Skip to content

Economy of Afghanistan vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $30.1B for Mali, ranking 139/197 and 114/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $12.6B (41.9% of GDP) in Mali.

Afghanistan vs Mali GDP by year

Afghanistan
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Mali
2025 - $30,069,148,581
2024 $17,778,508,876 $26,761,281,077
2023 $17,152,234,637 $24,777,941,861
2022 $14,497,243,872 $22,539,987,719
2021 $14,259,995,441 $22,999,245,263
2020 $19,955,929,052 $20,698,560,939
2019 $18,799,444,490 $20,477,421,885
2018 $18,053,222,687 $20,368,015,381
2017 $18,753,456,498 $18,308,362,040
2016 $18,116,572,395 $16,743,796,800
2015 $19,134,221,645 $15,583,181,170
2014 $20,497,128,556 $17,081,681,993
2013 $20,146,416,758 $15,747,192,681
2012 $19,907,329,778 $14,795,114,603
2011 $17,805,098,206 $15,452,791,789
2010 $15,856,668,556 $12,710,739,160
2009 $12,416,152,732 $12,155,217,833
2008 $10,109,297,048 $11,462,490,840
2007 $9,747,886,187 $9,699,047,443
2006 $6,971,758,282 $8,212,007,554
2005 $6,203,256,539 $7,429,066,952
2004 $5,224,896,719 $6,485,774,930
2003 $4,520,946,819 $5,605,613,011
2002 $3,825,701,439 $4,647,238,257
2001 $2,813,571,754 $4,124,281,594
2000 $3,521,418,060 $3,521,570,876
1999 - $4,091,446,054
1998 - $3,894,433,432
1997 - $3,414,879,486
1996 - $3,743,103,420
1995 - $3,373,322,735
1994 - $2,655,768,636
1993 - $3,632,801,877
1992 - $3,680,775,037
1991 - $3,576,562,682
1990 - $3,248,417,791
1989 - $2,824,822,489
1988 - $2,712,207,901
1987 - $2,437,004,680
1986 - $2,132,938,007
1985 - $1,594,347,021
1984 - $1,387,809,615
1983 - $1,496,616,127
1982 - $1,680,304,773
1981 - $2,234,583,940
1980 - $2,704,362,789
1979 - $1,595,422,956
1978 - $1,222,702,573
1977 - $1,049,838,548
1976 - $939,228,017
1975 - $830,710,615
1974 - $538,747,340
1973 - $563,683,703
1972 - $486,617,280
1971 - $395,218,629
1970 - $359,772,315
1969 - $339,913,867
1968 - $343,771,973
1967 - $275,494,478

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Mali by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $1,193 -
2024 $417 - $1,093 $3,315
2023 $414 $2,202 $1,042 $3,175
2022 $357 $2,123 $977 $3,014
2021 $356 $2,144 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $511 $2,562 $953 $2,724
2019 $497 $2,583 $972 $2,820
2018 $491 $2,432 $996 $2,684
2017 $525 $2,336 $924 $2,607
2016 $522 $2,213 $872 $2,532
2015 $566 $2,284 $838 $2,330
2014 $625 $2,224 $948 $2,185
2013 $637 $2,133 $902 $2,059
2012 $651 $1,988 $873 $1,990
2011 $607 $1,744 $938 $2,046
2010 $561 $1,766 $797 $2,012
2009 $452 $1,571 $787 $1,945
2008 $382 $1,334 $767 $1,893
2007 $376 $1,287 $671 $1,852
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $587 $1,832
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $549 $1,771
2004 $221.8 $972 $495 $1,730
2003 $198.9 $967 $442 $1,715
2002 $179 $927 $378 $1,581
2001 $138.7 $748 $346 $1,559
2000 $174.9 $814 $305 $1,357
1999 - - $364 $1,376
1998 - - $357 $1,332
1997 - - $321 $1,267
1996 - - $360 $1,224
1995 - - $331 $1,154
1994 - - $266.5 $1,147
1993 - - $372 $1,087
1992 - - $385 $1,039
1991 - - $382 $1,091
1990 - - $354 $956
1989 - - $314 -
1988 - - $307 -
1987 - - $280.7 -
1986 - - $250 -
1985 - - $190.4 -
1984 - - $169.1 -
1983 - - $186.3 -
1982 - - $213.8 -
1981 - - $290.5 -
1980 - - $359 -
1979 - - $216.3 -
1978 - - $169.1 -
1977 - - $148.1 -
1976 - - $134.9 -
1975 - - $121.5 -
1974 - - $80.2 -
1973 - - $85.4 -
1972 - - $75.1 -
1971 - - $62 -
1970 - - $57.3 -
1969 - - $55 -
1968 - - $56.5 -
1967 - - $46 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $1,193 in Mali, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Mali
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$30.1B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
114/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
5.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$1,193
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
174/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
174/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$12.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
41.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$500
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
168/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$1,949
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.5%
2024
Population
45682388
26322576

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 20.9% 41.9%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 21% 44%
2023 17% 8.25% 21.2% 44.3%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 20.8% 42.9%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 22.5% 43.2%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 22% 39.8%
2019 28% 6.14% 19.5% 34.3%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 17% 31.4%
2017 27.7% 8% 19.2% 30.1%
2016 28% 8.44% 18.6% 30.1%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 17.6% 25.8%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 16.8% 22.6%
2013 25% 6.9% 16.6% 22.2%
2012 25% 6.76% 13.1% 21.3%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 17.3% 20.1%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 17.4% 21.8%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 19.6% 18.8%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 16.2% 17.3%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 18.1% 15.6%
2006 18.3% 23% 18.9% 15.4%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 18.3% 39.5%
2004 15.1% 245% 18.5% 36.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 17.8% 37.7%
2002 6.94% 346% 16.8% 36%
2001 - - 15.7% 66.3%
2000 - - 16.5% 77%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.29B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 41.9% in Mali, ranking 181/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Mali
2025 -0.89% -1.59%
2024 -0.55% -2.16%
2023 -1.33% -3.05%
2022 -1% -4.05%
2021 -0.48% -4.12%
2020 -2.24% -4.56%
2019 -1.06% -1.42%
2018 1.63% -3.97%
2017 -0.67% -2.4%
2016 0.13% -3.3%
2015 -1.38% -1.53%
2014 -1.72% -2.43%
2013 -0.63% -1.99%
2012 0.18% -0.8%
2011 -0.67% -2.87%
2010 0.93% -2.21%
2009 -1.76% -3.19%
2008 -3.86% -1.69%
2007 -2.46% -2.35%
2006 0.68% 23.7%
2005 -0.92% -2.34%
2004 -2.39% -2.01%
2003 -2.1% -1.01%
2002 -0.1% -2.61%
2001 - -2.39%
2000 - -2.25%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $579M, or 2.16% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.41% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Mali
2025 2.9% 2.3%
2024 -4.3% 3.2%
2023 -7.7% 2.1%
2022 10.6% 9.7%
2021 7.8% 3.8%
2020 5.6% 0.5%
2019 2.3% -3%
2018 0.6% 1.9%
2017 5% 2.4%
2016 4.4% -1.8%
2015 -0.7% 1.4%
2014 4.7% 0.9%
2013 7.4% -0.6%
2012 6.4% 5.3%
2011 11.8% 3%
2010 2.2% 1.2%
2009 -6.8% 2.4%
2008 26.4% 9.2%
2007 8.7% 1.4%
2006 6.8% 1.6%
2005 10.6% 6.4%
2004 16.4% -3.1%
2003 35.7% -1.3%
2002 - 5%
2001 - 5.2%
2000 - -0.8%
1999 - -1.2%
1998 - 4.1%
1997 - -0.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 2.13% in Mali. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 2.3% in Mali.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Mali
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.16B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
122/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-4.33%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$5.49B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$5.48B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$1.8B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$516M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
26.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
22.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Mali
Economic freedom 53 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 150/197
Property rights 3.6 13.8
Government integrity 13.5 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 0 23.3
Tax burden 92 67.9
Government spending 90.8 81.8
Fiscal health 98.4 73.6
Business freedom 33.7 40.8
Labor freedom 44.4 54.1
Monetary freedom 84.9 78.2
Trade freedom 68.6 64
Investment freedom 10 65
Financial freedom 10 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Mali
2026 - 52.1
2025 - 52.6
2024 - 52.5
2023 - 54.5
2022 - 55.9
2021 53 55.6
2020 54.7 55.9
2019 51.5 58.1
2018 51.3 57.6
2017 48.9 58.6
2016 - 56.5
2015 - 56.4
2014 - 55.5
2013 - 56.4
2012 - 55.8
2011 - 56.3
2010 - 55.6
2009 - 55.6
2008 - 55.6
2007 - 54.7
2006 - 54.1
2005 - 57.3
2004 - 56.6
2003 - 58.6
2002 - 61.1
2001 - 60.1
2000 - 60.3
1999 - 58.4
1998 - 57.3
1997 - 56.4
1996 - 57
1995 - 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Mali
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
23.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
33%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$28.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$3,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
n/a
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$843M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
20%
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/mali | 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 (1967–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.