Skip to content

Economy of Afghanistan vs Maldives compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $7.06B for Maldives, ranking 137/197 and 159/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $9.41B (133.3% of GDP) in Maldives.

Afghanistan vs Maldives GDP by year

Afghanistan
Maldives
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Maldives
2024 - $7,061,608,267
2023 $17,152,234,637 $6,621,008,704
2022 $14,497,243,872 $6,177,123,352
2021 $14,259,995,441 $5,252,457,370
2020 $19,955,929,052 $3,712,604,583
2019 $18,799,444,490 $5,726,094,799
2018 $18,053,222,687 $5,404,344,163
2017 $18,753,456,498 $4,816,426,257
2016 $18,116,572,395 $4,409,942,624
2015 $19,134,221,645 $4,129,505,319
2014 $20,497,128,556 $3,697,353,039
2013 $20,146,416,758 $3,295,009,238
2012 $19,907,329,778 $2,886,163,997
2011 $17,805,098,206 $2,774,350,240
2010 $15,856,668,556 $2,588,176,055
2009 $12,416,152,732 $2,345,294,875
2008 $10,109,297,048 $2,271,646,188
2007 $9,747,886,187 $1,868,383,461
2006 $6,971,758,282 $1,575,200,391
2005 $6,203,256,539 $1,163,362,438
2004 $5,224,896,719 $1,226,829,563
2003 $4,520,946,819 $1,052,121,055
2002 $3,825,701,439 $897,031,250
2001 $2,813,571,754 $870,031,677
2000 $3,521,418,060 $624,337,145
1999 - $589,239,754
1998 - $540,096,398
1997 - $508,223,602
1996 - $450,382,328
1995 - $398,988,955
1994 - $356,014,932
1993 - $322,417,837
1992 - $284,875,809
1991 - $244,396,762
1990 - $215,043,970
1989 - $189,514,434
1988 - $168,514,513
1987 - $141,223,029
1986 - $141,882,254
1985 - $127,190,758
1984 - $109,503,546
1983 - $57,829,787
1982 - $47,911,340
1981 - $44,781,457
1980 - $42,463,576
1979 - $38,523,364
1978 - $24,369,109
1977 - $20,853,789
1976 - $22,399,467
1975 - $24,540,878
1974 - $39,120,171
1973 - $30,862,042
1972 - $25,177,138
1971 - $21,566,404
1970 - $19,328,038

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Maldives by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Maldives
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $13,379 $26,183
2023 $414 $2,202 $12,588 $24,786
2022 $357 $2,123 $11,786 $22,881
2021 $356 $2,144 $10,176 $19,053
2020 $511 $2,562 $7,394 $13,425
2019 $497 $2,583 $11,740 $23,077
2018 $491 $2,432 $11,423 $21,899
2017 $525 $2,336 $10,510 $19,768
2016 $522 $2,213 $9,948 $18,770
2015 $566 $2,284 $9,645 $17,875
2014 $625 $2,224 $8,939 $16,723
2013 $637 $2,133 $8,236 $15,264
2012 $651 $1,988 $7,461 $13,989
2011 $607 $1,744 $7,425 $13,726
2010 $561 $1,766 $7,174 $12,797
2009 $452 $1,571 $6,734 $12,266
2008 $382 $1,334 $6,757 $13,779
2007 $376 $1,287 $5,758 $12,852
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $5,019 $12,075
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $3,797 $9,704
2004 $221.8 $972 $4,070 $10,770
2003 $198.9 $967 $3,549 $10,065
2002 $179 $927 $3,076 $8,823
2001 $138.7 $748 $3,034 $8,236
2000 $174.9 $814 $2,214 $8,526
1999 - - $2,124 $8,162
1998 - - $1,980 $7,710
1997 - - $1,898 $7,226
1996 - - $1,717 $6,687
1995 - - $1,555 $6,223
1994 - - $1,419 $5,520
1993 - - $1,317 $5,138
1992 - - $1,194 $4,881
1991 - - $1,054 $4,604
1990 - - $957 $4,528
1989 - - $870 -
1988 - - $799 -
1987 - - $692 -
1986 - - $720 -
1985 - - $669 -
1984 - - $594 -
1983 - - $323 -
1982 - - $274.8 -
1981 - - $264.1 -
1980 - - $257.6 -
1979 - - $240.2 -
1978 - - $156.1 -
1977 - - $137.3 -
1976 - - $151.8 -
1975 - - $171.4 -
1974 - - $281.5 -
1973 - - $228.7 -
1972 - - $192.2 -
1971 - - $169.8 -
1970 - - $156.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $13,379 in Maldives, ranking 75/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Maldives
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$7.06B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
159/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
3.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$13,379
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
75/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$26,183
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
81/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$9.41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
133.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$17,837
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
35/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$9,909
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
23.3%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
46.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
1.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.56%
2019
Population
45409324
532057

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Maldives
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Maldives
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 46.1% 133.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 46.7% 122.4%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 42% 111.6%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 40.6% 123.4%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 50.4% 155.7%
2019 28% 6.14% 32.9% 77.2%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 31.9% 70.7%
2017 27.7% 8% 30.4% 63.8%
2016 28% 8.44% 37.3% 61.9%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 33.8% 54.8%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 29.1% 55.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 27% 55.9%
2012 25% 6.77% 29.8% 57.1%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 31.3% 51.9%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 33.2% 52.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 37% 48.4%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 35.6% 39%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 34.8% 35.8%
2006 18.3% 23% 35% 36.8%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 38.8% 43.2%
2004 15.1% 245% 24.1% 34.7%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 26.4% 37.6%
2002 6.94% 346% 29.6% 44.3%
2001 - - 29.6% 41.8%
2000 - - 29% 39%
1999 - - 28% 38.9%
1998 - - 25.9% 39.3%
1997 - - 25.2% 38.1%
1996 - - 27.3% 46.9%
1995 - - 31.3% 52.2%
1994 - - 30.7% 54.6%
1993 - - 34.7% 55.7%
1992 - - 36.1% 49%
1991 - - 37.7% 46.7%
1990 - - 33.3% 42.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Maldives spent $3.25B, or 46.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 133.3% in Maldives, ranking 181/185 and 10/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Maldives
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Maldives
2024 -0.54% -13.9%
2023 -1.33% -13.2%
2022 -1% -11.2%
2021 -0.48% -14.2%
2020 -2.24% -23.7%
2019 -1.06% -6.54%
2018 1.63% -5.17%
2017 -0.67% -3.02%
2016 0.13% -9.93%
2015 -1.38% -6.52%
2014 -1.72% -2.42%
2013 -0.63% -3.49%
2012 0.18% -6.91%
2011 -0.67% -8.13%
2010 0.93% -13.6%
2009 -1.76% -17.9%
2008 -3.86% -9.92%
2007 -2.46% -3.16%
2006 0.68% -4.52%
2005 -0.92% -7.81%
2004 -2.39% -2.26%
2003 -2.1% -3.45%
2002 -0.1% -3.97%
2001 - -3.97%
2000 - -3.89%
1999 - -3.03%
1998 - -2.25%
1997 - -1.46%
1996 - -2.01%
1995 - -5.66%
1994 - -4.82%
1993 - -13.9%
1992 - -12.6%
1991 - -10.2%
1990 - -12.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/maldives | 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 Maldives' deficit of $872M, or 13.2% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Maldives ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 8.22% of GDP for Maldives.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Maldives
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Maldives
2024 -4.3% 1.4%
2023 -7.7% 2.6%
2022 10.6% 2.6%
2021 7.8% 0.2%
2020 5.6% -1.6%
2019 2.3% 1.3%
2018 0.6% 1.4%
2017 5% 2.3%
2016 4.4% 0.8%
2015 -0.7% 1.4%
2014 4.7% 2.4%
2013 7.4% 4%
2012 6.4% 10.9%
2011 11.8% 11.3%
2010 2.2% 6.1%
2009 -6.8% 4.5%
2008 26.4% 12%
2007 8.7% 6.8%
2006 6.8% 3.5%
2005 10.6% 2.5%
2004 16.4% 6.3%
2003 35.7% -2.8%
2002 - 0.9%
2001 - 0.7%
2000 - -1.2%
1999 - 3%
1998 - -1.4%
1997 - 7.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 3.63% in Maldives. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 1.4% in Maldives.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Maldives
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.32B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-18.7%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$3.46B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$383M
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$1.89B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$5.03B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
78.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
78.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Maldives
Economic freedom 53 47.6
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 174/197
Property rights 3.6 52.2
Government integrity 13.5 41.9
Judicial effectiveness 0 39.3
Tax burden 92 89.9
Government spending 90.8 39.5
Fiscal health 98.4 0
Business freedom 33.7 49.7
Labor freedom 44.4 54.1
Monetary freedom 84.9 76.4
Trade freedom 68.6 62.8
Investment freedom 10 35
Financial freedom 10 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Maldives
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Maldives
2026 - 47.6
2025 - 48.3
2024 - 47.8
2023 - 46.6
2022 - 47.3
2021 53 55.2
2020 54.7 56.5
2019 51.5 53.2
2018 51.3 51.1
2017 48.9 50.3
2016 - 53.9
2015 - 53.4
2014 - 51
2013 - 49
2012 - 49.2
2011 - 48.3
2010 - 49
2009 - 51.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 47.6 for Maldives, ranking 174/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Maldives
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
72.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
9.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
3.84%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$6.15B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$23,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$674M
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
150/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$806M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$806M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
7.95%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
15%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
30.8%
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/maldives | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.