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Economy of Afghanistan vs Cape Verde compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $3.06B for Cape Verde, ranking 139/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $3.09B (101% of GDP) in Cape Verde.

Afghanistan vs Cape Verde GDP by year

Afghanistan
Cape Verde
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Cape Verde
2025 - $3,056,630,435
2024 $17,778,508,876 $2,713,721,857
2023 $17,152,234,637 $2,504,525,538
2022 $14,497,243,872 $2,247,003,344
2021 $14,259,995,441 $2,051,842,619
2020 $19,955,929,052 $1,821,565,614
2019 $18,799,444,490 $2,252,177,124
2018 $18,053,222,687 $2,205,099,507
2017 $18,753,456,498 $1,996,741,540
2016 $18,116,572,395 $1,849,789,986
2015 $19,134,221,645 $1,749,857,620
2014 $20,497,128,556 $2,041,930,125
2013 $20,146,416,758 $2,028,910,915
2012 $19,907,329,778 $1,913,081,210
2011 $17,805,098,206 $2,046,817,987
2010 $15,856,668,556 $1,824,751,468
2009 $12,416,152,732 $1,852,334,575
2008 $10,109,297,048 $1,959,620,648
2007 $9,747,886,187 $1,649,621,739
2006 $6,971,758,282 $1,107,571,458
2005 $6,203,256,539 $972,241,677
2004 $5,224,896,719 $924,940,012
2003 $4,520,946,819 $813,260,469
2002 $3,825,701,439 $620,507,387
2001 $2,813,571,754 $563,090,490
2000 $3,521,418,060 $539,227,278
1999 - $592,416,703
1998 - $521,910,561
1997 - $490,608,658
1996 - $501,979,270
1995 - $487,148,994
1994 - $406,580,652
1993 - $490,417,390
1992 - $357,160,985
1991 - $319,827,059
1990 - $306,890,963
1989 - $267,448,571
1988 - $264,308,140
1987 - $235,253,065
1986 - $190,651,168
1985 - $137,728,205
1984 - $132,019,039
1983 - $138,476,176
1982 - $140,630,679
1981 - $139,468,209
1980 - $142,246,815

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/cape-verde | CC BY

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Cape Verde by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Cape Verde
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $5,796 -
2024 $417 - $5,170 $11,195
2023 $414 $2,202 $4,795 $10,242
2022 $357 $2,123 $4,323 $9,481
2021 $356 $2,144 $3,971 $7,685
2020 $511 $2,562 $3,539 $6,853
2019 $497 $2,583 $4,381 $8,646
2018 $491 $2,432 $4,295 $7,916
2017 $525 $2,336 $3,893 $7,936
2016 $522 $2,213 $3,609 $7,351
2015 $566 $2,284 $3,415 $6,773
2014 $625 $2,224 $3,986 $6,417
2013 $637 $2,133 $3,961 $6,367
2012 $651 $1,988 $3,737 $6,318
2011 $607 $1,744 $4,002 $6,384
2010 $561 $1,766 $3,579 $6,039
2009 $452 $1,571 $3,660 $5,901
2008 $382 $1,334 $3,909 $6,011
2007 $376 $1,287 $3,325 $5,567
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $2,257 $4,758
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $2,004 $4,324
2004 $221.8 $972 $1,929 $3,969
2003 $198.9 $967 $1,718 $3,551
2002 $179 $927 $1,329 $3,388
2001 $138.7 $748 $1,223 $3,217
2000 $174.9 $814 $1,190 $3,124
1999 - - $1,327 $2,714
1998 - - $1,187 $2,443
1997 - - $1,134 $2,182
1996 - - $1,180 $1,963
1995 - - $1,165 $1,762
1994 - - $991 $1,540
1993 - - $1,220 $1,291
1992 - - $908 $1,186
1991 - - $832 $1,069
1990 - - $817 $1,044
1989 - - $727 -
1988 - - $729 -
1987 - - $658 -
1986 - - $541 -
1985 - - $396 -
1984 - - $385 -
1983 - - $410 -
1982 - - $423 -
1981 - - $425 -
1980 - - $440 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/cape-verde | CC BY

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $5,796 in Cape Verde, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Cape Verde
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$3.06B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
172/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
6.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$5,796
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
116/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$11,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
129/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$3.09B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
101%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$5,854
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
77/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$2,506
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
32.3%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.2%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
27%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
1.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
11.3%
2019
Population
45682388
530853

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Cape Verde
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 27% 101%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 26.1% 112.8%
2023 17% 8.25% 25.7% 117.5%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 26.6% 127.6%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 30.8% 149.5%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 34.5% 149.1%
2019 28% 6.14% 27.5% 109.8%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 27.5% 112.3%
2017 27.7% 8% 28% 113%
2016 28% 8.44% 26.6% 115.6%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 28.7% 115.7%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 27.8% 105.7%
2013 25% 6.9% 30.9% 93.5%
2012 25% 6.76% 31.6% 82.9%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 30.3% 71.6%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 35.7% 66.2%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 30.6% 58.8%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 27.6% 57.5%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 27.1% 59.6%
2006 18.3% 23% 28.4% 66.2%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 26.2% 66.7%
2004 15.1% 245% 26.3% 67.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 23.4% 65.6%
2002 6.94% 346% 28.5% 64.7%
2001 - - 24.2% 62.2%
2000 - - 36.7% 71.9%
1999 - - 35% 66.4%
1998 - - 29.8% 72.9%
1997 - - 34.8% 79.3%
1996 - - 38.9% 85.7%
1995 - - 44.5% 74.3%
1994 - - 48.1% 73.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/cape-verde | CC BY

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Cape Verde spent $827M, or 27% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 101% in Cape Verde, ranking 181/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Cape Verde
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Cape Verde
2025 -0.89% 1.06%
2024 -0.55% -1.07%
2023 -1.33% -0.28%
2022 -1% -4.25%
2021 -0.48% -7.51%
2020 -2.24% -9.29%
2019 -1.06% -1.62%
2018 1.63% -2.36%
2017 -0.67% -2.63%
2016 0.13% -2.73%
2015 -1.38% -4.16%
2014 -1.72% -6.93%
2013 -0.63% -8.49%
2012 0.18% -9.36%
2011 -0.67% -6.98%
2010 0.93% -9.6%
2009 -1.76% -5.32%
2008 -3.86% -1.42%
2007 -2.46% -0.86%
2006 0.68% -4.32%
2005 -0.92% -4.69%
2004 -2.39% -2.98%
2003 -2.1% -3.63%
2002 -0.1% -6.14%
2001 - -5.03%
2000 - -15.5%
1999 - -10.9%
1998 - -3.16%
1997 - -10.2%
1996 - -11.2%
1995 - -11.1%
1994 - -12.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/cape-verde | 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 Cape Verde's deficit of $28.9M, or 1.07% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Cape Verde ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.64% of GDP for Cape Verde.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Cape Verde
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Cape Verde
2025 2.9% 2.3%
2024 -4.3% 1.1%
2023 -7.7% 3.7%
2022 10.6% 7.9%
2021 7.8% 1.9%
2020 5.6% 0.6%
2019 2.3% 1.1%
2018 0.6% 1.3%
2017 5% 0.8%
2016 4.4% -1.4%
2015 -0.7% 0.1%
2014 4.7% -0.2%
2013 7.4% 1.5%
2012 6.4% 2.5%
2011 11.8% 4.5%
2010 2.2% 2.1%
2009 -6.8% 1%
2008 26.4% 6.8%
2007 8.7% 4.4%
2006 6.8% 4.8%
2005 10.6% 0.4%
2004 16.4% -1.9%
2003 35.7% 1.2%
2002 - 1.9%
2001 - 3.7%
2000 - -2.4%
1999 - 4.3%
1998 - 4.4%
1997 - 8.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/cape-verde | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 2.02% in Cape Verde. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 2.3% in Cape Verde.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Cape Verde
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$108M
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
63/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+3.53%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$1.29B
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$344M
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$350M
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$940M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
53.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
42%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Cape Verde
Economic freedom 53 71.4
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 32/197
Property rights 3.6 72.7
Government integrity 13.5 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 0 77.1
Tax burden 92 84.4
Government spending 90.8 79.5
Fiscal health 98.4 74.4
Business freedom 33.7 78.9
Labor freedom 44.4 59.5
Monetary freedom 84.9 80.4
Trade freedom 68.6 66.6
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Cape Verde
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Cape Verde
2026 - 71.4
2025 - 68.7
2024 - 62.9
2023 - 65.8
2022 - 66.7
2021 53 63.8
2020 54.7 63.6
2019 51.5 63.1
2018 51.3 60
2017 48.9 56.9
2016 - 66.5
2015 - 66.4
2014 - 66.1
2013 - 63.7
2012 - 63.5
2011 - 64.6
2010 - 61.8
2009 - 61.3
2008 - 57.9
2007 - 56.5
2006 - 58.6
2005 - 57.8
2004 - 58.1
2003 - 56.1
2002 - 57.6
2001 - 56.3
2000 - 51.9
1999 - 50.7
1998 - 48
1997 - 47.7
1996 - 49.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/cape-verde | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 71.4 for Cape Verde, ranking 32/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Cape Verde
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
67.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
5.04%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$2.95B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$12,010
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$1.26B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
138/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$130M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$110M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$20.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
5.72%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
24.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
17.4%
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/cape-verde | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1996, 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.