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Economy of Afghanistan vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 137/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Afghanistan vs Ireland GDP by year

Afghanistan
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Ireland
2024 - $609,157,459,747
2023 $17,152,234,637 $567,372,737,459
2022 $14,497,243,872 $548,341,794,599
2021 $14,259,995,441 $530,394,123,830
2020 $19,955,929,052 $436,009,027,819
2019 $18,799,444,490 $407,211,793,801
2018 $18,053,222,687 $395,780,319,817
2017 $18,753,456,498 $348,355,212,569
2016 $18,116,572,395 $305,431,252,709
2015 $19,134,221,645 $302,101,388,556
2014 $20,497,128,556 $266,490,442,124
2013 $20,146,416,758 $242,924,245,719
2012 $19,907,329,778 $226,921,827,888
2011 $17,805,098,206 $240,975,871,047
2010 $15,856,668,556 $221,732,824,603
2009 $12,416,152,732 $236,443,115,854
2008 $10,109,297,048 $275,447,471,451
2007 $9,747,886,187 $270,079,279,420
2006 $6,971,758,282 $232,180,617,162
2005 $6,203,256,539 $211,876,989,656
2004 $5,224,896,719 $194,372,115,041
2003 $4,520,946,819 $164,670,771,260
2002 $3,825,701,439 $128,596,035,288
2001 $2,813,571,754 $109,346,669,230
2000 $3,521,418,060 $100,207,610,430
1999 - $98,893,958,263
1998 - $90,199,410,116
1997 - $82,856,648,758
1996 - $75,790,786,290
1995 - $69,139,823,232
1994 - $57,097,656,066
1993 - $52,417,477,614
1992 - $55,918,538,121
1991 - $49,787,501,584
1990 - $49,305,632,408
1989 - $39,238,392,678
1988 - $37,772,896,221
1987 - $33,920,518,493
1986 - $28,714,571,852
1985 - $21,270,013,326
1984 - $20,106,648,455
1983 - $20,766,047,764
1982 - $21,474,752,962
1981 - $20,670,190,138
1980 - $21,747,855,640
1979 - $18,319,334,300
1978 - $14,647,996,074
1977 - $11,248,340,431
1976 - $9,453,756,015
1975 - $9,483,808,362
1974 - $7,896,860,615
1973 - $7,481,173,066
1972 - $6,318,060,582
1971 - $5,098,250,287
1970 - $4,395,995,086
1969 - $3,902,721,632
1968 - $3,378,701,147
1967 - $3,445,739,915
1966 - $3,198,820,904
1965 - $3,035,655,794
1964 - $2,851,091,646
1963 - $2,505,073,358
1962 - $2,329,372,972
1961 - $2,151,772,980
1960 - $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Ireland by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $112,895 $133,437
2023 $414 $2,202 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $357 $2,123 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $356 $2,144 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $511 $2,562 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $497 $2,583 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $491 $2,432 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $525 $2,336 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $522 $2,213 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $566 $2,284 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $625 $2,224 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $637 $2,133 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $651 $1,988 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $607 $1,744 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $561 $1,766 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $452 $1,571 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $382 $1,334 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $376 $1,287 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $221.8 $972 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $198.9 $967 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $179 $927 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $138.7 $748 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $174.9 $814 $26,335 $30,216
1999 - - $26,338 $27,041
1998 - - $24,295 $25,094
1997 - - $22,551 $22,637
1996 - - $20,836 $20,482
1995 - - $19,158 $18,944
1994 - - $15,903 $17,011
1993 - - $14,657 $15,811
1992 - - $15,714 $15,116
1991 - - $14,087 $14,399
1990 - - $14,031 $13,743
1989 - - $11,176 -
1988 - - $10,716 -
1987 - - $9,582 -
1986 - - $8,112 -
1985 - - $6,012 -
1984 - - $5,692 -
1983 - - $5,915 -
1982 - - $6,161 -
1981 - - $5,986 -
1980 - - $6,372 -
1979 - - $5,430 -
1978 - - $4,400 -
1977 - - $3,427 -
1976 - - $2,920 -
1975 - - $2,973 -
1974 - - $2,517 -
1973 - - $2,424 -
1972 - - $2,080 -
1971 - - $1,704 -
1970 - - $1,487 -
1969 - - $1,331 -
1968 - - $1,159 -
1967 - - $1,187 -
1966 - - $1,107 -
1965 - - $1,055 -
1964 - - $995 -
1963 - - $878 -
1962 - - $821 -
1961 - - $762 -
1960 - - $707 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Ireland
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$609B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
25/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
4/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.27%
2024
Population
45409324
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 17% 8.42% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 28% 6.14% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 27.7% 8% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 28% 8.44% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 28.1% 74%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 25% 6.92% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 25% 6.77% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 18.3% 23% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 33% 26.1%
2004 15.1% 245% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 6.94% 346% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 - - 32.2% 33.6%
2000 - - 30.6% 36.4%
1999 - - 32.5% 46.6%
1998 - - 34.2% 51.4%
1997 - - 36.1% 61.6%
1996 - - 38.5% 69.8%
1995 - - 40.3% 78.5%
1994 - - 44.2% 88%
1993 - - 44.6% 93.4%
1992 - - 46.8% 90.6%
1991 - - 46.1% 93.8%
1990 - - 44.6% 92.7%
1989 - - 42.5% 97.9%
1988 - - 48.2% 106.5%
1987 - - 51.4% 108.3%
1986 - - 52.9% 107.2%
1985 - - 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

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/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 181/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Ireland
2024 -0.54% 4.09%
2023 -1.33% 1.52%
2022 -1% 1.67%
2021 -0.48% -1.37%
2020 -2.24% -4.87%
2019 -1.06% 0.41%
2018 1.63% 0.09%
2017 -0.67% -0.3%
2016 0.13% -0.76%
2015 -1.38% -1.97%
2014 -1.72% -3.52%
2013 -0.63% -6.28%
2012 0.18% -8.42%
2011 -0.67% -13.5%
2010 0.93% -32.1%
2009 -1.76% -13.9%
2008 -3.86% -7.03%
2007 -2.46% 0.27%
2006 0.68% 2.78%
2005 -0.92% 1.57%
2004 -2.39% 1.3%
2003 -2.1% 0.35%
2002 -0.1% -0.52%
2001 - 0.96%
2000 - 4.86%
1999 - 3.54%
1998 - 2.07%
1997 - 1.37%
1996 - -0.2%
1995 - -2.07%
1994 - -1.82%
1993 - -2.62%
1992 - -2.84%
1991 - -2.8%
1990 - -2.69%
1989 - -2.64%
1988 - -4.62%
1987 - -8.47%
1986 - -10.5%
1985 - -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/ireland | 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 Ireland's surplus of $8.65B, or 1.52% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.84% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Ireland
2024 -4.3% 2.11%
2023 -7.7% 6.3%
2022 10.6% 7.83%
2021 7.8% 2.34%
2020 5.6% -0.33%
2019 2.3% 0.94%
2018 0.6% 0.47%
2017 5% 0.36%
2016 4.4% 0.02%
2015 -0.7% -0.33%
2014 4.7% 0.19%
2013 7.4% 0.52%
2012 6.4% 1.69%
2011 11.8% 2.55%
2010 2.2% -0.92%
2009 -6.8% -4.45%
2008 26.4% 4.04%
2007 8.7% 4.89%
2006 6.8% 3.94%
2005 10.6% 2.46%
2004 16.4% 2.18%
2003 35.7% 3.49%
2002 - 4.63%
2001 - 4.85%
2000 - 5.58%
1999 - 1.63%
1998 - 2.41%
1997 - 1.54%

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/ireland | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 1.83% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.31M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $647K
Machinery & equipment $71K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Wood & paper products $4K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Ireland
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$356B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$467B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Ireland
Economic freedom 53 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 3/197
Property rights 3.6 94.4
Government integrity 13.5 84
Judicial effectiveness 0 95.4
Tax burden 92 77.7
Government spending 90.8 85.9
Fiscal health 98.4 97
Business freedom 33.7 85.5
Labor freedom 44.4 61.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 79.3
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 90
Financial freedom 10 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Ireland
2026 - 83.3
2025 - 83.1
2024 - 82.6
2023 - 82
2022 - 82
2021 53 81.4
2020 54.7 80.9
2019 51.5 80.5
2018 51.3 80.4
2017 48.9 76.7
2016 - 77.3
2015 - 76.6
2014 - 76.2
2013 - 75.7
2012 - 76.9
2011 - 78.7
2010 - 81.3
2009 - 82.2
2008 - 82.5
2007 - 82.6
2006 - 82.2
2005 - 80.8
2004 - 80.3
2003 - 80.9
2002 - 80.5
2001 - 81.2
2000 - 76.1
1999 - 74.6
1998 - 73.7
1997 - 72.6
1996 - 68.5
1995 - 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Ireland
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
18.2%
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/ireland | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, 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 (2021–2024, 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.