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Economy of Afghanistan vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $363B for Iran, ranking 139/197 and 44/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $135B (37.3% of GDP) in Iran.

Afghanistan vs Iran GDP by year

Afghanistan
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Iran
2025 - $362,682,115,433
2024 $17,778,508,876 $475,252,089,215
2023 $17,152,234,637 $457,510,482,317
2022 $14,497,243,872 $422,662,261,526
2021 $14,259,995,441 $407,350,685,583
2020 $19,955,929,052 $280,934,329,280
2019 $18,799,444,490 $347,988,400,958
2018 $18,053,222,687 $411,903,303,606
2017 $18,753,456,498 $510,239,893,418
2016 $18,116,572,395 $478,618,064,871
2015 $19,134,221,645 $409,191,686,497
2014 $20,497,128,556 $462,284,793,281
2013 $20,146,416,758 $500,399,839,840
2012 $19,907,329,778 $644,019,315,004
2011 $17,805,098,206 $629,082,257,472
2010 $15,856,668,556 $487,069,570,464
2009 $12,416,152,732 $414,059,094,949
2008 $10,109,297,048 $406,070,949,554
2007 $9,747,886,187 $349,736,591,832
2006 $6,971,758,282 $265,602,187,404
2005 $6,203,256,539 $224,970,371,325
2004 $5,224,896,719 $187,754,571,248
2003 $4,520,946,819 $151,911,222,119
2002 $3,825,701,439 $128,626,917,504
2001 $2,813,571,754 $126,878,750,296
2000 $3,521,418,060 $109,591,707,802
1999 - $113,848,450,088
1998 - $110,276,913,363
1997 - $113,919,163,421
1996 - $120,403,931,885
1995 - $96,419,225,744
1994 - $71,841,461,173
1993 - $63,743,623,232
1992 - $119,768,691,217
1991 - $131,637,664,958
1990 - $124,813,263,926
1989 - $120,496,362,916
1988 - $123,057,861,334
1987 - $134,009,995,923
1986 - $209,094,561,833
1985 - $180,183,629,600
1984 - $162,276,728,620
1983 - $156,365,156,618
1982 - $125,948,756,439
1981 - $100,499,312,750
1980 - $94,362,275,580
1979 - $90,391,877,326
1978 - $77,994,316,621
1977 - $80,600,122,702
1976 - $68,055,295,081
1975 - $51,776,222,350
1974 - $46,209,092,072
1973 - $27,081,698,250
1972 - $17,153,463,263
1971 - $13,731,802,833
1970 - $10,976,245,154
1969 - $9,743,089,607
1968 - $8,623,172,960
1967 - $7,555,383,690
1966 - $6,789,938,672
1965 - $6,197,319,929
1964 - $5,379,845,648
1963 - $4,928,628,018
1962 - $4,693,566,416
1961 - $4,426,949,095
1960 - $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Iran by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $3,924 -
2024 $417 - $5,190 $19,874
2023 $414 $2,202 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $357 $2,123 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $356 $2,144 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $511 $2,562 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $497 $2,583 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $491 $2,432 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $525 $2,336 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $522 $2,213 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $566 $2,284 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $625 $2,224 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $637 $2,133 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $651 $1,988 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $607 $1,744 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $561 $1,766 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $452 $1,571 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $382 $1,334 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $376 $1,287 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $221.8 $972 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $198.9 $967 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $179 $927 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $138.7 $748 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $174.9 $814 $1,650 $11,187
1999 - - $1,740 $10,489
1998 - - $1,709 $10,285
1997 - - $1,790 $10,101
1996 - - $1,915 $9,916
1995 - - $1,550 $9,255
1994 - - $1,168 $8,951
1993 - - $1,038 $8,933
1992 - - $1,957 $8,888
1991 - - $2,194 $8,580
1990 - - $2,138 $7,566
1989 - - $2,125 -
1988 - - $2,234 -
1987 - - $2,513 -
1986 - - $4,064 -
1985 - - $3,634 -
1984 - - $3,395 -
1983 - - $3,397 -
1982 - - $2,845 -
1981 - - $2,393 -
1980 - - $2,368 -
1979 - - $2,352 -
1978 - - $2,101 -
1977 - - $2,243 -
1976 - - $1,954 -
1975 - - $1,532 -
1974 - - $1,409 -
1973 - - $851 -
1972 - - $555 -
1971 - - $457 -
1970 - - $377 -
1969 - - $345 -
1968 - - $314 -
1967 - - $283.7 -
1966 - - $262.9 -
1965 - - $247.5 -
1964 - - $221.7 -
1963 - - $209.6 -
1962 - - $205.8 -
1961 - - $200.1 -
1960 - - $195.6 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $3,924 in Iran, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Iran
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$363B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
44/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
-2.83%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$3,924
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
135/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
97/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$135B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
37.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$1,463
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
133/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$2,958
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$186B
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
13.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
42.2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
7.63%
2024
Population
45682388
93580141

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 13.4% 37.3%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 16% 31.2%
2023 17% 8.25% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 28% 6.14% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 27.7% 8% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 28% 8.44% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 25% 6.9% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 25% 6.76% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 18.3% 23% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 15.1% 245% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 6.94% 346% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 - - 13.6% 21%
2000 - - 13.3% 18.2%
1999 - - 15.7% 22.2%
1998 - - 16.9% 29.6%
1997 - - 17.4% 30.9%
1996 - - 17.3% 29.3%
1995 - - 21% 31.2%
1994 - - 23% 41.7%
1993 - - 27.2% 25.6%
1992 - - 14.4% 25.2%
1991 - - 14% 29.3%
1990 - - 16.4% 37%
1989 - - 20% 48.8%
1988 - - 23.6% 53.2%
1987 - - 18.6% 48.6%
1986 - - 19% 47.4%
1985 - - 21.6% 8.73%
1984 - - 23.7% 10%
1983 - - 27.5% 35.7%
1982 - - 29.7% 47.7%
1981 - - 33.7% 47.6%
1980 - - 35.8% 35.5%
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - 9.23%
1976 - - - 6.92%
1975 - - - 8.81%
1974 - - - 6.68%
1973 - - - 12.8%
1972 - - - 12.7%
1971 - - - 14.2%
1970 - - - 14.1%
1969 - - - -
1968 - - 23.6% -
1967 - - 22.3% -
1966 - - 20.5% -
1965 - - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 - - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 - - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 - - 15.6% 13.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Iran spent $48.7B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 37.3% in Iran, ranking 181/185 and 139/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Iran
2025 -0.89% -5.65%
2024 -0.55% -2.68%
2023 -1.33% -3.04%
2022 -1% -2.64%
2021 -0.48% -3.01%
2020 -2.24% -4.87%
2019 -1.06% -4.3%
2018 1.63% -1.59%
2017 -0.67% -1.55%
2016 0.13% -1.7%
2015 -1.38% -1.3%
2014 -1.72% -0.91%
2013 -0.63% -0.72%
2012 0.18% -0.5%
2011 -0.67% -0.66%
2010 0.93% -0.84%
2009 -1.76% -3.3%
2008 -3.86% -4.39%
2007 -2.46% -2.41%
2006 0.68% -4.91%
2005 -0.92% -2.44%
2004 -2.39% -2.45%
2003 -2.1% -2.76%
2002 -0.1% -2.88%
2001 - 0.02%
2000 - 5.42%
1999 - -0.51%
1998 - -5.03%
1997 - -1.81%
1996 - -0.75%
1995 - -2.63%
1994 - -3.36%
1993 - -5.15%
1992 - -0.86%
1991 - -1.64%
1990 - -1.73%
1989 - -4.45%
1988 - -10.3%
1987 - -6.84%
1986 - -7.84%
1985 - -3.74%
1984 - -4.02%
1983 - -6.15%
1982 - -5.55%
1981 - -10.7%
1980 - -14.2%
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -4.57%
1967 - -4%
1966 - -2.63%
1965 - -1.23%
1964 - -0.04%
1963 - 0.26%
1962 - -1.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/iran | 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 Iran's deficit of $12.7B, or 2.68% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.43% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Iran
2025 2.9% 42.2%
2024 -4.3% 32.5%
2023 -7.7% 44.6%
2022 10.6% 43.5%
2021 7.8% 43.4%
2020 5.6% 30.6%
2019 2.3% 39.9%
2018 0.6% 18%
2017 5% 8.04%
2016 4.4% 7.25%
2015 -0.7% 12.5%
2014 4.7% 16.6%
2013 7.4% 36.6%
2012 6.4% 27.3%
2011 11.8% 26.3%
2010 2.2% 10.1%
2009 -6.8% 13.6%
2008 26.4% 25.4%
2007 8.7% 17.3%
2006 6.8% 10%
2005 10.6% 13.4%
2004 16.4% 14.8%
2003 35.7% 16.5%
2002 - 14.3%
2001 - 11.3%
2000 - 14.5%
1999 - 20.1%
1998 - 17.9%
1997 - 17.3%

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/iran | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 23.9% in Iran. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 42.2% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $12.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $812K
Metals $443K
Chemicals & pharma $281K
Raw materials & minerals $144K
Machinery & equipment $25K
Animal & marine products $8K
Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $519M
Chemicals & pharma $328M
Textiles & consumer goods $195M
Raw agricultural goods $185M
Metals $175M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $141M
Machinery & equipment $94.5M
Animal & marine products $92.9M
Wood & paper products $29.1M
Miscellaneous $4.17M

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Iran
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$700M
2020
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
34.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
25.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Iran
Economic freedom 53 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 185/197
Property rights 3.6 20.2
Government integrity 13.5 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 0 18.7
Tax burden 92 81.3
Government spending 90.8 94.7
Fiscal health 98.4 83.3
Business freedom 33.7 37.4
Labor freedom 44.4 41.8
Monetary freedom 84.9 42.2
Trade freedom 68.6 55.8
Investment freedom 10 5
Financial freedom 10 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Iran
2026 - 41.8
2025 - 42.5
2024 - 41.2
2023 - 42.2
2022 - 42.4
2021 53 47.2
2020 54.7 49.2
2019 51.5 51.1
2018 51.3 50.9
2017 48.9 50.5
2016 - 43.5
2015 - 41.8
2014 - 40.3
2013 - 43.2
2012 - 42.3
2011 - 42.1
2010 - 43.4
2009 - 44.6
2008 - 45
2007 - 45
2006 - 45
2005 - 50.5
2004 - 42.8
2003 - 43.2
2002 - 36.4
2001 - 35.9
2000 - 36.1
1999 - 36.8
1998 - 36
1997 - 34.5
1996 - 36.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 41.8 for Iran, ranking 185/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Iran
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
47.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
39.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
10.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$429B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$19,660
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
89/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
41.8%
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/iran | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.