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Economy of Afghanistan vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $18.7T for China, ranking 137/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $16.6T (88.3% of GDP) in China.

Afghanistan vs China GDP by year

Afghanistan
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan China
2024 - $18,743,803,170,827
2023 $17,152,234,637 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $14,497,243,872 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $14,259,995,441 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $19,955,929,052 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $18,799,444,490 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $18,053,222,687 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $18,753,456,498 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $18,116,572,395 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $19,134,221,645 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $20,497,128,556 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $20,146,416,758 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $19,907,329,778 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $17,805,098,206 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $15,856,668,556 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $12,416,152,732 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $10,109,297,048 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $9,747,886,187 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $6,971,758,282 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $6,203,256,539 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $5,224,896,719 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $4,520,946,819 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $3,825,701,439 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $2,813,571,754 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $3,521,418,060 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 - $1,103,843,203,576
1998 - $1,037,134,141,760
1997 - $967,753,570,435
1996 - $868,523,936,530
1995 - $738,190,896,228
1994 - $566,929,539,493
1993 - $446,557,291,212
1992 - $428,502,354,788
1991 - $384,510,452,962
1990 - $361,560,229,446
1989 - $348,380,566,802
1988 - $312,888,888,889
1987 - $273,455,156,951
1986 - $301,310,144,928
1985 - $310,064,625,850
1984 - $260,442,857,143
1983 - $231,130,268,199
1982 - $205,480,916,031
1981 - $196,218,253,968
1980 - $191,487,500,000
1979 - $178,573,913,043
1978 - $149,788,617,886
1977 - $175,226,595,860
1976 - $154,196,810,059
1975 - $163,687,619,736
1974 - $144,418,433,058
1973 - $138,764,340,892
1972 - $113,871,930,714
1971 - $99,959,013,880
1970 - $92,752,930,873
1969 - $79,847,786,729
1968 - $70,980,323,819
1967 - $73,011,350,596
1966 - $76,854,053,259
1965 - $70,565,994,356
1964 - $59,821,862,703
1963 - $50,812,227,919
1962 - $47,310,737,754
1961 - $50,162,299,350
1960 - $59,846,235,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs China by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $13,303 $27,105
2023 $414 $2,202 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $357 $2,123 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $356 $2,144 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $511 $2,562 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $497 $2,583 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $491 $2,432 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $525 $2,336 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $522 $2,213 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $566 $2,284 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $625 $2,224 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $637 $2,133 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $651 $1,988 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $607 $1,744 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $561 $1,766 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $452 $1,571 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $382 $1,334 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $376 $1,287 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $221.8 $972 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $198.9 $967 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $179 $927 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $138.7 $748 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $174.9 $814 $969 $2,964
1999 - - $881 $2,690
1998 - - $835 $2,483
1997 - - $787 $2,297
1996 - - $713 $2,088
1995 - - $613 $1,884
1994 - - $476 $1,680
1993 - - $379 $1,471
1992 - - $368 $1,276
1991 - - $334 $1,105
1990 - - $319 $991
1989 - - $311 -
1988 - - $284 -
1987 - - $252.3 -
1986 - - $282.4 -
1985 - - $295 -
1984 - - $251.2 -
1983 - - $225.9 -
1982 - - $203.7 -
1981 - - $197.4 -
1980 - - $195.1 -
1979 - - $184.3 -
1978 - - $156.7 -
1977 - - $185.7 -
1976 - - $165.7 -
1975 - - $178.6 -
1974 - - $160.4 -
1973 - - $157.3 -
1972 - - $132.1 -
1971 - - $118.8 -
1970 - - $113.3 -
1969 - - $100.3 -
1968 - - $91.6 -
1967 - - $96.8 -
1966 - - $104.5 -
1965 - - $98.7 -
1964 - - $85.7 -
1963 - - $74.5 -
1962 - - $71.1 -
1961 - - $76 -
1960 - - $89.7 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $13,303 in China, ranking 76/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan China
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$18.7T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
2/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
4.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$13,303
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
76/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
77/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$16.6T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
88.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$11,749
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
47/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$9,826
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.8T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
6,327,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
450
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
32.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
0.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
3.1%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.11%
2021
Population
45409324
1402578808

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 32.9% 88.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 32.7% 82%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 32.6% 75.5%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 31.9% 70.1%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 34.8% 69%
2019 28% 6.14% 33.6% 59.4%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 32.6% 55.6%
2017 27.7% 8% 32% 53.9%
2016 28% 8.44% 31.7% 49.7%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 31% 40.8%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 25% 6.92% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 25% 6.77% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 25.2% 34%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 18.3% 23% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 18% 25.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 17.6% 26%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 18% 26.4%
2002 6.94% 346% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 - - 17.2% 24.3%
2000 - - 16.1% 22.7%
1999 - - 14.9% 21.6%
1998 - - 12.6% 20.4%
1997 - - 11.5% 20.4%
1996 - - 11% 21.2%
1995 - - 11.1% 21.4%
1994 - - 12.4% -
1993 - - 13.4% -
1992 - - 14.6% -
1991 - - 16.5% -
1990 - - 18.2% -
1989 - - 18.6% -
1988 - - 20.9% 4.46%
1987 - - 23.4% 3.6%
1986 - - 25.6% 3.24%
1985 - - 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while China spent $6.18T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 88.3% in China, ranking 181/185 and 34/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan China
2024 -0.54% -7.34%
2023 -1.33% -6.71%
2022 -1% -7.32%
2021 -0.48% -5.9%
2020 -2.24% -9.56%
2019 -1.06% -6%
2018 1.63% -4.2%
2017 -0.67% -3.34%
2016 0.13% -3.33%
2015 -1.38% -2.5%
2014 -1.72% -0.67%
2013 -0.63% -0.82%
2012 0.18% -0.3%
2011 -0.67% -0.1%
2010 0.93% -0.36%
2009 -1.76% -1.72%
2008 -3.86% -0.02%
2007 -2.46% 0.06%
2006 0.68% -1.13%
2005 -0.92% -1.38%
2004 -2.39% -1.49%
2003 -2.1% -2.36%
2002 -0.1% -2.84%
2001 - -2.56%
2000 - -2.81%
1999 - -2.3%
1998 - -1.08%
1997 - -0.73%
1996 - -0.73%
1995 - -0.94%
1994 - -1.68%
1993 - -0.89%
1992 - -1.22%
1991 - -1.04%
1990 - -0.72%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -2.22%
1987 - -2.08%
1986 - -1.82%
1985 - -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/china | 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 China's deficit of $1.23T, or 6.71% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.82% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan China
2024 -4.3% 0.2%
2023 -7.7% 0.2%
2022 10.6% 2%
2021 7.8% 0.9%
2020 5.6% 2.5%
2019 2.3% 2.9%
2018 0.6% 2.1%
2017 5% 1.6%
2016 4.4% 2%
2015 -0.7% 1.5%
2014 4.7% 2%
2013 7.4% 2.7%
2012 6.4% 2.6%
2011 11.8% 5.4%
2010 2.2% 3.3%
2009 -6.8% -0.7%
2008 26.4% 5.9%
2007 8.7% 4.7%
2006 6.8% 1.5%
2005 10.6% 1.8%
2004 16.4% 3.9%
2003 35.7% 1.1%
2002 - -0.8%
2001 - 0.7%
2000 - 0.4%
1999 - -1.4%
1998 - -0.8%
1997 - 2.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.28% in China. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 0.2% in China.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $22.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.58M
Raw materials & minerals $209K
Animal & marine products $6K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
China
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $675M
Machinery & equipment $557M
Raw materials & minerals $130M
Chemicals & pharma $59.9M
Metals $44.6M
Raw agricultural goods $24.5M
Miscellaneous $19M
Animal & marine products $18.5M
Wood & paper products $12.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.1M

Balance of trade

Afghanistan China
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$424B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
1/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+2.26%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$2.64T
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$3.41T
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$613B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$384B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
20%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan China
Economic freedom 53 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 170/197
Property rights 3.6 40.9
Government integrity 13.5 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 0 38.6
Tax burden 92 69.3
Government spending 90.8 67.8
Fiscal health 98.4 4.4
Business freedom 33.7 68.7
Labor freedom 44.4 57.9
Monetary freedom 84.9 76.1
Trade freedom 68.6 73.4
Investment freedom 10 20
Financial freedom 10 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan China
2026 - 48.3
2025 - 49
2024 - 48.5
2023 - 48.3
2022 - 48
2021 53 58.4
2020 54.7 59.5
2019 51.5 58.4
2018 51.3 57.8
2017 48.9 57.4
2016 - 52
2015 - 52.7
2014 - 52.5
2013 - 51.9
2012 - 51.2
2011 - 52
2010 - 51
2009 - 53.2
2008 - 53.1
2007 - 52
2006 - 53.6
2005 - 53.7
2004 - 52.5
2003 - 52.6
2002 - 52.8
2001 - 52.6
2000 - 56.4
1999 - 54.8
1998 - 53.1
1997 - 51.7
1996 - 51.3
1995 - 52

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan China
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
56.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
36.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
6.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$19.3T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$26,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$3.46T
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
1/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$154B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$18.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$172B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
1.89%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
40.6%
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/china | 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 (1995–2026, 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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)

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.