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Economy of Afghanistan vs Italy compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $2.38T for Italy, ranking 137/197 and 8/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $3.22T (135.3% of GDP) in Italy.

Afghanistan vs Italy GDP by year

Afghanistan
Italy
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Italy
2024 - $2,380,825,077,244
2023 $17,152,234,637 $2,316,727,999,333
2022 $14,497,243,872 $2,104,067,630,319
2021 $14,259,995,441 $2,179,207,773,596
2020 $19,955,929,052 $1,907,481,094,079
2019 $18,799,444,490 $2,019,606,796,584
2018 $18,053,222,687 $2,099,435,266,459
2017 $18,753,456,498 $1,970,720,904,585
2016 $18,116,572,395 $1,887,111,188,177
2015 $19,134,221,645 $1,845,428,048,839
2014 $20,497,128,556 $2,173,255,507,986
2013 $20,146,416,758 $2,153,225,581,941
2012 $19,907,329,778 $2,097,929,495,122
2011 $17,805,098,206 $2,306,974,020,278
2010 $15,856,668,556 $2,144,936,254,535
2009 $12,416,152,732 $2,209,484,319,013
2008 $10,109,297,048 $2,417,508,414,187
2007 $9,747,886,187 $2,222,524,108,128
2006 $6,971,758,282 $1,958,563,654,386
2005 $6,203,256,539 $1,864,982,261,287
2004 $5,224,896,719 $1,812,808,753,295
2003 $4,520,946,819 $1,582,930,016,539
2002 $3,825,701,439 $1,281,746,271,196
2001 $2,813,571,754 $1,172,041,488,806
2000 $3,521,418,060 $1,149,661,363,439
1999 - $1,255,004,736,464
1998 - $1,272,729,786,997
1997 - $1,244,988,176,444
1996 - $1,314,776,508,972
1995 - $1,177,369,428,266
1994 - $1,101,750,159,702
1993 - $1,067,412,587,671
1992 - $1,323,204,350,354
1991 - $1,249,092,439,519
1990 - $1,183,945,130,899
1989 - $930,801,709,004
1988 - $893,663,934,841
1987 - $807,570,134,449
1986 - $641,862,313,287
1985 - $453,259,761,687
1984 - $438,896,930,791
1983 - $444,063,496,940
1982 - $428,257,421,618
1981 - $431,695,533,981
1980 - $478,356,755,596
1979 - $394,584,507,108
1978 - $315,784,469,541
1977 - $258,190,019,750
1976 - $225,235,205,862
1975 - $228,220,643,535
1974 - $200,024,444,775
1973 - $175,896,529,392
1972 - $145,594,833,997
1971 - $124,959,712,859
1970 - $113,656,669,765
1969 - $100,996,667,239
1968 - $91,485,448,148
1967 - $84,401,995,573
1966 - $76,622,444,787
1965 - $70,717,012,186
1964 - $65,720,771,779
1963 - $60,035,924,618
1962 - $52,413,872,628
1961 - $46,649,487,320
1960 - $42,012,422,612

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Italy by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Italy
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $40,385 $62,014
2023 $414 $2,202 $39,277 $60,030
2022 $357 $2,123 $35,654 $57,261
2021 $356 $2,144 $36,853 $49,825
2020 $511 $2,562 $32,091 $44,436
2019 $497 $2,583 $33,813 $46,662
2018 $491 $2,432 $34,904 $43,387
2017 $525 $2,336 $32,844 $42,142
2016 $522 $2,213 $31,392 $40,483
2015 $566 $2,284 $30,640 $37,384
2014 $625 $2,224 $36,028 $36,666
2013 $637 $2,133 $35,702 $36,459
2012 $651 $1,988 $34,854 $36,281
2011 $607 $1,744 $38,432 $36,392
2010 $561 $1,766 $35,857 $34,974
2009 $452 $1,571 $37,100 $34,502
2008 $382 $1,334 $40,829 $35,422
2007 $376 $1,287 $37,826 $34,108
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $33,537 $32,454
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $32,063 $30,138
2004 $221.8 $972 $31,348 $29,581
2003 $198.9 $967 $27,578 $29,249
2002 $179 $927 $22,451 $28,833
2001 $138.7 $748 $20,570 $28,134
2000 $174.9 $814 $20,190 $27,152
1999 - - $22,050 $25,655
1998 - - $22,365 $25,075
1997 - - $21,884 $23,937
1996 - - $23,123 $23,101
1995 - - $20,712 $22,446
1994 - - $19,382 $21,369
1993 - - $18,782 $20,485
1992 - - $23,297 $20,196
1991 - - $22,007 $19,596
1990 - - $20,874 $18,680
1989 - - $16,424 -
1988 - - $15,781 -
1987 - - $14,268 -
1986 - - $11,341 -
1985 - - $8,009 -
1984 - - $7,758 -
1983 - - $7,851 -
1982 - - $7,574 -
1981 - - $7,640 -
1980 - - $8,476 -
1979 - - $7,006 -
1978 - - $5,623 -
1977 - - $4,614 -
1976 - - $4,042 -
1975 - - $4,116 -
1974 - - $3,629 -
1973 - - $3,213 -
1972 - - $2,677 -
1971 - - $2,311 -
1970 - - $2,112 -
1969 - - $1,886 -
1968 - - $1,718 -
1967 - - $1,595 -
1966 - - $1,459 -
1965 - - $1,357 -
1964 - - $1,272 -
1963 - - $1,171 -
1962 - - $1,030 -
1961 - - $923 -
1960 - - $837 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $40,385 in Italy, ranking 29/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Italy ranks 31st at $62,014.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Italy
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$2.38T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
8/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
0.69%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$40,385
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
29/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$62,014
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
31/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$3.22T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
135.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$54,652
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
6/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$23,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$587B
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
1,344,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
74
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
50.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
0.98%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
6.5%
2024
Population
45409324
58562681

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Italy
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Italy
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 50.6% 135.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 54% 134.6%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 54.9% 138.3%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 56% 145.8%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 56.8% 154.4%
2019 28% 6.14% 48.4% 133.9%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 48.3% 134.2%
2017 27.7% 8% 48.8% 133.7%
2016 28% 8.44% 49% 134.2%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 50.2% 134.8%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 50.7% 134.8%
2013 25% 6.92% 50.9% 131.9%
2012 25% 6.77% 50.5% 125.9%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 49% 119.1%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 49.8% 118.8%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 51.1% 116.1%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 47.8% 105.8%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 46.6% 103.5%
2006 18.3% 23% 47.6% 106.3%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 47.1% 106.2%
2004 15.1% 245% 46.7% 104.7%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 47% 105.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 46.5% 105.9%
2001 - - 47.1% 108.5%
2000 - - 46.4% 108.7%
1999 - - 47.1% 113.1%
1998 - - 48% 113.9%
1997 - - 49.3% 116.5%
1996 - - 51.3% 118.9%
1995 - - 51.4% 119.1%
1994 - - 55.1% 130.8%
1993 - - 57.8% 124.1%
1992 - - 56.8% 113%
1991 - - 55.3% 105.3%
1990 - - 54.2% 101.7%
1989 - - 51.6% 91.8%
1988 - - 50.4% 89.2%
1987 - - 49.8% 87.4%
1986 - - 50.5% 83.4%
1985 - - 49.8% 79.1%
1984 - - 49.1% 73.1%
1983 - - 48.9% 67.8%
1982 - - 46.7% 61.8%
1981 - - 44.6% 57.3%
1980 - - 40.8% 55.1%
1979 - - 40.1% 58.9%
1978 - - 40.9% 59.9%
1977 - - 38.5% 56%
1976 - - 38.1% 57.3%
1975 - - 39.1% 57.9%
1974 - - 34.8% 50.8%
1973 - - 35.3% 51.1%
1972 - - 36.4% 48.2%
1971 - - 34.4% 42.4%
1970 - - 32.3% 37.8%
1969 - - 32.1% 37%
1968 - - 32.6% 36.4%
1967 - - 17.9% 33.3%
1966 - - 19.1% 33.4%
1965 - - 18.6% 28.4%
1964 - - 18.2% 27.2%
1963 - - 16.7% 27.2%
1962 - - 17.5% 29%
1961 - - 17.3% 30%
1960 - - 16.5% 31.4%

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/italy | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Italy spent $1.2T, or 50.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 135.3% in Italy, ranking 181/185 and 8/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Italy
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Italy
2024 -0.54% -3.45%
2023 -1.33% -7.24%
2022 -1% -8.11%
2021 -0.48% -8.88%
2020 -2.24% -9.38%
2019 -1.06% -1.45%
2018 1.63% -2.19%
2017 -0.67% -2.51%
2016 0.13% -2.4%
2015 -1.38% -2.46%
2014 -1.72% -2.82%
2013 -0.63% -2.87%
2012 0.18% -2.99%
2011 -0.67% -3.52%
2010 0.93% -4.16%
2009 -1.76% -5.06%
2008 -3.86% -2.58%
2007 -2.46% -1.33%
2006 0.68% -3.61%
2005 -0.92% -4.1%
2004 -2.39% -3.46%
2003 -2.1% -3.23%
2002 -0.1% -2.88%
2001 - -3.18%
2000 - -2.42%
1999 - -1.77%
1998 - -2.99%
1997 - -2.98%
1996 - -6.61%
1995 - -7.2%
1994 - -8.84%
1993 - -9.76%
1992 - -10.1%
1991 - -11.1%
1990 - -11.1%
1989 - -11.4%
1988 - -11%
1987 - -11.5%
1986 - -12%
1985 - -12.4%
1984 - -11.5%
1983 - -10.1%
1982 - -10%
1981 - -10.9%
1980 - -6.97%
1979 - -8.23%
1978 - -8.47%
1977 - -6.96%
1976 - -7.88%
1975 - -10.3%
1974 - -6.24%
1973 - -6.36%
1972 - -6.84%
1971 - -4.71%
1970 - -3.22%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.55%
1967 - -0.97%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.67%
1964 - -2.35%
1963 - -0.3%
1962 - -0.95%
1961 - -0.57%
1960 - -0.28%
1959 - -1%
1958 - -0.98%
1957 - -1.09%
1956 - -1.46%
1955 - -2.03%
1954 - -1.84%
1953 - -2.33%
1952 - -4.08%
1951 - -3.86%
1950 - -2.42%
1949 - -2.82%
1948 - -4.58%
1947 - -6.62%
1946 - -9.82%
1945 - -16.9%
1944 - -35.1%
1943 - -16.1%
1942 - -26.9%
1941 - -25.1%
1940 - -24.3%
1939 - -9.49%
1938 - -5.97%
1937 - -5.78%
1936 - -7.93%
1935 - -9.83%
1934 - -2.5%
1933 - -4.85%
1932 - -3.06%
1931 - -2.14%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -0.59%
1928 - -2.09%
1927 - -1.71%
1926 - -0.09%
1925 - 1.7%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - -3.21%
1922 - -11%
1921 - -7.77%
1920 - -5.89%
1919 - -11.2%
1918 - -22.7%
1917 - -27.6%
1916 - -28.2%
1915 - -25.8%
1914 - -12.4%
1913 - -0.86%
1912 - -1.86%
1911 - -0.63%
1910 - -0.32%
1909 - -0.69%
1908 - -1.31%
1907 - -0.51%
1906 - -0.69%
1905 - -1.57%
1904 - 0.58%
1903 - 0.32%
1902 - 0.48%
1901 - 0.36%
1900 - 0.28%
1899 - -0.11%
1898 - -0.21%
1897 - 0.009%
1896 - -0.43%
1895 - -0.69%
1894 - -0.23%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.25%
1891 - -1.41%
1890 - -0.32%
1889 - -1.32%
1888 - -2.11%
1887 - -1.94%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - 0.2%
1884 - -1.46%
1883 - -0.51%
1882 - -0.5%
1881 - -0.04%
1880 - 0.38%
1879 - 0.73%
1878 - 0.09%
1877 - -0.009%
1876 - -0.05%
1875 - 0.58%
1874 - -0.08%
1873 - 0.21%
1872 - 0%
1871 - -0.13%
1870 - -0.82%
1869 - 0.33%
1868 - -0.79%
1867 - -1.45%
1866 - -3.1%
1865 - -2.72%
1864 - -3.06%
1863 - -4.16%
1862 - -3.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/italy | 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 Italy's deficit of $168B, or 7.24% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Italy ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.96% of GDP for Italy.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Italy
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Italy
2024 -4.3% 0.98%
2023 -7.7% 5.62%
2022 10.6% 8.2%
2021 7.8% 1.87%
2020 5.6% -0.14%
2019 2.3% 0.61%
2018 0.6% 1.14%
2017 5% 1.23%
2016 4.4% -0.09%
2015 -0.7% 0.04%
2014 4.7% 0.24%
2013 7.4% 1.22%
2012 6.4% 3.04%
2011 11.8% 2.78%
2010 2.2% 1.53%
2009 -6.8% 0.77%
2008 26.4% 3.35%
2007 8.7% 1.83%
2006 6.8% 2.09%
2005 10.6% 1.99%
2004 16.4% 2.21%
2003 35.7% 2.67%
2002 - 2.47%
2001 - 2.79%
2000 - 2.54%
1999 - 1.66%
1998 - 1.96%
1997 - 2.04%

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/italy | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 1.96% in Italy. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 0.98% in Italy.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $490K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Italy
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $13M
Chemicals & pharma $4.31M
Raw materials & minerals $1.17M
Animal & marine products $516K
Textiles & consumer goods $297K
Raw agricultural goods $201K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $191K
Metals $150K
Wood & paper products $73K
Miscellaneous $12K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Italy
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$25.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
19/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+1.08%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$562B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$621B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$160B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$155B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
30.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
32.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Italy
Economic freedom 53 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 80/197
Property rights 3.6 84.8
Government integrity 13.5 60.8
Judicial effectiveness 0 80.9
Tax burden 92 57.5
Government spending 90.8 15.3
Fiscal health 98.4 17.2
Business freedom 33.7 74.5
Labor freedom 44.4 70.6
Monetary freedom 84.9 79.1
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 80
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Italy
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Italy
2026 - 63.3
2025 - 60.9
2024 - 60.1
2023 - 62.3
2022 - 65.4
2021 53 64.9
2020 54.7 63.8
2019 51.5 62.2
2018 51.3 62.5
2017 48.9 62.5
2016 - 61.2
2015 - 61.7
2014 - 60.9
2013 - 60.6
2012 - 58.8
2011 - 60.3
2010 - 62.7
2009 - 61.4
2008 - 62.6
2007 - 62.8
2006 - 62
2005 - 64.9
2004 - 64.2
2003 - 64.3
2002 - 63.6
2001 - 63
2000 - 61.9
1999 - 61.6
1998 - 59.1
1997 - 58.1
1996 - 60.8
1995 - 61.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 63.3 for Italy, ranking 80/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Italy
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
65%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
22.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$2.28T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$61,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$291B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
12/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$19B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$26.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$45.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
20.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
22.6%
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/italy | 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 (1862–1989, 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.