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Economy of Afghanistan vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $120B for Kenya, ranking 137/197 and 64/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $81B (67.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Afghanistan vs Kenya GDP by year

Afghanistan
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Kenya
2024 - $120,339,557,906
2023 $17,152,234,637 $107,500,884,685
2022 $14,497,243,872 $114,448,978,153
2021 $14,259,995,441 $109,703,658,905
2020 $19,955,929,052 $100,657,505,751
2019 $18,799,444,490 $100,378,436,207
2018 $18,053,222,687 $92,202,979,985
2017 $18,753,456,498 $82,036,510,877
2016 $18,116,572,395 $74,815,144,164
2015 $19,134,221,645 $70,120,446,897
2014 $20,497,128,556 $68,285,796,514
2013 $20,146,416,758 $61,671,440,408
2012 $19,907,329,778 $56,396,704,672
2011 $17,805,098,206 $46,869,473,151
2010 $15,856,668,556 $45,405,615,064
2009 $12,416,152,732 $42,347,217,913
2008 $10,109,297,048 $35,895,153,328
2007 $9,747,886,187 $31,958,195,182
2006 $6,971,758,282 $25,825,512,284
2005 $6,203,256,539 $18,737,895,513
2004 $5,224,896,719 $16,095,337,094
2003 $4,520,946,819 $14,904,517,650
2002 $3,825,701,439 $13,147,736,899
2001 $2,813,571,754 $12,986,007,426
2000 $3,521,418,060 $12,705,350,098
1999 - $12,896,010,459
1998 - $14,093,998,844
1997 - $13,115,764,358
1996 - $12,045,865,396
1995 - $9,046,320,255
1994 - $7,148,148,564
1993 - $5,751,786,643
1992 - $8,209,120,763
1991 - $8,151,488,783
1990 - $8,572,359,038
1989 - $8,283,114,514
1988 - $8,355,380,879
1987 - $7,970,820,369
1986 - $7,239,126,568
1985 - $6,135,034,214
1984 - $6,191,437,070
1983 - $5,979,198,314
1982 - $6,431,579,357
1981 - $6,854,491,706
1980 - $7,265,315,820
1979 - $6,234,391,113
1978 - $5,303,735,111
1977 - $4,494,378,764
1976 - $3,474,542,392
1975 - $3,259,345,083
1974 - $2,969,958,812
1973 - $2,509,001,324
1972 - $2,107,279,157
1971 - $1,778,391,289
1970 - $1,603,447,359
1969 - $1,458,379,417
1968 - $1,353,295,459
1967 - $1,232,559,507
1966 - $1,164,519,674
1965 - $997,919,321
1964 - $998,759,334
1963 - $926,589,349
1962 - $868,111,401
1961 - $792,959,473
1960 - $791,265,459

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Kenya by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $2,132 $6,644
2023 $414 $2,202 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $357 $2,123 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $356 $2,144 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $511 $2,562 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $497 $2,583 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $491 $2,432 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $525 $2,336 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $522 $2,213 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $566 $2,284 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $625 $2,224 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $637 $2,133 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $651 $1,988 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $607 $1,744 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $561 $1,766 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $452 $1,571 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $382 $1,334 $916 $2,459
2007 $376 $1,287 $840 $2,481
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $700 $2,330
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $523 $2,189
2004 $221.8 $972 $464 $2,066
2003 $198.9 $967 $443 $1,975
2002 $179 $927 $403 $1,940
2001 $138.7 $748 $411 $1,961
2000 $174.9 $814 $415 $1,907
1999 - - $434 $1,910
1998 - - $488 $1,895
1997 - - $467 $1,865
1996 - - $441 $1,875
1995 - - $340 $1,818
1994 - - $276.4 $1,754
1993 - - $229 $1,723
1992 - - $337 $1,728
1991 - - $345 $1,756
1990 - - $374 $1,729
1989 - - $374 -
1988 - - $391 -
1987 - - $387 -
1986 - - $364 -
1985 - - $320 -
1984 - - $334 -
1983 - - $335 -
1982 - - $374 -
1981 - - $413 -
1980 - - $454 -
1979 - - $403 -
1978 - - $355 -
1977 - - $311 -
1976 - - $248.9 -
1975 - - $241.2 -
1974 - - $227.2 -
1973 - - $198.6 -
1972 - - $172.6 -
1971 - - $150.9 -
1970 - - $141 -
1969 - - $133.3 -
1968 - - $128.7 -
1967 - - $121.9 -
1966 - - $119.8 -
1965 - - $106.9 -
1964 - - $111.3 -
1963 - - $107.4 -
1962 - - $104.6 -
1961 - - $99.3 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $2,132 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Kenya
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$120B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
64/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
4.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$2,132
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
154/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
149/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$81B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
67.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$1,436
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
133/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$3,229
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$15B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
23.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
4.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
9.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.44%
2022
Population
45409324
58955623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 23.3% 67.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 22.7% 73.4%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 23.2% 67.8%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 24% 68.2%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 24.8% 68%
2019 28% 6.14% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 27.7% 8% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 28% 8.44% 25.4% 50.4%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 25% 6.92% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 25% 6.77% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 20.3% 36%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 18.3% 23% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 15.1% 245% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 16% 43.8%
2002 6.94% 346% 15.7% 42%
2001 - - 14.9% 41.3%
2000 - - 14.1% 43.1%
1999 - - 13.7% 38.4%
1998 - - 15.3% 38.5%
1997 - - 15.6% 36%
1996 - - 15.2% 40.5%
1995 - - 17.3% 52.1%
1994 - - 18.8% 57%
1993 - - 18.9% 61.6%
1992 - - 17.6% 41.2%
1991 - - 16.4% 43%
1990 - - 17.2% 37.6%
1989 - - 16.3% 33.4%
1988 - - 15.9% 33.9%
1987 - - 15.5% 36.3%
1986 - - 15.3% 31.3%
1985 - - 15.6% 28.8%
1984 - - 14.9% 25.6%
1983 - - 14.6% 26.1%
1982 - - 16.2% 26.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $28B, or 23.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 67.3% in Kenya, ranking 181/185 and 64/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Kenya
2024 -0.54% -5.77%
2023 -1.33% -5.71%
2022 -1% -6.06%
2021 -0.48% -7.2%
2020 -2.24% -8.13%
2019 -1.06% -7.42%
2018 1.63% -6.94%
2017 -0.67% -7.4%
2016 0.13% -7.47%
2015 -1.38% -6.68%
2014 -1.72% -5.75%
2013 -0.63% -5.25%
2012 0.18% -5.29%
2011 -0.67% -3.64%
2010 0.93% -3.67%
2009 -1.76% -3.12%
2008 -3.86% -1.95%
2007 -2.46% -0.95%
2006 0.68% -0.43%
2005 -0.92% -0.19%
2004 -2.39% 0.5%
2003 -2.1% -0.73%
2002 -0.1% -1.29%
2001 - -0.53%
2000 - 0.38%
1999 - 0.84%
1998 - -0.03%
1997 - -0.91%
1996 - -0.49%
1995 - -0.23%
1994 - -4.14%
1993 - -8.57%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -6.56%
1990 - -3.28%
1989 - -2.39%
1988 - -1.97%
1987 - -2.27%
1986 - -2.98%
1985 - -3.05%
1984 - -2.55%
1983 - -2.17%
1982 - -3.07%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/kenya | 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 Kenya's deficit of $6.14B, or 5.71% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.31% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Kenya
2024 -4.3% 4.49%
2023 -7.7% 7.67%
2022 10.6% 7.66%
2021 7.8% 6.11%
2020 5.6% 5.41%
2019 2.3% 5.24%
2018 0.6% 4.69%
2017 5% 8.01%
2016 4.4% 6.3%
2015 -0.7% 6.58%
2014 4.7% 6.88%
2013 7.4% 5.72%
2012 6.4% 9.38%
2011 11.8% 14%
2010 2.2% 3.96%
2009 -6.8% 9.23%
2008 26.4% 26.2%
2007 8.7% 9.76%
2006 6.8% 14.5%
2005 10.6% 10.3%
2004 16.4% 11.6%
2003 35.7% 9.82%
2002 - 1.96%
2001 - 5.74%
2000 - 9.98%
1999 - 5.74%
1998 - 6.72%
1997 - 11.4%

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/kenya | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 8.8% in Kenya. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 4.49% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Kenya
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $9.41M
Machinery & equipment $429K
Chemicals & pharma $306K
Textiles & consumer goods $81K
Wood & paper products $32K
Raw materials & minerals $28K
Animal & marine products $11K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
Metals $3K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Kenya
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
134/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
23.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
17.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Kenya
Economic freedom 53 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 128/197
Property rights 3.6 40.2
Government integrity 13.5 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 0 47
Tax burden 92 76.3
Government spending 90.8 84.1
Fiscal health 98.4 36.2
Business freedom 33.7 61.5
Labor freedom 44.4 56.5
Monetary freedom 84.9 75.1
Trade freedom 68.6 52
Investment freedom 10 55
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Kenya
2026 - 55.5
2025 - 54.8
2024 - 53.6
2023 - 52.5
2022 - 52.6
2021 53 54.9
2020 54.7 55.3
2019 51.5 55.1
2018 51.3 54.7
2017 48.9 53.5
2016 - 57.5
2015 - 55.6
2014 - 57.1
2013 - 55.9
2012 - 57.5
2011 - 57.4
2010 - 57.5
2009 - 58.7
2008 - 59.3
2007 - 59.6
2006 - 59.7
2005 - 57.9
2004 - 57.7
2003 - 58.6
2002 - 58.2
2001 - 57.6
2000 - 59.7
1999 - 58.2
1998 - 58.4
1997 - 60.1
1996 - 56.4
1995 - 54.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Kenya
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
55.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$118B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$6,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$10.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
75/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
4.79%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
16.8%
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/kenya | CC BY

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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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.