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Economy of Afghanistan vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $48.6B for Latvia, ranking 139/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (46.9% of GDP) in Latvia.

Afghanistan vs Latvia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Latvia
2025 - $48,618,869,160
2024 $17,778,508,876 $44,001,275,013
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 (1995–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 - - $26,312 -
2024 $417 - $23,579 $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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $26,312 in Latvia, ranking 51/197. 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
$17.8B
2024
$48.6B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
99/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
2.14%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$26,312
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
51/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
53/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$22.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
46.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$12,353
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
50/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$16,702
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
20%
2025
45.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
3.75%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
6.9%
2025
Population
45682388
1826986

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
2025 20% 7.98% 45.4% 46.9%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 44% 46.2%
2023 17% 8.25% 42.9% 44.4%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 43.6% 44.4%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 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% 6.9% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 25% 6.76% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 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 (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $22.1B, or 45.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 46.9% in Latvia, ranking 181/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Latvia
2025 -0.89% -4.05%
2024 -0.55% -1.72%
2023 -1.33% -3.36%
2022 -1% -3.95%
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 (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/latvia | 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 Latvia's deficit of $758M, or 1.72% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Latvia
2025 2.9% 3.75%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 4.39% in Latvia. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 3.75% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Latvia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $471K
Animal & marine products $299K
Machinery & equipment $139K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Latvia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.64B
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
133/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-3.38%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$25.6B
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$21.1B
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$7.07B
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$9.33B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
67.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
62.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
45.2%
2024
64.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
4.01%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$46.1B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$45,740
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$6.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
95/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$72.5M
2025
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
0.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
24.1%
2025

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/latvia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2019–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.