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Economy of Afghanistan vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $4.44T for Japan, ranking 139/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $9.16T (206.5% of GDP) in Japan.

Afghanistan vs Japan GDP by year

Afghanistan
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Japan
2025 - $4,435,162,999,977
2024 $17,778,508,876 $4,190,008,188,359
2023 $17,152,234,637 $4,384,854,269,962
2022 $14,497,243,872 $4,447,976,207,315
2021 $14,259,995,441 $5,225,933,520,753
2020 $19,955,929,052 $5,189,197,543,645
2019 $18,799,444,490 $5,245,755,000,479
2018 $18,053,222,687 $5,154,293,721,630
2017 $18,753,456,498 $5,038,231,631,661
2016 $18,116,572,395 $5,110,357,383,254
2015 $19,134,221,645 $4,534,438,580,495
2014 $20,497,128,556 $4,985,763,289,561
2013 $20,146,416,758 $5,272,297,037,397
2012 $19,907,329,778 $6,333,803,928,788
2011 $17,805,098,206 $6,279,422,550,219
2010 $15,856,668,556 $5,811,578,109,447
2009 $12,416,152,732 $5,336,765,697,589
2008 $10,109,297,048 $5,160,197,175,876
2007 $9,747,886,187 $4,624,670,179,655
2006 $6,971,758,282 $4,648,058,930,707
2005 $6,203,256,539 $4,875,648,486,366
2004 $5,224,896,719 $4,941,485,123,807
2003 $4,520,946,819 $4,573,413,206,709
2002 $3,825,701,439 $4,245,946,980,572
2001 $2,813,571,754 $4,438,792,748,062
2000 $3,521,418,060 $5,042,381,838,343
1999 - $4,688,983,449,627
1998 - $4,150,359,076,370
1997 - $4,579,780,793,432
1996 - $5,021,441,618,840
1995 - $5,639,649,753,986
1994 - $5,104,063,486,348
1993 - $4,632,480,515,091
1992 - $4,064,529,567,505
1991 - $3,724,887,648,862
1990 - $3,252,994,239,867
1989 - $3,174,934,735,896
1988 - $3,191,546,727,316
1987 - $2,635,094,473,494
1986 - $2,164,729,071,349
1985 - $1,457,070,301,468
1984 - $1,374,165,212,365
1983 - $1,297,622,008,229
1982 - $1,183,132,285,328
1981 - $1,271,443,597,067
1980 - $1,153,159,955,513
1979 - $1,100,608,979,757
1978 - $1,057,419,758,047
1977 - $752,590,681,822
1976 - $611,495,350,304
1975 - $544,082,569,364
1974 - $500,355,087,138
1973 - $450,756,970,744
1972 - $331,776,379,992
1971 - $250,530,994,765
1970 - $221,798,003,144
1969 - $188,179,852,753
1968 - $160,201,483,788
1967 - $135,265,319,098
1966 - $115,427,351,851
1965 - $99,387,878,008
1964 - $89,332,989,729
1963 - $75,945,582,324
1962 - $66,356,388,224
1961 - $58,472,696,006
1960 - $48,417,804,545

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Japan by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $35,951 -
2024 $417 - $33,797 $52,039
2023 $414 $2,202 $35,215 $50,662
2022 $357 $2,123 $35,548 $47,192
2021 $356 $2,144 $41,581 $44,355
2020 $511 $2,562 $41,099 $42,426
2019 $497 $2,583 $41,425 $42,678
2018 $491 $2,432 $40,645 $42,142
2017 $525 $2,336 $39,680 $41,444
2016 $522 $2,213 $40,215 $40,597
2015 $566 $2,284 $35,665 $40,899
2014 $625 $2,224 $39,173 $39,555
2013 $637 $2,133 $41,369 $39,402
2012 $651 $1,988 $49,627 $37,606
2011 $607 $1,744 $49,122 $36,214
2010 $561 $1,766 $45,378 $35,336
2009 $452 $1,571 $41,678 $33,543
2008 $382 $1,334 $40,294 $35,274
2007 $376 $1,287 $36,130 $35,015
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $36,354 $33,632
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $38,159 $32,170
2004 $221.8 $972 $38,678 $30,832
2003 $198.9 $967 $35,809 $29,392
2002 $179 $927 $33,316 $28,624
2001 $138.7 $748 $34,910 $27,943
2000 $174.9 $814 $39,753 $27,288
1999 - - $37,029 $25,736
1998 - - $32,835 $25,508
1997 - - $36,331 $25,619
1996 - - $39,930 $24,999
1995 - - $44,947 $23,858
1994 - - $40,774 $22,823
1993 - - $37,111 $22,168
1992 - - $32,667 $21,825
1991 - - $30,048 $21,227
1990 - - $26,345 $19,912
1989 - - $25,798 -
1988 - - $26,037 -
1987 - - $21,587 -
1986 - - $17,819 -
1985 - - $12,058 -
1984 - - $11,443 -
1983 - - $10,876 -
1982 - - $9,986 -
1981 - - $10,806 -
1980 - - $9,872 -
1979 - - $9,497 -
1978 - - $9,202 -
1977 - - $6,609 -
1976 - - $5,422 -
1975 - - $4,876 -
1974 - - $4,542 -
1973 - - $4,147 -
1972 - - $3,095 -
1971 - - $2,370 -
1970 - - $2,145 -
1969 - - $1,841 -
1968 - - $1,586 -
1967 - - $1,354 -
1966 - - $1,168 -
1965 - - $1,015 -
1964 - - $922 -
1963 - - $792 -
1962 - - $699 -
1961 - - $622 -
1960 - - $519 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $35,951 in Japan, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Japan
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$4.44T
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
4/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
1.19%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$35,951
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
34/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
41/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$9.16T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
206.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$74,248
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
3/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$22,962
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.61T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,902,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.3%
2020
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
36.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
3.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
2.5%
2025
Population
45682388
122704252

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Japan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Japan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 36.9% 206.5%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 37.3% 214.5%
2023 17% 8.25% 37.8% 220.3%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 40.2% 227.8%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 41.3% 222.7%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 43.6% 228.8%
2019 28% 6.14% 36.4% 206.3%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 36% 203.7%
2017 27.7% 8% 35.9% 203.1%
2016 28% 8.44% 36.5% 202.1%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 36.6% 200.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 37.8% 203.6%
2013 25% 6.9% 38.4% 201.2%
2012 25% 6.76% 38.4% 197.1%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 38.4% 190.6%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 37.4% 178.6%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 38.3% 172.9%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 33.7% 153.6%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 32.8% 150.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 32.7% 152.1%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 33.2% 153.4%
2004 15.1% 245% 33.3% 148.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 34.6% 140.2%
2002 6.94% 346% 34.9% 134.6%
2001 - - 34.7% 126.8%
2000 - - 35.4% 118.5%
1999 - - 35.2% 113.5%
1998 - - 38.1% 101.6%
1997 - - 32.4% 91.3%
1996 - - 33.1% 85.3%
1995 - - 32.8% 80.7%
1994 - - 32.1% 73.3%
1993 - - 31.4% 63.2%
1992 - - 29.6% 57.9%
1991 - - 28.6% 54.1%
1990 - - 28.8% 54.8%
1989 - - 29.2% 65.7%
1988 - - 29.9% 71.9%
1987 - - 30.6% 75.8%
1986 - - 30.4% 74.1%
1985 - - 30.4% 68.3%
1984 - - 31.2% 65.6%
1983 - - 31.8% 63.5%
1982 - - 31.7% 57.7%
1981 - - 31.5% 52.8%
1980 - - 33.5% 47.8%
1979 - - 33.2% 43.8%
1978 - - 32.1% 39%
1977 - - 30.4% 31.1%
1976 - - 29.1% 26.1%
1975 - - 28.5% 20.9%
1974 - - 25.5% 16.7%
1973 - - 23.3% 15.9%
1972 - - 23.1% 16.3%
1971 - - 21.8% 12.6%
1970 - - 20.2% 11.2%
1969 - - 19.8% 11.4%
1968 - - 20.1% 11.8%
1967 - - 19.9% 11.4%
1966 - - 20.8% 11.2%
1965 - - 20.4% 9.78%
1964 - - 19.8% 8.53%
1963 - - 20% 8.66%
1962 - - 19.4% 9.01%
1961 - - 18.2% 8.44%
1960 - - 18.4% 10.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.63T, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 206.5% in Japan, ranking 181/185 and 3/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Japan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Japan
2025 -0.89% -1.05%
2024 -0.55% -1.67%
2023 -1.33% -2.39%
2022 -1% -4.23%
2021 -0.48% -6.32%
2020 -2.24% -9.04%
2019 -1.06% -3.05%
2018 1.63% -2.44%
2017 -0.67% -3.05%
2016 0.13% -3.58%
2015 -1.38% -3.64%
2014 -1.72% -5.58%
2013 -0.63% -7.62%
2012 0.18% -8.22%
2011 -0.67% -9.02%
2010 0.93% -9.05%
2009 -1.76% -9.62%
2008 -3.86% -4.07%
2007 -2.46% -2.86%
2006 0.68% -3%
2005 -0.92% -4.39%
2004 -2.39% -5.26%
2003 -2.1% -7.35%
2002 -0.1% -7.22%
2001 - -6.11%
2000 - -7.17%
1999 - -6.68%
1998 - -9.91%
1997 - -3.44%
1996 - -4.75%
1995 - -4.22%
1994 - -3.7%
1993 - -2.34%
1992 - 0.56%
1991 - 1.64%
1990 - 1.91%
1989 - 1.23%
1988 - 0.49%
1987 - -0.36%
1986 - -1.36%
1985 - -1.37%
1984 - -2.62%
1983 - -3.95%
1982 - -3.81%
1981 - -3.85%
1980 - -4.66%
1979 - -5%
1978 - -5.79%
1977 - -4.02%
1976 - -3.89%
1975 - -2.92%
1974 - 0.38%
1973 - 0.56%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - 1.21%
1970 - 1.74%
1969 - 1.26%
1968 - 0.88%
1967 - 0.8%
1966 - -0.34%
1965 - 0.48%
1964 - 0.85%
1963 - 1.08%
1962 - 1.49%
1961 - 2.58%
1960 - 1.85%
1959 - 0.97%
1958 - -0.1%
1957 - 1.27%
1956 - 1.39%
1955 - -0.67%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.65%
1952 - 2.22%
1951 - 5.06%
1950 - 6.99%
1949 - 12.5%
1948 - 7.53%
1947 - 6.09%
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - 0.32%
1942 - -0.13%
1941 - -0.19%
1940 - 0.31%
1939 - 0.11%
1938 - 0.45%
1937 - 0.71%
1936 - 0.34%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.34%
1933 - 0.28%
1932 - 0.31%
1931 - 0.23%
1930 - 0.19%
1929 - 0.5%
1928 - 0.42%
1927 - 0.58%
1926 - 0.65%
1925 - 0.75%
1924 - 0.84%
1923 - 0.87%
1922 - 0.89%
1921 - 1.43%
1920 - 1.19%
1919 - 1.21%
1918 - 1.58%
1917 - 1.54%
1916 - 1.37%
1915 - 1.41%
1914 - 1.31%
1913 - 1.21%
1912 - 1.27%
1911 - 1.21%
1910 - 1.57%
1909 - 1.51%
1908 - 1.63%
1907 - 1.77%
1906 - 0.46%
1905 - -0.68%
1904 - -0.81%
1903 - 0.19%
1902 - 0.44%
1901 - 0.21%
1900 - 0.53%
1899 - 0.2%
1898 - 0.6%
1897 - 0.33%
1896 - 0.88%
1895 - 0.28%
1894 - -0.24%
1893 - 0.6%
1892 - 0.63%
1891 - 0.61%
1890 - 0.74%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - 0.13%
1887 - 0.11%
1886 - 0.03%
1885 - 0.01%
1884 - 0.001%
1883 - 0.03%
1882 - 0.001%
1881 - 0.001%
1880 - 0.004%
1879 - 0.02%
1878 - 0.02%
1877 - -0.29%
1876 - -0.42%
1875 - 0.005%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/japan | 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 Japan's deficit of $69.9B, or 1.67% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.33% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Japan
2025 2.9% 3.17%
2024 -4.3% 2.74%
2023 -7.7% 3.27%
2022 10.6% 2.5%
2021 7.8% -0.23%
2020 5.6% -0.02%
2019 2.3% 0.47%
2018 0.6% 0.99%
2017 5% 0.48%
2016 4.4% -0.13%
2015 -0.7% 0.8%
2014 4.7% 2.76%
2013 7.4% 0.34%
2012 6.4% -0.04%
2011 11.8% -0.27%
2010 2.2% -0.73%
2009 -6.8% -1.35%
2008 26.4% 1.38%
2007 8.7% 0.06%
2006 6.8% 0.25%
2005 10.6% -0.28%
2004 16.4% -0.009%
2003 35.7% -0.26%
2002 - -0.92%
2001 - -0.74%
2000 - -0.68%
1999 - -0.34%
1998 - 0.66%
1997 - 1.75%

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/japan | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 0.69% in Japan. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 3.17% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.36M
Miscellaneous $1.08M
Chemicals & pharma $1.01M
Raw materials & minerals $691K
Textiles & consumer goods $601K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $81K
Wood & paper products $41K
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Metals $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Japan
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$216B
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
3/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+4.86%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$729B
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$725B
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$269B
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$246B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
22.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
22%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Japan
Economic freedom 53 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 36/197
Property rights 3.6 94.2
Government integrity 13.5 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 0 97.9
Tax burden 92 63
Government spending 90.8 52
Fiscal health 98.4 41.7
Business freedom 33.7 77.8
Labor freedom 44.4 65.9
Monetary freedom 84.9 74.3
Trade freedom 68.6 76.2
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Japan
2026 - 70.3
2025 - 70.2
2024 - 67.5
2023 - 69.3
2022 - 69.9
2021 53 74.1
2020 54.7 73.3
2019 51.5 72.1
2018 51.3 72.3
2017 48.9 69.6
2016 - 73.1
2015 - 73.3
2014 - 72.4
2013 - 71.8
2012 - 71.6
2011 - 72.8
2010 - 72.9
2009 - 72.8
2008 - 73
2007 - 72.7
2006 - 73.3
2005 - 67.3
2004 - 64.3
2003 - 67.6
2002 - 66.7
2001 - 70.9
2000 - 70.7
1999 - 69.1
1998 - 70.2
1997 - 70.3
1996 - 72.6
1995 - 75

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Japan
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
71.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
26.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
0.96%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$4.73T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$58,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$1.37T
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
3/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$172B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$18.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$207B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
27.7%
2024

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/japan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2025, 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.