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Economy of Afghanistan vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 137/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Afghanistan vs Iceland GDP by year

Afghanistan
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Iceland
2024 - $33,255,181,469
2023 $17,152,234,637 $31,677,891,897
2022 $14,497,243,872 $29,166,102,877
2021 $14,259,995,441 $26,234,872,402
2020 $19,955,929,052 $22,034,665,041
2019 $18,799,444,490 $24,985,687,022
2018 $18,053,222,687 $26,677,652,544
2017 $18,753,456,498 $25,060,086,488
2016 $18,116,572,395 $21,083,713,310
2015 $19,134,221,645 $17,700,486,957
2014 $20,497,128,556 $18,052,183,515
2013 $20,146,416,758 $16,244,319,959
2012 $19,907,329,778 $14,943,757,823
2011 $17,805,098,206 $15,394,005,872
2010 $15,856,668,556 $13,922,711,577
2009 $12,416,152,732 $13,212,543,838
2008 $10,109,297,048 $18,247,921,360
2007 $9,747,886,187 $21,960,110,030
2006 $6,971,758,282 $17,671,649,843
2005 $6,203,256,539 $17,146,410,561
2004 $5,224,896,719 $13,963,943,244
2003 $4,520,946,819 $11,564,687,742
2002 $3,825,701,439 $9,416,199,700
2001 $2,813,571,754 $8,323,401,820
2000 $3,521,418,060 $9,140,168,922
1999 - $9,107,644,691
1998 - $8,637,732,542
1997 - $7,716,781,803
1996 - $7,686,566,105
1995 - $7,372,640,169
1994 - $6,612,804,056
1993 - $6,435,952,174
1992 - $7,328,497,599
1991 - $7,151,260,062
1990 - $6,694,851,159
1989 - $5,870,854,233
1988 - $6,320,093,411
1987 - $5,713,281,235
1986 - $4,129,080,094
1985 - $3,088,359,967
1984 - $2,964,568,006
1983 - $2,862,634,164
1982 - $3,318,714,326
1981 - $3,615,094,820
1980 - $3,499,616,683
1979 - $2,953,176,971
1978 - $2,599,627,089
1977 - $2,285,707,749
1976 - $1,727,845,419
1975 - $1,456,052,700
1974 - $1,568,154,077
1973 - $1,194,794,186
1972 - $869,002,946
1971 - $693,679,545
1970 - $545,115,909
1969 - $435,659,610
1968 - $498,365,200
1967 - $652,609,076
1966 - $660,663,763
1965 - $550,150,988
1964 - $456,206,299
1963 - $357,240,896
1962 - $299,309,938
1961 - $266,711,460
1960 - $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Iceland by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $86,041 $84,257
2023 $414 $2,202 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $357 $2,123 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $356 $2,144 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $511 $2,562 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $497 $2,583 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $491 $2,432 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $525 $2,336 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $522 $2,213 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $566 $2,284 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $625 $2,224 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $637 $2,133 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $651 $1,988 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $607 $1,744 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $561 $1,766 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $452 $1,571 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $382 $1,334 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $376 $1,287 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $221.8 $972 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $198.9 $967 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $179 $927 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $138.7 $748 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $174.9 $814 $32,504 $29,789
1999 - - $32,834 $29,558
1998 - - $31,519 $28,723
1997 - - $28,462 $26,874
1996 - - $28,584 $24,776
1995 - - $27,565 $23,954
1994 - - $24,858 $23,562
1993 - - $24,404 $22,460
1992 - - $28,072 $21,877
1991 - - $27,740 $22,416
1990 - - $26,272 $21,985
1989 - - $23,219 -
1988 - - $25,307 -
1987 - - $23,238 -
1986 - - $16,980 -
1985 - - $12,793 -
1984 - - $12,378 -
1983 - - $12,080 -
1982 - - $14,191 -
1981 - - $15,666 -
1980 - - $15,340 -
1979 - - $13,082 -
1978 - - $11,630 -
1977 - - $10,305 -
1976 - - $7,848 -
1975 - - $6,680 -
1974 - - $7,287 -
1973 - - $5,627 -
1972 - - $4,155 -
1971 - - $3,366 -
1970 - - $2,666 -
1969 - - $2,142 -
1968 - - $2,473 -
1967 - - $3,284 -
1966 - - $3,378 -
1965 - - $2,861 -
1964 - - $2,414 -
1963 - - $1,924 -
1962 - - $1,641 -
1961 - - $1,490 -
1960 - - $1,486 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Iceland
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
108/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
13/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.56%
2024
Population
45409324
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 17% 8.42% 45% 61.5%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 28% 6.14% 43% 65.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 27.7% 8% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 28% 8.44% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 43% 96.3%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 25% 6.77% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 50% 136.6%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 15.1% 245% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 45% 81.3%
2001 - - 46.9% 82.5%
2000 - - 44.3% 74.8%
1999 - - 44.8% 75.5%
1998 - - 40.2% 43.3%
1997 - - 41.3% 51.1%
1996 - - 43.9% 55.6%
1995 - - 44.4% 58.1%
1994 - - 45% 54.8%
1993 - - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 181/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Iceland
2024 -0.54% -3.51%
2023 -1.33% -2.28%
2022 -1% -3.93%
2021 -0.48% -8.33%
2020 -2.24% -8.73%
2019 -1.06% -1.57%
2018 1.63% 0.94%
2017 -0.67% 0.97%
2016 0.13% 12.4%
2015 -1.38% -0.39%
2014 -1.72% 0.29%
2013 -0.63% -1.24%
2012 0.18% -2.59%
2011 -0.67% -6.46%
2010 0.93% -6.58%
2009 -1.76% -8.54%
2008 -3.86% -12%
2007 -2.46% 5.52%
2006 0.68% 6.37%
2005 -0.92% 4.92%
2004 -2.39% 0.28%
2003 -2.1% -2.3%
2002 -0.1% -2.25%
2001 - -0.28%
2000 - 1.43%
1999 - 1.3%
1998 - -0.56%
1997 - 0.04%
1996 - -1.52%
1995 - -2.87%
1994 - -4.59%
1993 - -4.36%
1992 - -1.86%
1991 - -0.66%
1990 - -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $721M, or 2.28% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.62% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Iceland
2024 -4.3% 5.86%
2023 -7.7% 8.74%
2022 10.6% 8.31%
2021 7.8% 4.44%
2020 5.6% 2.85%
2019 2.3% 3.01%
2018 0.6% 2.68%
2017 5% 1.76%
2016 4.4% 1.7%
2015 -0.7% 1.63%
2014 4.7% 2.04%
2013 7.4% 3.87%
2012 6.4% 5.19%
2011 11.8% 4%
2010 2.2% 5.4%
2009 -6.8% 12%
2008 26.4% 12.7%
2007 8.7% 5.05%
2006 6.8% 6.69%
2005 10.6% 3.99%
2004 16.4% 3.16%
2003 35.7% 2.06%
2002 - 5.2%
2001 - 6.41%
2000 - 5.14%
1999 - 3.23%
1998 - 1.66%
1997 - 1.82%

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/iceland | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 4.87% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 5.86% in Iceland.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Iceland
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Iceland
Economic freedom 53 75
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 19/197
Property rights 3.6 94.9
Government integrity 13.5 85
Judicial effectiveness 0 95.2
Tax burden 92 72.2
Government spending 90.8 37
Fiscal health 98.4 76.2
Business freedom 33.7 86.8
Labor freedom 44.4 59.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 73.5
Trade freedom 68.6 79.8
Investment freedom 10 70
Financial freedom 10 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Iceland
2026 - 75
2025 - 72.8
2024 - 70.5
2023 - 72.2
2022 - 77
2021 53 77.4
2020 54.7 77.1
2019 51.5 77.1
2018 51.3 77
2017 48.9 74.4
2016 - 73.3
2015 - 72
2014 - 72.4
2013 - 72.1
2012 - 70.9
2011 - 68.2
2010 - 73.7
2009 - 75.9
2008 - 75.8
2007 - 76
2006 - 75.8
2005 - 76.6
2004 - 72.1
2003 - 73.5
2002 - 73.1
2001 - 73.4
2000 - 74
1999 - 71.4
1998 - 71.2
1997 - 70.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Iceland
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
26.1%
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/iceland | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.