% 40.6% 90.2%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 40.7% 90.8%
2017 27.7% 8% 40.5% 90.9%
2016 28% 8.44% 40.8% 92.4%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 40% 92%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 38.4% 85.5%
2013 25% 6.92% 40% 87.6%
2012 25% 6.77% 40.9% 87.2%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 41.6% 84.3%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 43.1% 84%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 43.4% 81.8%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 38.8% 70.4%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 38.5% 67.2%
2006 18.3% 23% 38.7% 69.9%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 38.5% 70.6%
2004 15.1% 245% 39.1% 71.9%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 40.3% 75.9%
2002 6.94% 346% 40.4% 79.6%
2001 - - 41.1% 81.5%
2000 - - 40.6% 80.4%
1999 - - 41.8% 89%
1998 - - 43.4% 93.3%
1997 - - 43.5% 95.3%
1996 - - 45.9% 100.2%
1995 - - 47.7% 100.1%
1994 - - 49% 97.5%
1993 - - 51.5% 94.7%
1992 - - 52.5% 88.2%
1991 - - 51.4% 81.7%
1990 - - 48.1% 73.7%
1989 - - 45.8% 72.2%
1988 - - 45.4% 71.1%
1987 - - 46.1% 71.4%
1986 - - 47.6% 71%
1985 - - 48.3% 66.9%
1984 - - 47.5% 61.7%
1983 - - 47.9% 58.4%
1982 - - 47.3% 52.7%
1981 - - 42.5% 46.9%
1980 - - 41.6% 45.6%
1979 - - 40% 45.3%
1978 - - 41.6% 48%
1977 - - 41.4% 45.1%
1976 - - 40.2% 43.6%
1975 - - 41.1% 45.2%
1974 - - 37.6% 45.8%
1973 - - 36% 48%
1972 - - 37.5% 53.5%
1971 - - 37.3% 55.3%
1970 - - 36% 54.3%
1969 - - 33.9% 53%
1968 - - 33.8% 55.9%
1967 - - 32.9% 56.9%
1966 - - 30.8% 56.6%
1965 - - 29.8% 60.1%
1964 - - 29.7% 63.7%
1963 - - 30.3% 67%
1962 - - 30.6% 67.2%
1961 - - 30.6% 68.2%
1960 - - 14.9% 66.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Canada spent $1T, or 44.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 111.3% in Canada, ranking 181/185 and 15/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Canada
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Canada
2024 -0.54% -2.01%
2023 -1.33% 0.07%
2022 -1% 0.56%
2021 -0.48% -3.06%
2020 -2.24% -10.9%
2019 -1.06% -0.02%
2018 1.63% 0.36%
2017 -0.67% -0.11%
2016 0.13% -0.45%
2015 -1.38% -0.06%
2014 -1.72% 0.17%
2013 -0.63% -1.49%
2012 0.18% -2.52%
2011 -0.67% -3.31%
2010 0.93% -4.74%
2009 -1.76% -3.88%
2008 -3.86% 0.18%
2007 -2.46% 1.82%
2006 0.68% 1.83%
2005 -0.92% 1.55%
2004 -2.39% 0.77%
2003 -2.1% -0.13%
2002 -0.1% -0.23%
2001 - 0.53%
2000 - 2.64%
1999 - 1.66%
1998 - 0.14%
1997 - 0.04%
1996 - -3.05%
1995 - -5.49%
1994 - -6.94%
1993 - -8.93%
1992 - -9.2%
1991 - -8.36%
1990 - -5.91%
1989 - -4.6%
1988 - -4.33%
1987 - -5.42%
1986 - -7.14%
1985 - -8.59%
1984 - -7.78%
1983 - -8.17%
1982 - -7.03%
1981 - -2.83%
1980 - -4.07%
1979 - -3.41%
1978 - -4.77%
1977 - -4.1%
1976 - -2.78%
1975 - -3.54%
1974 - 1.1%
1973 - 0.6%
1972 - -0.97%
1971 - -1.02%
1970 - -0.36%
1969 - 1.2%
1968 - -0.45%
1967 - -0.82%
1966 - -0.07%
1965 - -0.25%
1964 - -0.68%
1963 - -2.31%
1962 - -2.6%
1961 - -2.75%
1960 - -0.85%
1959 - -1.08%
1958 - -1.69%
1957 - -0.11%
1956 - 0.77%
1955 - -0.11%
1954 - -0.57%
1953 - 0.3%
1952 - 0.09%
1951 - 1.1%
1950 - 1.09%
1949 - 0.78%
1948 - 3.84%
1947 - 5.02%
1946 - 3.14%
1945 - -17.9%
1944 - -21.6%
1943 - -23.1%
1942 - -20.8%
1941 - -4.79%
1940 - -5.62%
1939 - -2.11%
1938 - -0.97%
1937 - -0.34%
1936 - -1.68%
1935 - -3.72%
1934 - -2.93%
1933 - -3.83%
1932 - -5.79%
1931 - -2.43%
1930 - -1.47%
1929 - 0.78%
1928 - 1.12%
1927 - 0.92%
1926 - 0.81%
1925 - 0.55%
1924 - 0.007%
1923 - 0.79%
1922 - -0.75%
1921 - -2%
1920 - -1.82%
1919 - -8.94%
1918 - -8.98%
1917 - -7.83%
1916 - -8.14%
1915 - -6.17%
1914 - -4.63%
1913 - -0.82%
1912 - 1.03%
1911 - 0.004%
1910 - -0.18%
1909 - -0.67%
1908 - -2.78%
1907 - -0.83%
1906 - 0.22%
1905 - -0.07%
1904 - -0.44%
1903 - 0.07%
1902 - 0.91%
1901 - -0.34%
1900 - -0.33%
1899 - 0.1%
1898 - -0.3%
1897 - -0.35%
1896 - -0.48%
1895 - -0.85%
1894 - -1.06%
1893 - -0.66%
1892 - -0.07%
1891 - 3.23%
1890 - -0.04%
1889 - 0%
1888 - -0.48%
1887 - -1.18%
1886 - -0.73%
1885 - -4.82%
1884 - -2.43%
1883 - -3.88%
1882 - -0.78%
1881 - 0.32%
1880 - -0.62%
1879 - -2.11%
1878 - -0.63%
1877 - -1.63%
1876 - -2.06%
1875 - -1.88%
1874 - -1.57%
1873 - -1.74%
1872 - -3.93%
1871 - -1.09%
1870 - 0.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1870–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/canada | 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 Canada's surplus of $1.56B, or 0.07% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Canada ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.07% of GDP for Canada.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Canada
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Canada
2024 -4.3% 2.38%
2023 -7.7% 3.88%
2022 10.6% 6.8%
2021 7.8% 3.4%
2020 5.6% 0.72%
2019 2.3% 1.95%
2018 0.6% 2.27%
2017 5% 1.6%
2016 4.4% 1.43%
2015 -0.7% 1.13%
2014 4.7% 1.91%
2013 7.4% 0.94%
2012 6.4% 1.52%
2011 11.8% 2.91%
2010 2.2% 1.78%
2009 -6.8% 0.3%
2008 26.4% 2.37%
2007 8.7% 2.14%
2006 6.8% 2%
2005 10.6% 2.21%
2004 16.4% 1.86%
2003 35.7% 2.76%
2002 - 2.26%
2001 - 2.53%
2000 - 2.72%
1999 - 1.73%
1998 - 1%
1997 - 1.62%

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/canada | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.19% in Canada. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.38% in Canada.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.23M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $48K
Textiles & consumer goods $48K
Animal & marine products $22K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Precious metals & jewellery $11K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $2K
Canada
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.16M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $229K
Animal & marine products $161K
Metals $122K
Chemicals & pharma $101K
Raw agricultural goods $100K
Wood & paper products $39K
Raw materials & minerals $33K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Miscellaneous $8K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Canada
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$10.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
177/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-0.46%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$574B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$569B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$160B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$159B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
32.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
32.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Canada
Economic freedom 53 75.6
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 17/197
Property rights 3.6 85.9
Government integrity 13.5 85.5
Judicial effectiveness 0 96
Tax burden 92 74.7
Government spending 90.8 45.9
Fiscal health 98.4 79.7
Business freedom 33.7 84.2
Labor freedom 44.4 68.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 73.8
Trade freedom 68.6 83.2
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Canada
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Canada
2026 - 75.6
2025 - 75.5
2024 - 72.4
2023 - 73.7
2022 - 76.6
2021 53 77.9
2020 54.7 78.2
2019 51.5 77.7
2018 51.3 77.7
2017 48.9 78.5
2016 - 78
2015 - 79.1
2014 - 80.2
2013 - 79.4
2012 - 79.9
2011 - 80.8
2010 - 80.4
2009 - 80.5
2008 - 80.2
2007 - 78
2006 - 77.4
2005 - 75.8
2004 - 75.3
2003 - 74.8
2002 - 74.6
2001 - 71.2
2000 - 70.5
1999 - 69.3
1998 - 68.5
1997 - 67.9
1996 - 70.3
1995 - 69.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 75.6 for Canada, ranking 17/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Canada
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
66.4%
2021
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
25.3%
2021
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
1.6%
2021
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$2.2T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$63,630
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$120B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
23/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$27.8B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$63.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$89.4B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
9.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
23.2%
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/canada | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1870–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.