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Economy of Afghanistan vs India compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $3.91T for India, ranking 137/197 and 5/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $3.19T (81.6% of GDP) in India.

Afghanistan vs India GDP by year

Afghanistan
India
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan India
2024 - $3,909,891,533,858
2023 $17,152,234,637 $3,638,489,096,034
2022 $14,497,243,872 $3,346,107,287,731
2021 $14,259,995,441 $3,167,270,623,260
2020 $19,955,929,052 $2,674,851,578,587
2019 $18,799,444,490 $2,835,606,256,558
2018 $18,053,222,687 $2,702,929,641,649
2017 $18,753,456,498 $2,651,474,262,755
2016 $18,116,572,395 $2,294,796,885,663
2015 $19,134,221,645 $2,103,588,360,045
2014 $20,497,128,556 $2,039,126,479,155
2013 $20,146,416,758 $1,856,721,507,622
2012 $19,907,329,778 $1,827,637,590,410
2011 $17,805,098,206 $1,823,051,829,895
2010 $15,856,668,556 $1,675,615,519,485
2009 $12,416,152,732 $1,341,888,016,995
2008 $10,109,297,048 $1,198,895,139,006
2007 $9,747,886,187 $1,216,736,438,835
2006 $6,971,758,282 $940,259,888,788
2005 $6,203,256,539 $820,383,763,511
2004 $5,224,896,719 $709,152,728,831
2003 $4,520,946,819 $607,700,687,237
2002 $3,825,701,439 $514,939,140,319
2001 $2,813,571,754 $485,440,139,204
2000 $3,521,418,060 $468,395,521,654
1999 - $458,821,052,616
1998 - $421,351,317,225
1997 - $415,867,563,593
1996 - $392,896,866,205
1995 - $360,281,909,643
1994 - $327,274,843,459
1993 - $279,295,648,983
1992 - $288,208,070,278
1991 - $270,105,341,879
1990 - $320,979,026,420
1989 - $296,042,052,945
1988 - $296,589,670,896
1987 - $279,033,584,092
1986 - $248,985,994,041
1985 - $232,511,554,840
1984 - $212,157,645,178
1983 - $218,262,146,413
1982 - $200,715,624,831
1981 - $193,491,368,446
1980 - $186,328,579,302
1979 - $152,995,442,498
1978 - $137,302,319,829
1977 - $121,486,641,441
1976 - $102,716,451,980
1975 - $98,473,832,017
1974 - $99,526,597,934
1973 - $85,517,673,173
1972 - $71,464,700,667
1971 - $67,351,404,352
1970 - $62,422,483,055
1969 - $58,447,995,017
1968 - $53,085,455,871
1967 - $50,134,942,204
1966 - $45,581,230,504
1965 - $59,556,105,229
1964 - $56,480,289,941
1963 - $48,421,923,459
1962 - $42,161,481,858
1961 - $39,232,435,784
1960 - $37,029,883,876

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs India by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
India
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan India
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $2,695 $11,160
2023 $414 $2,202 $2,530 $10,323
2022 $357 $2,123 $2,347 $9,207
2021 $356 $2,144 $2,240 $8,050
2020 $511 $2,562 $1,907 $6,966
2019 $497 $2,583 $2,041 $7,151
2018 $491 $2,432 $1,966 $6,715
2017 $525 $2,336 $1,950 $6,145
2016 $522 $2,213 $1,708 $5,800
2015 $566 $2,284 $1,584 $5,425
2014 $625 $2,224 $1,554 $5,192
2013 $637 $2,133 $1,433 $5,014
2012 $651 $1,988 $1,429 $4,820
2011 $607 $1,744 $1,445 $4,455
2010 $561 $1,766 $1,348 $4,206
2009 $452 $1,571 $1,095 $3,887
2008 $382 $1,334 $993 $3,633
2007 $376 $1,287 $1,022 $3,508
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $802 $3,221
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $710 $2,937
2004 $221.8 $972 $624 $2,682
2003 $198.9 $967 $544 $2,461
2002 $179 $927 $469 $2,277
2001 $138.7 $748 $450 $2,200
2000 $174.9 $814 $443 $2,091
1999 - - $442 $2,006
1998 - - $414 $1,852
1997 - - $416 $1,759
1996 - - $401 $1,695
1995 - - $375 $1,579
1994 - - $348 $1,467
1993 - - $303 $1,374
1992 - - $319 $1,309
1991 - - $306 $1,239
1990 - - $371 $1,212
1989 - - $350 -
1988 - - $358 -
1987 - - $345 -
1986 - - $315 -
1985 - - $301 -
1984 - - $281 -
1983 - - $296 -
1982 - - $278.7 -
1981 - - $275 -
1980 - - $271.1 -
1979 - - $228 -
1978 - - $209.4 -
1977 - - $189.6 -
1976 - - $164.1 -
1975 - - $161.1 -
1974 - - $166.7 -
1973 - - $146.6 -
1972 - - $125.3 -
1971 - - $120.7 -
1970 - - $114.4 -
1969 - - $109.5 -
1968 - - $101.6 -
1967 - - $98 -
1966 - - $91 -
1965 - - $121.5 -
1964 - - $117.9 -
1963 - - $103.4 -
1962 - - $92.2 -
1961 - - $87.9 -
1960 - - $84.9 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $2,695 in India, ranking 143/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while India ranks 130th at $11,160.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan India
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$3.91T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
5/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
6.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$2,695
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
143/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$11,160
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
130/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$3.19T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
81.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$2,200
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
118/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$4,596
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.13T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
917,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
205
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
4.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
28.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
4.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
5.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.17%
2024
Population
45409324
1480351380

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
India
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan India
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 28.4% 81.6%
2023 17% 8.42% 27.9% 80.7%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 29.1% 82.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 29.9% 83.5%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 31% 88.4%
2019 28% 6.14% 26.8% 75.1%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 26.3% 70.4%
2017 27.7% 8% 26.2% 69.7%
2016 28% 8.44% 27.2% 68.9%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 27.1% 69%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 26.2% 67.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 26.6% 67.7%
2012 25% 6.77% 27.4% 68%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 27.6% 68.7%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 28% 67.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 28.5% 72.7%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 29.3% 74.3%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 26.9% 75.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 26.9% 77.9%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 26.9% 82.4%
2004 15.1% 245% 28.4% 84.9%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 29.9% 85.9%
2002 6.94% 346% 29.1% 84.3%
2001 - - 28.3% 80.1%
2000 - - 26.1% 74.9%
1999 - - 25.8% 71.3%
1998 - - 26% 69.3%
1997 - - 25.2% 69%
1996 - - 24.4% 67.1%
1995 - - 25% 70.9%
1994 - - 26.2% 74.8%
1993 - - 26.2% 78.3%
1992 - - 26.7% 78.8%
1991 - - 27.3% 76.7%
1990 - - 25.8% 50.8%
1989 - - 25.7% 50.5%
1988 - - 24.9% 48.9%
1987 - - 22.5% 48.9%
1986 - - 23.2% 47.9%
1985 - - 21.6% 44.3%
1984 - - 19.8% 41.6%
1983 - - 17.8% 39.6%
1982 - - 17.8% 41.7%
1981 - - 16.6% 37.2%
1980 - - 17.5% 38%
1979 - - 15.6% 32.2%
1978 - - 15% 30.8%
1977 - - 13.9% 29.9%
1976 - - 14.4% 31.3%
1975 - - 12.7% 29.5%
1974 - - 11.3% 29%
1973 - - 12.9% 34.1%
1972 - - 13.5% 37.2%
1971 - - 12.4% 37.6%
1970 - - 11.7% 38.1%
1969 - - 11.5% 38.8%
1968 - - 12.6% 40.3%
1967 - - 13.8% 38.5%
1966 - - 13.8% 36.2%
1965 - - 13.7% 36.8%
1964 - - 13.2% 33.8%
1963 - - 12.3% 35.5%
1962 - - 11.5% 36.2%
1961 - - 11.8% 38.7%
1960 - - 11.2% 36.5%

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

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while India spent $1.11T, or 28.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 81.6% in India, ranking 181/185 and 43/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

India
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan India
2024 -0.54% -7.9%
2023 -1.33% -7.4%
2022 -1% -8.97%
2021 -0.48% -9.45%
2020 -2.24% -12.9%
2019 -1.06% -7.69%
2018 1.63% -6.34%
2017 -0.67% -6.23%
2016 0.13% -7.12%
2015 -1.38% -7.21%
2014 -1.72% -7.07%
2013 -0.63% -7%
2012 0.18% -7.55%
2011 -0.67% -8.35%
2010 0.93% -8.79%
2009 -1.76% -9.7%
2008 -3.86% -9.17%
2007 -2.46% -4.59%
2006 0.68% -6.38%
2005 -0.92% -7.49%
2004 -2.39% -9.22%
2003 -2.1% -11.4%
2002 -0.1% -11.1%
2001 - -11%
2000 - -8.41%
1999 - -8.7%
1998 - -9.74%
1997 - -8.28%
1996 - -6.71%
1995 - -6.81%
1994 - -8%
1993 - -8.57%
1992 - -7.89%
1991 - -7.9%
1990 - -8.07%
1989 - -7.68%
1988 - -7.01%
1987 - -9.53%
1986 - -10.6%
1985 - -9.58%
1984 - -8.54%
1983 - -7.28%
1982 - -6.78%
1981 - -6.07%
1980 - -7.27%
1979 - -4.87%
1978 - -4.45%
1977 - -4.1%
1976 - -4.1%
1975 - -3.11%
1974 - -2.3%
1973 - -3.53%
1972 - -3.14%
1971 - -2.9%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.66%
1968 - -3.98%
1967 - -4.97%
1966 - -4.18%
1965 - -4.49%
1964 - -4.41%
1963 - -4.16%
1962 - -3.3%
1961 - -4.1%
1960 - -4.05%
1959 - -5.29%
1958 - -5.08%
1957 - -3.35%
1956 - -2.93%
1955 - -2.77%
1954 - -2.61%
1953 - -1.83%
1952 - 0.03%
1951 - -0.5%
1950 - -1.01%
1949 - -0.73%
1948 - -0.82%
1947 - -0.86%
1946 - -2.89%
1945 - -4.4%
1944 - -3.32%
1943 - -3.48%
1942 - -3.62%
1941 - -0.37%
1940 - -0.59%
1939 - -0.32%
1938 - -0.16%
1937 - -0.1%
1936 - -0.45%
1935 - -0.4%
1934 - -0.09%
1933 - 0%
1932 - 0.03%
1931 - -0.68%
1930 - -1.02%
1929 - -0.91%
1928 - -0.87%
1927 - -0.98%
1926 - -0.88%
1925 - -0.67%
1924 - -0.3%
1923 - -0.66%
1922 - -1.05%
1921 - -1.45%
1920 - -1.57%
1919 - -1.04%
1918 - -0.48%
1917 - -5.69%
1916 - 0.25%
1915 - -0.51%
1914 - -0.98%
1913 - -0.85%
1912 - -0.58%
1911 - -0.42%
1910 - -0.85%
1909 - -0.7%
1908 - -1.25%
1907 - -1.22%
1906 - -0.8%
1905 - -2%
1904 - -0.53%
1903 - -0.56%
1902 - -0.56%
1901 - -0.27%
1900 - -1.06%
1899 - -0.56%
1898 - -0.49%
1897 - -1.02%
1896 - -1%
1895 - -0.41%
1894 - -0.5%
1893 - -0.59%
1892 - -0.56%
1891 - -0.64%
1890 - -0.8%
1889 - -0.45%
1888 - -1.94%
1887 - -1.28%
1886 - -0.75%
1885 - -1.48%
1884 - -1.22%
1883 - -0.81%
1882 - -0.77%
1881 - -0.05%
1880 - -0.69%
1879 - -0.39%
1878 - -0.12%
1877 - -0.84%
1876 - -0.8%
1875 - -0.87%
1874 - -0.15%
1873 - -0.28%
1872 - 0.31%
1871 - 0.42%
1870 - 0.19%
1869 - 0.01%
1868 - -0.38%
1867 - -0.12%
1866 - -0.31%
1865 - 0.21%
1864 - -0.11%
1863 - -0.06%
1862 - 0.15%
1861 - -0.16%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1861–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/india | 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 India's deficit of $269B, or 7.4% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while India ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 8.23% of GDP for India.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

India
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan India
2024 -4.3% 4.95%
2023 -7.7% 5.65%
2022 10.6% 6.7%
2021 7.8% 5.13%
2020 5.6% 6.62%
2019 2.3% 3.73%
2018 0.6% 3.94%
2017 5% 3.33%
2016 4.4% 4.95%
2015 -0.7% 4.91%
2014 4.7% 6.67%
2013 7.4% 10%
2012 6.4% 9.48%
2011 11.8% 8.91%
2010 2.2% 12%
2009 -6.8% 10.9%
2008 26.4% 8.35%
2007 8.7% 6.37%
2006 6.8% 5.8%
2005 10.6% 4.25%
2004 16.4% 3.77%
2003 35.7% 3.81%
2002 - 4.3%
2001 - 3.78%
2000 - 4.01%
1999 - 4.67%
1998 - 13.2%
1997 - 7.16%

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/india | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 6.37% in India. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 4.95% in India.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $409M
Metals $482K
Textiles & consumer goods $322K
Miscellaneous $56K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $34K
Raw materials & minerals $22K
Machinery & equipment $18K
India
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $110M
Textiles & consumer goods $69.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $64M
Machinery & equipment $62M
Raw agricultural goods $29.7M
Raw materials & minerals $6.02M
Animal & marine products $2.12M
Wood & paper products $1.69M
Metals $1.19M
Miscellaneous $1.09M

Balance of trade

Afghanistan India
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$32.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
186/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-0.82%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$727B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$447B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$197B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$375B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
23.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
21.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan India
Economic freedom 53 52.5
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 146/197
Property rights 3.6 48.3
Government integrity 13.5 37.8
Judicial effectiveness 0 52.6
Tax burden 92 71.2
Government spending 90.8 75.7
Fiscal health 98.4 6.7
Business freedom 33.7 67.4
Labor freedom 44.4 59
Monetary freedom 84.9 70.9
Trade freedom 68.6 61
Investment freedom 10 40
Financial freedom 10 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
India
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan India
2026 - 52.5
2025 - 53
2024 - 52.9
2023 - 52.9
2022 - 53.9
2021 53 56.5
2020 54.7 56.5
2019 51.5 55.2
2018 51.3 54.5
2017 48.9 52.6
2016 - 56.2
2015 - 54.6
2014 - 55.7
2013 - 55.2
2012 - 54.6
2011 - 54.6
2010 - 53.8
2009 - 54.4
2008 - 54.1
2007 - 53.9
2006 - 52.2
2005 - 54.2
2004 - 51.5
2003 - 51.2
2002 - 51.2
2001 - 49
2000 - 47.4
1999 - 50.2
1998 - 49.7
1997 - 49.7
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 45.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 52.5 for India, ranking 146/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan India
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
49.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
24.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
16.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$3.84T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$11,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$643B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
5/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$2.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$27.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$24.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
2.38%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
21.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
32.9%
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/india | 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 (1861–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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.