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Economy of Afghanistan vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $150B for Ethiopia, ranking 137/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $48.9B (32.7% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Afghanistan vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Ethiopia
2024 - $149,740,297,953
2023 $17,152,234,637 $135,874,093,202
2022 $14,497,243,872 $123,140,304,666
2021 $14,259,995,441 $109,070,960,372
2020 $19,955,929,052 $98,676,811,061
2019 $18,799,444,490 $91,834,517,113
2018 $18,053,222,687 $83,337,901,072
2017 $18,753,456,498 $76,366,081,767
2016 $18,116,572,395 $68,475,871,210
2015 $19,134,221,645 $62,103,418,182
2014 $20,497,128,556 $55,612,228,234
2013 $20,146,416,758 $47,648,276,605
2012 $19,907,329,778 $43,310,721,414
2011 $17,805,098,206 $31,952,763,089
2010 $15,856,668,556 $29,933,790,334
2009 $12,416,152,732 $32,437,389,116
2008 $10,109,297,048 $27,066,912,635
2007 $9,747,886,187 $19,707,616,773
2006 $6,971,758,282 $15,280,861,835
2005 $6,203,256,539 $12,401,139,454
2004 $5,224,896,719 $10,131,187,261
2003 $4,520,946,819 $8,623,691,300
2002 $3,825,701,439 $7,850,809,498
2001 $2,813,571,754 $8,231,326,016
2000 $3,521,418,060 $8,242,349,618
1999 - $7,892,973,532
1998 - $8,013,274,132
1997 - $8,803,539,988
1996 - $8,761,215,548
1995 - $7,855,205,207
1994 - $7,100,806,754
1993 - $9,051,043,870
1992 - $10,754,799,037
1991 - $13,799,799,324
1990 - $12,478,943,895
1989 - $11,762,932,007
1988 - $11,181,119,718
1987 - $10,790,001,558
1986 - $10,094,328,898
1985 - $9,717,392,687
1984 - $8,298,309,581
1983 - $8,781,664,427
1982 - $7,899,988,841
1981 - $7,507,663,567
1980 - $7,012,585,454
1979 - $6,586,048,398
1978 - $6,014,961,435
1977 - $5,651,840,585
1976 - $4,943,806,093
1975 - $4,577,047,854
1974 - $4,577,209,966
1973 - $4,070,570,550
1972 - $3,520,252,938
1971 - $3,224,280,835
1970 - $3,045,354,455
1969 - $2,768,987,372
1968 - $2,619,948,865
1967 - $2,461,762,003
1966 - $2,324,466,416
1965 - $2,159,998,591
1964 - $1,984,129,186
1963 - $1,825,058,828
1962 - $1,747,566,307
1961 - $1,680,859,514
1960 - $1,610,511,694

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Ethiopia by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,134 $3,288
2023 $414 $2,202 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $357 $2,123 $982 $2,845
2021 $356 $2,144 $893 $2,588
2020 $511 $2,562 $830 $2,407
2019 $497 $2,583 $793 $2,242
2018 $491 $2,432 $740 $2,095
2017 $525 $2,336 $696 $2,005
2016 $522 $2,213 $642 $1,858
2015 $566 $2,284 $598 $1,633
2014 $625 $2,224 $550 $1,485
2013 $637 $2,133 $484 $1,253
2012 $651 $1,988 $452 $1,179
2011 $607 $1,744 $343 $1,098
2010 $561 $1,766 $331 $996
2009 $452 $1,571 $369 $899
2008 $382 $1,334 $316 $845
2007 $376 $1,287 $237.1 $770
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $189.3 $693
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $158.2 $625
2004 $221.8 $972 $133.2 $558
2003 $198.9 $967 $116.8 $493
2002 $179 $927 $109.6 $509
2001 $138.7 $748 $118.5 $509
2000 $174.9 $814 $122.3 $474
1999 - - $120.7 $450
1998 - - $126.5 $436
1997 - - $143.4 $461
1996 - - $147.3 $453
1995 - - $136.5 $409
1994 - - $127.7 $391
1993 - - $168.5 $384
1992 - - $207.4 $343
1991 - - $277.6 $383
1990 - - $262.1 $417
1989 - - $256.4 -
1988 - - $253.2 -
1987 - - $254.1 -
1986 - - $246 -
1985 - - $243.9 -
1984 - - $214.2 -
1983 - - $232.7 -
1982 - - $215.3 -
1981 - - $212.7 -
1980 - - $203.7 -
1979 - - $192.4 -
1978 - - $178.3 -
1977 - - $170.4 -
1976 - - $152 -
1975 - - $144.3 -
1974 - - $147.9 -
1973 - - $134.9 -
1972 - - $119.8 -
1971 - - $112.7 -
1970 - - $109.4 -
1969 - - $102.3 -
1968 - - $99.5 -
1967 - - $96.1 -
1966 - - $93.2 -
1965 - - $88.9 -
1964 - - $83.8 -
1963 - - $79.2 -
1962 - - $77.8 -
1961 - - $76.7 -
1960 - - $75.3 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $1,134 in Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$150B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
60/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
7.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$1,134
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
171/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
175/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$48.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$370
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
172/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$1,946
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
9.54%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
21%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.94%
2021
Population
45409324
139917664

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 9.54% 32.7%
2023 17% 8.42% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 14.5% 53.7%
2019 28% 6.14% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 27.7% 8% 18% 55.3%
2016 28% 8.44% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 25% 6.92% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 25% 6.77% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 17.1% 30%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 18.3% 23% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 15.1% 245% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 27% 103.7%
2002 6.94% 346% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 - - 22.4% 97.3%
2000 - - 25.6% 93.6%
1999 - - 25.8% 94.3%
1998 - - 20.4% 86%
1997 - - 17.3% 77.4%
1996 - - 18.2% 129%
1995 - - 16.9% 142.3%
1994 - - 17.1% 150.7%
1993 - - 13.4% 136.9%
1992 - - 13.8% 85.4%
1991 - - 16.8% 89.3%
1990 - - 20.3% 91.6%
1989 - - 24% 84.7%
1988 - - 21.6% 84.3%
1987 - - 18.4% 82.3%
1986 - - 19.8% 75.7%
1985 - - 19.7% 67.7%
1984 - - 18.8% 65.4%
1983 - - 21.3% 55.2%
1982 - - 16.4% 48.8%
1981 - - 14.2% 30.6%
1980 - - 13.5% 18.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $14.3B, or 9.54% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 32.7% in Ethiopia, ranking 181/185 and 150/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Ethiopia
2024 -0.54% -1.99%
2023 -1.33% -2.6%
2022 -1% -4.16%
2021 -0.48% -2.77%
2020 -2.24% -2.76%
2019 -1.06% -2.53%
2018 1.63% -3.03%
2017 -0.67% -3.24%
2016 0.13% -2.3%
2015 -1.38% -1.95%
2014 -1.72% -2.58%
2013 -0.63% -1.93%
2012 0.18% -1.17%
2011 -0.67% -1.61%
2010 0.93% -1.32%
2009 -1.76% -0.93%
2008 -3.86% -2.88%
2007 -2.46% -3.57%
2006 0.68% -3.79%
2005 -0.92% -4.12%
2004 -2.39% -2.65%
2003 -2.1% -5.59%
2002 -0.1% -5.76%
2001 - -3.76%
2000 - -8.88%
1999 - -8.23%
1998 - -3.51%
1997 - -1.7%
1996 - -3.81%
1995 - -2.68%
1994 - -5.23%
1993 - -4%
1992 - -4.78%
1991 - -5.83%
1990 - -6.66%
1989 - -4.33%
1988 - -3.48%
1987 - -3.54%
1986 - -3.98%
1985 - -4.71%
1984 - -3.69%
1983 - -7.59%
1982 - -3.6%
1981 - -2.19%
1980 - -2.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/ethiopia | 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 Ethiopia's deficit of $3.53B, or 2.6% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.88% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Ethiopia
2024 -4.3% 21%
2023 -7.7% 30.2%
2022 10.6% 33.9%
2021 7.8% 26.8%
2020 5.6% 20.4%
2019 2.3% 15.8%
2018 0.6% 13.8%
2017 5% 10.7%
2016 4.4% 6.63%
2015 -0.7% 9.57%
2014 4.7% 6.89%
2013 7.4% 7.46%
2012 6.4% 23.6%
2011 11.8% 33.2%
2010 2.2% 8.15%
2009 -6.8% 8.48%
2008 26.4% 44.4%
2007 8.7% 17.2%
2006 6.8% 12.3%
2005 10.6% 9.97%
2004 16.4% 3.33%
2003 35.7% 13.7%
2002 - 0.68%
2001 - -8.24%
2000 - 0.66%
1999 - 7.94%
1998 - 0.89%
1997 - 2.4%

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/ethiopia | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 17.2% in Ethiopia. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 21% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Raw materials & minerals $9K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Ethiopia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
160/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
11.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
5.54%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Ethiopia
Economic freedom 53 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 171/197
Property rights 3.6 22.1
Government integrity 13.5 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 0 19.1
Tax burden 92 78.6
Government spending 90.8 96.4
Fiscal health 98.4 84.3
Business freedom 33.7 44.5
Labor freedom 44.4 37.8
Monetary freedom 84.9 53.7
Trade freedom 68.6 57.4
Investment freedom 10 30
Financial freedom 10 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Ethiopia
2026 - 48.1
2025 - 48.1
2024 - 47.9
2023 - 48.3
2022 - 49.6
2021 53 51.7
2020 54.7 53.6
2019 51.5 53.6
2018 51.3 52.8
2017 48.9 52.7
2016 - 51.5
2015 - 51.5
2014 - 50
2013 - 49.4
2012 - 52
2011 - 50.5
2010 - 51.2
2009 - 53
2008 - 52.5
2007 - 53.6
2006 - 50.9
2005 - 51.1
2004 - 54.5
2003 - 48.8
2002 - 49.8
2001 - 48.9
2000 - 50.2
1999 - 46.7
1998 - 49.2
1997 - 48.1
1996 - 45.9
1995 - 42.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 48.1 for Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
37.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
25.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
34.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$146B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$3,280
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
109/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
20.6%
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/ethiopia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2022, 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.