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Economy of Afghanistan vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 137/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

Afghanistan vs Latvia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Latvia
2024 - $43,684,254,432
2023 $17,152,234,637 $42,779,550,937
2022 $14,497,243,872 $38,003,198,509
2021 $14,259,995,441 $38,183,326,785
2020 $19,955,929,052 $33,379,927,435
2019 $18,799,444,490 $33,099,503,951
2018 $18,053,222,687 $33,247,935,477
2017 $18,753,456,498 $29,391,059,767
2016 $18,116,572,395 $27,117,105,060
2015 $19,134,221,645 $26,344,565,877
2014 $20,497,128,556 $30,277,203,767
2013 $20,146,416,758 $29,152,128,168
2012 $19,907,329,778 $27,116,149,949
2011 $17,805,098,206 $26,575,547,901
2010 $15,856,668,556 $23,468,324,572
2009 $12,416,152,732 $25,691,530,442
2008 $10,109,297,048 $34,135,200,994
2007 $9,747,886,187 $29,420,499,248
2006 $6,971,758,282 $20,434,922,247
2005 $6,203,256,539 $16,306,935,905
2004 $5,224,896,719 $13,827,070,379
2003 $4,520,946,819 $11,244,337,720
2002 $3,825,701,439 $9,249,030,241
2001 $2,813,571,754 $8,190,888,740
2000 $3,521,418,060 $7,761,252,607
1999 - $7,324,192,890
1998 - $6,974,112,951
1997 - $6,349,481,007
1996 - $5,799,465,288
1995 - $5,608,208,785

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Latvia by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $23,409 $43,394
2023 $414 $2,202 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $357 $2,123 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $356 $2,144 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $511 $2,562 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $497 $2,583 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $491 $2,432 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $525 $2,336 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $522 $2,213 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $566 $2,284 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $625 $2,224 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $637 $2,133 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $651 $1,988 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $607 $1,744 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $561 $1,766 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $452 $1,571 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $382 $1,334 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $376 $1,287 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $221.8 $972 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $198.9 $967 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $179 $927 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $138.7 $748 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $174.9 $814 $3,278 $7,849
1999 - - $3,064 $7,256
1998 - - $2,894 $6,922
1997 - - $2,610 $6,366
1996 - - $2,360 $5,688
1995 - - $2,257 $5,391
1994 - - - $5,012
1993 - - - $4,722
1992 - - - $4,760
1991 - - - $6,762
1990 - - - $7,448

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Latvia
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
99/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
53/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$17,033
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
6.88%
2024
Population
45409324
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 44.5% 46.8%
2023 17% 8.42% 43.1% 44.6%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 43.5% 44.4%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 42.6% 44%
2019 28% 6.14% 39% 37.9%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 27.7% 8% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 28% 8.44% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 25% 6.77% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 34.8% 9%
2006 18.3% 23% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 15.1% 245% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 6.94% 346% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 - - 35% 17.8%
2000 - - 37% 15.1%
1999 - - 40.4% 14.8%
1998 - - 38.1% 9.81%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 181/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Latvia
2024 -0.54% -1.82%
2023 -1.33% -3.38%
2022 -1% -3.94%
2021 -0.48% -5.71%
2020 -2.24% -3.85%
2019 -1.06% -0.39%
2018 1.63% -0.77%
2017 -0.67% -0.85%
2016 0.13% -0.41%
2015 -1.38% -1.57%
2014 -1.72% -1.74%
2013 -0.63% -0.58%
2012 0.18% 0.18%
2011 -0.67% -3.38%
2010 0.93% -6.56%
2009 -1.76% -7.14%
2008 -3.86% -3.29%
2007 -2.46% 0.63%
2006 0.68% -0.48%
2005 -0.92% -1.06%
2004 -2.39% -1.04%
2003 -2.1% -1.67%
2002 -0.1% -2.59%
2001 - -2.03%
2000 - -2.57%
1999 - -3.54%
1998 - -0.66%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/latvia | 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 Latvia's deficit of $1.45B, or 3.38% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.25% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Latvia
2024 -4.3% 1.27%
2023 -7.7% 8.94%
2022 10.6% 17.3%
2021 7.8% 3.28%
2020 5.6% 0.22%
2019 2.3% 2.81%
2018 0.6% 2.53%
2017 5% 2.93%
2016 4.4% 0.14%
2015 -0.7% 0.17%
2014 4.7% 0.62%
2013 7.4% -0.03%
2012 6.4% 2.26%
2011 11.8% 4.37%
2010 2.2% -1.08%
2009 -6.8% 3.53%
2008 26.4% 15.4%
2007 8.7% 10.1%
2006 6.8% 6.54%
2005 10.6% 6.75%
2004 16.4% 6.19%
2003 35.7% 2.94%
2002 - 1.94%
2001 - 2.49%
2000 - 2.65%
1999 - 2.36%
1998 - 4.64%
1997 - 8.45%

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/latvia | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 4.42% in Latvia. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 1.27% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Latvia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $299K
Chemicals & pharma $248K
Machinery & equipment $117K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Latvia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Latvia
Economic freedom 53 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 31/197
Property rights 3.6 88.8
Government integrity 13.5 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 0 70.9
Tax burden 92 70.9
Government spending 90.8 42.7
Fiscal health 98.4 80.8
Business freedom 33.7 80.7
Labor freedom 44.4 60.5
Monetary freedom 84.9 76.3
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 80
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Latvia
2026 - 71.6
2025 - 71.4
2024 - 71.5
2023 - 72.8
2022 - 74.8
2021 53 72.3
2020 54.7 71.9
2019 51.5 70.4
2018 51.3 73.6
2017 48.9 74.8
2016 - 70.4
2015 - 69.7
2014 - 68.7
2013 - 66.5
2012 - 65.2
2011 - 65.8
2010 - 66.2
2009 - 66.6
2008 - 68.3
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 66.9
2005 - 66.3
2004 - 67.4
2003 - 66
2002 - 65
2001 - 66.4
2000 - 63.4
1999 - 64.2
1998 - 63.4
1997 - 62.4
1996 - 55

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Latvia
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$257M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
20.9%
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/latvia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.