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Economy of Afghanistan vs Denmark compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $425B for Denmark, ranking 137/197 and 37/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $134B (31.5% of GDP) in Denmark.

Afghanistan vs Denmark GDP by year

Afghanistan
Denmark
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Denmark
2024 - $424,524,722,037
2023 $17,152,234,637 $404,651,706,118
2022 $14,497,243,872 $400,114,306,337
2021 $14,259,995,441 $406,110,162,088
2020 $19,955,929,052 $355,631,021,932
2019 $18,799,444,490 $345,401,473,013
2018 $18,053,222,687 $355,293,374,912
2017 $18,753,456,498 $331,610,593,962
2016 $18,116,572,395 $312,181,849,372
2015 $19,134,221,645 $301,758,922,338
2014 $20,497,128,556 $352,832,602,064
2013 $20,146,416,758 $344,631,016,965
2012 $19,907,329,778 $326,792,574,245
2011 $17,805,098,206 $344,315,595,263
2010 $15,856,668,556 $322,345,594,075
2009 $12,416,152,732 $322,619,152,195
2008 $10,109,297,048 $354,979,471,960
2007 $9,747,886,187 $320,213,157,595
2006 $6,971,758,282 $283,386,151,544
2005 $6,203,256,539 $265,150,087,712
2004 $5,224,896,719 $251,986,155,631
2003 $4,520,946,819 $218,421,193,436
2002 $3,825,701,439 $178,788,209,558
2001 $2,813,571,754 $164,881,594,415
2000 $3,521,418,060 $164,043,817,224
1999 - $177,887,720,536
1998 - $176,877,077,513
1997 - $173,241,365,735
1996 - $187,481,157,846
1995 - $184,848,481,008
1994 - $156,017,919,221
1993 - $143,111,306,004
1992 - $152,966,494,260
1991 - $139,180,507,778
1990 - $138,217,740,684
1989 - $112,312,200,761
1988 - $115,540,189,705
1987 - $109,183,446,340
1986 - $87,748,695,217
1985 - $62,452,421,011
1984 - $58,868,891,335
1983 - $60,331,158,447
1982 - $60,084,214,872
1981 - $61,459,941,461
1980 - $70,811,287,816
1979 - $70,393,030,603
1978 - $60,320,089,218
1977 - $49,711,709,588
1976 - $44,503,607,444
1975 - $40,418,967,666
1974 - $34,125,712,481
1973 - $30,718,181,337
1972 - $23,230,667,549
1971 - $19,086,192,720
1970 - $17,075,457,733
1969 - $15,414,902,667
1968 - $13,505,574,133
1967 - $13,059,064,806
1966 - $11,931,740,293
1965 - $10,870,670,865
1964 - $9,677,401,337
1963 - $8,466,044,980
1962 - $7,953,274,741
1961 - $7,058,361,229
1960 - $6,361,166,545

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Denmark by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Denmark
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Denmark
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $71,026 $81,878
2023 $414 $2,202 $68,044 $77,892
2022 $357 $2,123 $67,781 $78,914
2021 $356 $2,144 $69,341 $69,715
2020 $511 $2,562 $60,985 $62,682
2019 $497 $2,583 $59,404 $60,595
2018 $491 $2,432 $61,325 $57,234
2017 $525 $2,336 $57,522 $55,272
2016 $522 $2,213 $54,501 $51,821
2015 $566 $2,284 $53,094 $48,897
2014 $625 $2,224 $62,520 $47,880
2013 $637 $2,133 $61,378 $46,869
2012 $651 $1,988 $58,444 $44,755
2011 $607 $1,744 $61,810 $44,444
2010 $561 $1,766 $58,105 $43,038
2009 $452 $1,571 $58,413 $40,524
2008 $382 $1,334 $64,617 $41,467
2007 $376 $1,287 $58,632 $39,110
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $52,119 $37,392
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $48,926 $34,238
2004 $221.8 $972 $46,625 $33,016
2003 $198.9 $967 $40,519 $30,864
2002 $179 $927 $33,257 $30,667
2001 $138.7 $748 $30,768 $29,459
2000 $174.9 $814 $30,722 $28,648
1999 - - $33,426 $26,642
1998 - - $33,346 $25,799
1997 - - $32,780 $24,887
1996 - - $35,622 $23,723
1995 - - $35,321 $22,677
1994 - - $29,968 $21,669
1993 - - $27,582 $20,217
1992 - - $29,579 $19,830
1991 - - $27,003 $19,067
1990 - - $26,886 $18,225
1989 - - $21,882 -
1988 - - $22,525 -
1987 - - $21,296 -
1986 - - $17,137 -
1985 - - $12,213 -
1984 - - $11,517 -
1983 - - $11,797 -
1982 - - $11,740 -
1981 - - $12,000 -
1980 - - $13,822 -
1979 - - $13,757 -
1978 - - $11,818 -
1977 - - $9,770 -
1976 - - $8,773 -
1975 - - $7,988 -
1974 - - $6,764 -
1973 - - $6,117 -
1972 - - $4,654 -
1971 - - $3,846 -
1970 - - $3,464 -
1969 - - $3,151 -
1968 - - $2,776 -
1967 - - $2,701 -
1966 - - $2,487 -
1965 - - $2,284 -
1964 - - $2,049 -
1963 - - $1,807 -
1962 - - $1,711 -
1961 - - $1,531 -
1960 - - $1,389 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $71,026 in Denmark, ranking 12/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Denmark ranks 14th at $81,878.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Denmark
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$425B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
37/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
3.48%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$71,026
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
12/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$81,878
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
14/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$134B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
31.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$22,340
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
30/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$53,468
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$151B
2004
Number of millionaires n/a
376,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
9
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
47.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
1.6%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
6.15%
2024
Population
45409324
6032403

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Denmark
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Denmark
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 47.3% 31.5%
2023 17% 8.42% 47.4% 33.8%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 45.1% 34.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 49.7% 40.7%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 53.3% 46.3%
2019 28% 6.14% 49.8% 38.3%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 50.8% 38.5%
2017 27.7% 8% 50.6% 40.2%
2016 28% 8.44% 52.4% 41.7%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 54.4% 44.6%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 55.1% 48.7%
2013 25% 6.92% 55.6% 47.8%
2012 25% 6.77% 57.9% 48.7%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 56.3% 50%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 56.5% 46.1%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 56.3% 43%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 50.3% 35.5%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 49.5% 29.5%
2006 18.3% 23% 49.7% 33.2%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 51.1% 39.4%
2004 15.1% 245% 52.8% 46.2%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 53.5% 48.2%
2002 6.94% 346% 53.1% 50.3%
2001 - - 53% 50.1%
2000 - - 52.9% 53.6%
1999 - - 54.7% 56.8%
1998 - - 55.6% 60.3%
1997 - - 56.2% 64.4%
1996 - - 58.2% 68.3%
1995 - - 58.7% 71.5%
1994 - - 59.5% 75.3%
1993 - - 59.5% 78.7%
1992 - - 56.4% 66.7%
1991 - - 55.5% 63.2%
1990 - - 55.1% 62.4%
1989 - - 56.2% 62.2%
1988 - - 56.1% 64.7%
1987 - - 54% 62.5%
1986 - - 52.3% 66.8%
1985 - - 55.5% 74.7%
1984 - - 56.6% 77.7%
1983 - - 57.9% 74.2%
1982 - - 57.7% 64.5%
1981 - - 56.3% 51.7%
1980 - - 52.7% 39.2%
1979 - - 49.6% 31.8%
1978 - - 47.2% 25.5%
1977 - - 45.6% 15.2%
1976 - - 45% 11.4%
1975 - - 45.3% 7.01%
1974 - - 43.6% 6.2%
1973 - - 39.5% 8.94%
1972 - - 42.1% 11.5%
1971 - - 42.2% 12.9%
1970 - - 24.4% 7.62%
1969 - - 25.3% 8.36%
1968 - - 24.3% 9.36%
1967 - - 22.2% 10.1%
1966 - - 21.1% 11.2%
1965 - - 17.1% 12.9%
1964 - - 17.6% 14.5%
1963 - - 18.2% 13.7%
1962 - - 17% 15.3%
1961 - - 15.6% 16.4%
1960 - - 16.4% 20.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Denmark spent $201B, or 47.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 31.5% in Denmark, ranking 181/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Denmark
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Denmark
2024 -0.54% 4.46%
2023 -1.33% 3.43%
2022 -1% 3.39%
2021 -0.48% 4.12%
2020 -2.24% 0.36%
2019 -1.06% 4.28%
2018 1.63% 0.81%
2017 -0.67% 1.69%
2016 0.13% 0.3%
2015 -1.38% -0.9%
2014 -1.72% 1.43%
2013 -0.63% -0.94%
2012 0.18% -3.2%
2011 -0.67% -1.77%
2010 0.93% -2.52%
2009 -1.76% -2.75%
2008 -3.86% 3.46%
2007 -2.46% 5.31%
2006 0.68% 5.29%
2005 -0.92% 5.2%
2004 -2.39% 2.23%
2003 -2.1% 0.14%
2002 -0.1% 0.25%
2001 - 1.13%
2000 - 1.79%
1999 - 1.06%
1998 - -0.28%
1997 - -1.22%
1996 - -2.4%
1995 - -3.5%
1994 - -3.85%
1993 - -3.73%
1992 - -2.6%
1991 - -3.15%
1990 - -1.78%
1989 - 0.3%
1988 - 1.46%
1987 - 2.46%
1986 - 3.23%
1985 - -1.38%
1984 - -3.58%
1983 - -6.29%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -5.84%
1980 - -2.32%
1979 - -0.69%
1978 - 0.41%
1977 - 0.37%
1976 - 0.19%
1975 - -1.23%
1974 - 3.7%
1973 - 4.97%
1972 - 5.01%
1971 - 4.96%
1970 - 0.7%
1969 - 0.3%
1968 - -0.06%
1967 - 1.49%
1966 - 0.99%
1965 - 2.13%
1964 - 1.79%
1963 - 1.2%
1962 - -0.09%
1961 - 1.73%
1960 - 1.25%
1959 - 0.79%
1958 - 0.25%
1957 - 0.26%
1956 - -0.01%
1955 - -1.17%
1954 - -0.84%
1953 - 1.75%
1952 - 1.18%
1951 - 0.79%
1950 - 1.08%
1949 - 0.63%
1948 - 1.07%
1947 - 0.84%
1946 - 2.69%
1945 - -1.03%
1944 - 0%
1943 - 0%
1942 - 0%
1941 - 0%
1940 - 0%
1939 - 0%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - 0.22%
1936 - -1.36%
1935 - -0.97%
1934 - 0.03%
1933 - 1.69%
1932 - -3.22%
1931 - -1.67%
1930 - 0.03%
1929 - 0.13%
1928 - -4.99%
1927 - -2.33%
1926 - -0.48%
1925 - -3.1%
1924 - -0.8%
1923 - -0.56%
1922 - -1.33%
1921 - -2.41%
1920 - -0.46%
1919 - -0.38%
1918 - 1.95%
1917 - 3.1%
1916 - 1.51%
1915 - -0.48%
1914 - 0.43%
1913 - 0.07%
1912 - 0.13%
1911 - -1.02%
1910 - -1.72%
1909 - -2.49%
1908 - -0.82%
1907 - 0.26%
1906 - -0.42%
1905 - 0.22%
1904 - -0.1%
1903 - 0.03%
1902 - -0.06%
1901 - -0.71%
1900 - -0.84%
1899 - -0.59%
1898 - -0.43%
1897 - -0.61%
1896 - -0.07%
1895 - -0.17%
1894 - -0.26%
1893 - -0.42%
1892 - -0.73%
1891 - -0.76%
1890 - -0.97%
1889 - -0.55%
1888 - -0.49%
1887 - -0.68%
1886 - -0.39%
1885 - 0.48%
1884 - 1.2%
1883 - 0.73%
1882 - 0.35%
1881 - 0.42%
1880 - -2.65%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/denmark | 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 Denmark's surplus of $13.9B, or 3.43% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Denmark ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.35% of GDP for Denmark.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Denmark
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Denmark
2024 -4.3% 1.37%
2023 -7.7% 3.31%
2022 10.6% 7.7%
2021 7.8% 1.85%
2020 5.6% 0.42%
2019 2.3% 0.76%
2018 0.6% 0.81%
2017 5% 1.15%
2016 4.4% 0.25%
2015 -0.7% 0.45%
2014 4.7% 0.56%
2013 7.4% 0.79%
2012 6.4% 2.4%
2011 11.8% 2.76%
2010 2.2% 2.31%
2009 -6.8% 1.3%
2008 26.4% 3.42%
2007 8.7% 1.69%
2006 6.8% 1.92%
2005 10.6% 1.82%
2004 16.4% 1.15%
2003 35.7% 2.08%
2002 - 2.42%
2001 - 2.34%
2000 - 2.9%
1999 - 2.5%
1998 - 1.85%
1997 - 2.18%

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/denmark | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 1.83% in Denmark. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 1.37% in Denmark.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Denmark
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.63M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.94M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.1M
Miscellaneous $190K
Chemicals & pharma $174K
Animal & marine products $115K
Metals $57K
Raw agricultural goods $49K
Wood & paper products $46K
Raw materials & minerals $8K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Denmark
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$52.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
14/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+12.3%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$132B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$172B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$125B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$129B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
60.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
71%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Denmark
Economic freedom 53 79
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 8/197
Property rights 3.6 99.9
Government integrity 13.5 98
Judicial effectiveness 0 89.3
Tax burden 92 43.4
Government spending 90.8 34.8
Fiscal health 98.4 98
Business freedom 33.7 90.4
Labor freedom 44.4 65
Monetary freedom 84.9 80.1
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 90
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Denmark
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Denmark
2026 - 79
2025 - 79.1
2024 - 77.8
2023 - 77.6
2022 - 78
2021 53 77.8
2020 54.7 78.3
2019 51.5 76.7
2018 51.3 76.6
2017 48.9 75.1
2016 - 75.3
2015 - 76.3
2014 - 76.1
2013 - 76.1
2012 - 76.2
2011 - 78.6
2010 - 77.9
2009 - 79.6
2008 - 79.2
2007 - 77
2006 - 75.4
2005 - 75.3
2004 - 72.4
2003 - 73.2
2002 - 71.1
2001 - 68.3
2000 - 68.3
1999 - 68.1
1998 - 67.5
1997 - 67.5
1996 - 67.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 79 for Denmark, ranking 8/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Denmark
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
63.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
0.93%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$434B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$84,680
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
25/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$11.9B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$18.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$30.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
12.4%
2021
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/denmark | 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 (1880–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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)

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.