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Economy of Afghanistan vs Germany compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $5.05T for Germany, ranking 139/197 and 3/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $3.18T (62.9% of GDP) in Germany.

Afghanistan vs Germany GDP by year

Afghanistan
Germany
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Germany
2025 - $5,050,922,925,047
2024 $17,778,508,876 $4,685,592,577,805
2023 $17,152,234,637 $4,562,207,532,490
2022 $14,497,243,872 $4,201,021,706,479
2021 $14,259,995,441 $4,355,251,953,411
2020 $19,955,929,052 $3,941,398,957,074
2019 $18,799,444,490 $3,959,894,794,039
2018 $18,053,222,687 $4,055,433,215,302
2017 $18,753,456,498 $3,765,351,626,106
2016 $18,116,572,395 $3,536,787,895,179
2015 $19,134,221,645 $3,425,099,578,746
2014 $20,497,128,556 $3,964,870,735,761
2013 $20,146,416,758 $3,807,023,797,051
2012 $19,907,329,778 $3,596,483,233,406
2011 $17,805,098,206 $3,823,575,803,794
2010 $15,856,668,556 $3,467,093,769,667
2009 $12,416,152,732 $3,478,545,516,684
2008 $10,109,297,048 $3,808,197,720,125
2007 $9,747,886,187 $3,484,056,680,855
2006 $6,971,758,282 $3,046,308,753,671
2005 $6,203,256,539 $2,893,393,187,362
2004 $5,224,896,719 $2,852,317,768,062
2003 $4,520,946,819 $2,534,715,518,349
2002 $3,825,701,439 $2,102,350,798,306
2001 $2,813,571,754 $1,966,381,496,642
2000 $3,521,418,060 $1,966,980,701,145
1999 - $2,213,873,468,587
1998 - $2,247,760,364,566
1997 - $2,218,790,886,533
1996 - $2,506,576,553,158
1995 - $2,593,053,091,306
1994 - $2,215,282,632,277
1993 - $2,078,954,217,438
1992 - $2,141,377,582,968
1991 - $1,875,792,575,133
1990 - $1,778,162,195,860
1989 - $1,404,092,925,205
1988 - $1,406,367,016,372
1987 - $1,302,932,318,825
1986 - $1,050,092,624,516
1985 - $735,218,723,093
1984 - $727,767,760,979
1983 - $773,507,930,295
1982 - $779,421,633,755
1981 - $803,404,797,058
1980 - $953,772,499,462
1979 - $884,574,218,333
1978 - $743,182,891,918
1977 - $602,698,323,086
1976 - $521,658,712,133
1975 - $492,434,094,920
1974 - $446,934,971,657
1973 - $399,833,571,167
1972 - $300,899,944,795
1971 - $250,900,942,397
1970 - $216,629,229,947
1969 - $177,733,486,326
1968 - $156,527,292,653
1967 - $145,100,667,773
1966 - $143,304,275,684
1965 - $134,774,688,191
1964 - $123,330,404,665
1963 - $112,232,503,744
1962 - $105,895,435,234
1961 - $96,558,204,043
1960 - $84,619,845,881

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Germany by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Germany
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Germany
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $60,496 -
2024 $417 - $56,104 $73,552
2023 $414 $2,202 $54,777 $71,684
2022 $357 $2,123 $50,507 $69,049
2021 $356 $2,144 $52,349 $62,531
2020 $511 $2,562 $47,395 $58,686
2019 $497 $2,583 $47,656 $59,271
2018 $491 $2,432 $48,916 $56,273
2017 $525 $2,336 $45,554 $54,110
2016 $522 $2,213 $42,949 $51,570
2015 $566 $2,284 $41,930 $48,545
2014 $625 $2,224 $48,960 $47,939
2013 $637 $2,133 $47,207 $45,889
2012 $651 $1,988 $44,718 $44,229
2011 $607 $1,744 $47,631 $43,398
2010 $561 $1,766 $42,397 $39,726
2009 $452 $1,571 $42,472 $37,574
2008 $382 $1,334 $46,379 $38,444
2007 $376 $1,287 $42,351 $36,914
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $36,980 $34,741
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $35,084 $32,314
2004 $221.8 $972 $34,567 $31,753
2003 $198.9 $967 $30,711 $30,301
2002 $179 $927 $25,487 $29,514
2001 $138.7 $748 $23,878 $28,674
2000 $174.9 $814 $23,926 $27,474
1999 - - $26,965 $26,518
1998 - - $27,396 $25,446
1997 - - $27,047 $24,649
1996 - - $30,600 $24,169
1995 - - $31,747 $23,631
1994 - - $27,202 $22,869
1993 - - $25,617 $21,900
1992 - - $26,560 $21,746
1991 - - $23,443 $21,001
1990 - - $22,386 $19,468
1989 - - $17,829 -
1988 - - $17,997 -
1987 - - $16,739 -
1986 - - $13,511 -
1985 - - $9,464 -
1984 - - $9,347 -
1983 - - $9,900 -
1982 - - $9,950 -
1981 - - $10,246 -
1980 - - $12,183 -
1979 - - $11,322 -
1978 - - $9,517 -
1977 - - $7,711 -
1976 - - $6,659 -
1975 - - $6,259 -
1974 - - $5,660 -
1973 - - $5,065 -
1972 - - $3,824 -
1971 - - $3,204 -
1970 - - $2,771 -
1969 - - $2,281 -
1968 - - $2,025 -
1967 - - $1,886 -
1966 - - $1,871 -
1965 - - $1,774 -
1964 - - $1,637 -
1963 - - $1,502 -
1962 - - $1,431 -
1961 - - $1,316 -
1960 - - $1,162 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $60,496 in Germany, ranking 18/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Germany ranks 20th at $73,552.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Germany
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$5.05T
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
3/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
0.24%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$60,496
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
18/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$73,552
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
20/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$3.18T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
62.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$38,071
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
21/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$40,352
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.9T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,648,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
212
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
50.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
2.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.8%
2025
Population
45682388
82830814

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Germany
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Germany
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 50.5% 62.9%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 49.4% 62.2%
2023 17% 8.25% 48.1% 62.3%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 48.6% 64.4%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 50.7% 67.9%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 51.1% 68%
2019 28% 6.14% 45.5% 58.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 44.7% 60.8%
2017 27.7% 8% 44.5% 64%
2016 28% 8.44% 44.7% 68.3%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 44.5% 71.2%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 44.5% 74.5%
2013 25% 6.9% 45.2% 77.5%
2012 25% 6.76% 45.1% 79.8%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 45.3% 78.5%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 48.1% 81%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 48.3% 72.4%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 44.4% 65.2%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 43.5% 63.7%
2006 18.3% 23% 45.3% 66.4%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 46.9% 67.1%
2004 15.1% 245% 47% 65%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 48.5% 63.3%
2002 6.94% 346% 48.2% 59.8%
2001 - - 47.7% 58.1%
2000 - - 48.1% 59.2%
1999 - - 48.5% 60.3%
1998 - - 48.3% 59.4%
1997 - - 48.8% 58.8%
1996 - - 49.6% 57.7%
1995 - - 55.2% 54.9%
1994 - - 48.3% 47.5%
1993 - - 48.3% 45.1%
1992 - - 47.4% 41.4%
1991 - - 46.5% 39%
1990 - - 44.7% 40.7%
1989 - - 44.3% 39.2%
1988 - - 45.6% 40.5%
1987 - - 46% 40.1%
1986 - - 45.7% 39.1%
1985 - - 46.6% 39.2%
1984 - - 47.2% 38.7%
1983 - - 47.9% 38%
1982 - - 49.1% 36.4%
1981 - - 49% 33.6%
1980 - - 48.2% 30.1%
1979 - - 47.4% 28.2%
1978 - - 47.7% 27.4%
1977 - - 49% 26%
1976 - - 49.4% 25.1%
1975 - - 50.3% 23.7%
1974 - - 46% 18.5%
1973 - - 42.4% 17.3%
1972 - - 41.8% 18%
1971 - - 40.9% 17.7%
1970 - - 39.5% 17.7%
1969 - - 29.7% 20.3%
1968 - - 28.5% 22.5%
1967 - - 28.8% 22.5%
1966 - - 28.3% 19.8%
1965 - - 28.4% 18.7%
1964 - - 29% 18.2%
1963 - - 29.1% 18.1%
1962 - - 29.2% 17.6%
1961 - - 28.8% 18.7%
1960 - - 22.9% 18.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Germany spent $2.55T, or 50.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 62.9% in Germany, ranking 181/185 and 70/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Germany
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Germany
2025 -0.89% -2.67%
2024 -0.55% -2.66%
2023 -1.33% -2.49%
2022 -1% -1.91%
2021 -0.48% -3.17%
2020 -2.24% -4.38%
2019 -1.06% 1.33%
2018 1.63% 1.88%
2017 -0.67% 1.34%
2016 0.13% 1.13%
2015 -1.38% 0.91%
2014 -1.72% 0.73%
2013 -0.63% 0.12%
2012 0.18% -0.05%
2011 -0.67% -0.84%
2010 0.93% -4.42%
2009 -1.76% -3.18%
2008 -3.86% -0.26%
2007 -2.46% 0.15%
2006 0.68% -1.76%
2005 -0.92% -3.37%
2004 -2.39% -3.42%
2003 -2.1% -3.83%
2002 -0.1% -4.09%
2001 - -3.12%
2000 - -1.71%
1999 - -1.87%
1998 - -2.65%
1997 - -3.03%
1996 - -3.64%
1995 - -9.44%
1994 - -2.54%
1993 - -3.11%
1992 - -2.63%
1991 - -3.21%
1990 - -1.94%
1989 - 0.08%
1988 - -2.02%
1987 - -1.85%
1986 - -1.18%
1985 - -1.18%
1984 - -2.04%
1983 - -2.95%
1982 - -3.56%
1981 - -4.03%
1980 - -3.02%
1979 - -2.71%
1978 - -2.62%
1977 - -2.56%
1976 - -3.5%
1975 - -5.78%
1974 - -1.69%
1973 - 1.14%
1972 - -0.37%
1971 - 0.16%
1970 - 0.53%
1969 - -0.43%
1968 - 1.39%
1967 - 2.73%
1966 - 1.76%
1965 - 2.26%
1964 - 1.49%
1963 - 1.43%
1962 - 0.49%
1961 - -0.12%
1960 - -0.34%
1959 - 0.77%
1958 - 1.77%
1957 - 1.99%
1956 - 0.59%
1955 - -1.41%
1954 - -0.37%
1953 - -0.13%
1952 - 0%
1951 - 1.15%
1950 - 1.81%
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 - -0.64%
1933 - -0.43%
1932 - -1.11%
1931 - -1.03%
1930 - -1.52%
1929 - -0.9%
1928 - -1.47%
1927 - -0.44%
1926 - -1.3%
1925 - 0.34%
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.007%
1912 - -0.26%
1911 - 0.06%
1910 - -0.21%
1909 - 0.11%
1908 - -0.11%
1907 - -0.14%
1906 - 0.76%
1905 - 1.21%
1904 - 0.41%
1903 - 0.88%
1902 - 0.08%
1901 - 0.91%
1900 - 0.27%
1899 - 0.6%
1898 - 0.47%
1897 - 0.39%
1896 - 0.63%
1895 - 0.47%
1894 - 0.44%
1893 - 0.42%
1892 - -0.24%
1891 - 1.18%
1890 - 0.12%
1889 - 1.16%
1888 - 0.62%
1887 - 0.88%
1886 - 0.23%
1885 - 0.21%
1884 - 0.23%
1883 - 0.55%
1882 - 0.41%
1881 - 0.12%
1880 - -0.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/germany | 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 Germany's deficit of $125B, or 2.66% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Germany ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.4% of GDP for Germany.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Germany
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Germany
2025 2.9% 2.17%
2024 -4.3% 2.26%
2023 -7.7% 5.95%
2022 10.6% 6.87%
2021 7.8% 3.07%
2020 5.6% 0.14%
2019 2.3% 1.45%
2018 0.6% 1.73%
2017 5% 1.51%
2016 4.4% 0.49%
2015 -0.7% 0.51%
2014 4.7% 0.91%
2013 7.4% 1.5%
2012 6.4% 2.01%
2011 11.8% 2.08%
2010 2.2% 1.1%
2009 -6.8% 0.31%
2008 26.4% 2.63%
2007 8.7% 2.3%
2006 6.8% 1.58%
2005 10.6% 1.55%
2004 16.4% 1.67%
2003 35.7% 1.03%
2002 - 1.42%
2001 - 1.98%
2000 - 1.44%
1999 - 0.59%
1998 - 0.91%
1997 - 1.94%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 1.95% in Germany. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 2.17% in Germany.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $5.81M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.97M
Animal & marine products $2.89M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Germany
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $38.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17.2M
Chemicals & pharma $13.9M
Raw materials & minerals $3.11M
Animal & marine products $803K
Metals $644K
Textiles & consumer goods $468K
Miscellaneous $294K
Raw agricultural goods $132K
Wood & paper products $46K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Germany
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$228B
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
2/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+4.51%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$1.32T
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$1.53T
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$602B
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$518B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
38.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
40.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Germany
Economic freedom 53 71.7
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 30/197
Property rights 3.6 95.5
Government integrity 13.5 84.5
Judicial effectiveness 0 94.6
Tax burden 92 60.5
Government spending 90.8 28.8
Fiscal health 98.4 83.1
Business freedom 33.7 79.8
Labor freedom 44.4 52.2
Monetary freedom 84.9 72.5
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Germany
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Germany
2026 - 71.7
2025 - 71.6
2024 - 72.1
2023 - 73.7
2022 - 76.1
2021 53 72.5
2020 54.7 73.5
2019 51.5 73.5
2018 51.3 74.2
2017 48.9 73.8
2016 - 74.4
2015 - 73.8
2014 - 73.4
2013 - 72.8
2012 - 71
2011 - 71.8
2010 - 71.1
2009 - 70.5
2008 - 70.6
2007 - 70.8
2006 - 70.8
2005 - 68.1
2004 - 69.5
2003 - 69.7
2002 - 70.4
2001 - 69.5
2000 - 65.7
1999 - 65.6
1998 - 64.3
1997 - 67.5
1996 - 69.1
1995 - 69.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 71.7 for Germany, ranking 30/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Germany
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
64.5%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
25.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
0.87%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$5.03T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$78,140
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$572B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
7/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$12.9B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$62.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$87B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
14.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
21.9%
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/germany | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.