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Economy of Afghanistan vs Mongolia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $23.8B for Mongolia, ranking 137/197 and 121/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $10.5B (44.1% of GDP) in Mongolia.

Afghanistan vs Mongolia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Mongolia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Mongolia
2024 - $23,794,540,025
2023 $17,152,234,637 $20,325,121,394
2022 $14,497,243,872 $17,146,471,714
2021 $14,259,995,441 $15,286,441,738
2020 $19,955,929,052 $13,312,981,429
2019 $18,799,444,490 $14,206,359,018
2018 $18,053,222,687 $13,178,094,720
2017 $18,753,456,498 $11,480,847,741
2016 $18,116,572,395 $11,181,350,649
2015 $19,134,221,645 $11,619,892,591
2014 $20,497,128,556 $12,226,514,668
2013 $20,146,416,758 $12,582,122,604
2012 $19,907,329,778 $12,292,770,632
2011 $17,805,098,206 $10,409,797,378
2010 $15,856,668,556 $7,189,481,999
2009 $12,416,152,732 $4,583,850,368
2008 $10,109,297,048 $5,623,216,608
2007 $9,747,886,187 $4,234,999,704
2006 $6,971,758,282 $3,414,055,662
2005 $6,203,256,539 $2,523,471,601
2004 $5,224,896,719 $1,992,066,808
2003 $4,520,946,819 $1,595,297,356
2002 $3,825,701,439 $1,396,555,720
2001 $2,813,571,754 $1,267,997,934
2000 $3,521,418,060 $1,136,896,124
1999 - $1,057,408,589
1998 - $1,124,440,205
1997 - $1,180,934,203
1996 - $1,345,719,472
1995 - $1,452,165,005
1994 - $925,817,092
1993 - $768,401,634
1992 - $1,317,611,864
1991 - $2,379,018,326
1990 - $2,560,785,660
1989 - $3,576,966,800
1988 - $3,204,461,567
1987 - $3,020,611,600
1986 - $2,896,178,867
1985 - $2,186,505,475
1984 - $2,098,734,600
1983 - $2,725,736,633
1982 - $2,552,401,933
1981 - $2,310,099,100
1980 - $2,101,394,100

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Mongolia by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mongolia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Mongolia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $6,751 $19,145
2023 $414 $2,202 $5,839 $18,005
2022 $357 $2,123 $4,994 $16,402
2021 $356 $2,144 $4,518 $14,792
2020 $511 $2,562 $4,001 $13,693
2019 $497 $2,583 $4,348 $13,605
2018 $491 $2,432 $4,108 $12,317
2017 $525 $2,336 $3,646 $11,096
2016 $522 $2,213 $3,620 $10,511
2015 $566 $2,284 $3,839 $10,458
2014 $625 $2,224 $4,126 $10,900
2013 $637 $2,133 $4,340 $10,442
2012 $651 $1,988 $4,329 $10,152
2011 $607 $1,744 $3,736 $8,862
2010 $561 $1,766 $2,625 $7,532
2009 $452 $1,571 $1,703 $7,119
2008 $382 $1,334 $2,127 $7,297
2007 $376 $1,287 $1,628 $6,678
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $1,330 $5,977
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $995 $5,406
2004 $221.8 $972 $794 $4,942
2003 $198.9 $967 $643 $4,399
2002 $179 $927 $570 $4,083
2001 $138.7 $748 $524 $3,889
2000 $174.9 $814 $476 $3,740
1999 - - $449 $3,664
1998 - - $484 $3,555
1997 - - $515 $3,449
1996 - - $596 $3,310
1995 - - $653 $3,229
1994 - - $423 $3,021
1993 - - $355 $2,929
1992 - - $608 $2,951
1991 - - $1,099 $3,183
1990 - - $1,220 $3,479
1989 - - $1,684 -
1988 - - $1,543 -
1987 - - $1,493 -
1986 - - $1,469 -
1985 - - $1,138 -
1984 - - $1,120 -
1983 - - $1,490 -
1982 - - $1,430 -
1981 - - $1,325 -
1980 - - $1,235 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $6,751 in Mongolia, ranking 105/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Mongolia ranks 98th at $19,145.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Mongolia
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$23.8B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
121/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
5.12%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$6,751
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
105/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$19,145
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
98/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$10.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
44.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$2,974
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
101/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$5,311
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
37.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
6.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
12%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.81%
2024
Population
45409324
3620317

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Mongolia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Mongolia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 37.5% 44.1%
2023 17% 8.42% 31.9% 46.7%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 33.7% 64.6%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 35.9% 67.4%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 37.1% 83.4%
2019 28% 6.14% 30.8% 66.8%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 28.4% 76.5%
2017 27.7% 8% 32.2% 86.9%
2016 28% 8.44% 39.7% 78.7%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 31.2% 50.5%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 32.1% 44%
2013 25% 6.92% 32.2% 49.4%
2012 25% 6.77% 36.1% 43.7%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 37.9% 32.7%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 31.6% 31%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 35.5% 48.5%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 37.6% 31%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 35.3% 36.1%
2006 18.3% 23% 26.2% 40.9%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 25.1% 55.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 31.8% 75%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 33.7% 90%
2002 6.94% 346% 35.5% 72%
2001 - - 35.2% 69.2%
2000 - - 34.5% 79.3%
1999 - - 33.2% 103.7%
1998 - - 36.2% 77.5%
1997 - - 30.8% 61%
1996 - - 28.6% 49.7%
1995 - - 26.6% 40.2%
1994 - - 32.2% 57.6%
1993 - - 38.3% 57.8%
1992 - - 29.1% 29.3%
1991 - - 46% -
1990 - - 51.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Mongolia spent $8.92B, or 37.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 44.1% in Mongolia, ranking 181/185 and 122/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Mongolia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Mongolia
2024 -0.54% 1.39%
2023 -1.33% 2.73%
2022 -1% 0.67%
2021 -0.48% -3.05%
2020 -2.24% -9.24%
2019 -1.06% 1%
2018 1.63% 2.85%
2017 -0.67% -3.72%
2016 0.13% -15.3%
2015 -1.38% -5.04%
2014 -1.72% -3.73%
2013 -0.63% -0.93%
2012 0.18% -6.24%
2011 -0.67% -4.01%
2010 0.93% 0.43%
2009 -1.76% -5.2%
2008 -3.86% -4.52%
2007 -2.46% 2.64%
2006 0.68% 7.58%
2005 -0.92% 2.43%
2004 -2.39% -1.62%
2003 -2.1% -3.38%
2002 -0.1% -4.74%
2001 - -4.33%
2000 - -5.82%
1999 - -9.91%
1998 - -12.3%
1997 - -8.09%
1996 - -6.88%
1995 - -4.97%
1994 - -9.74%
1993 - -13.3%
1992 - -8.1%
1991 - -6.37%
1990 - -9.37%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/mongolia | 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 Mongolia's surplus of $555M, or 2.73% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Mongolia ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.29% of GDP for Mongolia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Mongolia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Mongolia
2024 -4.3% 6.2%
2023 -7.7% 10.4%
2022 10.6% 15.1%
2021 7.8% 7.4%
2020 5.6% 3.7%
2019 2.3% 7.3%
2018 0.6% 6.8%
2017 5% 4.3%
2016 4.4% 0.8%
2015 -0.7% 6.8%
2014 4.7% 12.9%
2013 7.4% 10.6%
2012 6.4% 13.8%
2011 11.8% 8.8%
2010 2.2% 8.3%
2009 -6.8% 7.6%
2008 26.4% 28%
2007 8.7% 9.6%
2006 6.8% 4.4%
2005 10.6% 12.6%
2004 16.4% 8.3%
2003 35.7% 5.2%
2002 - 0.9%
2001 - 6.4%
2000 - 11.3%
1999 - 7.6%
1998 - 9.5%
1997 - 30%

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

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

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 9.04% in Mongolia. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 6.2% in Mongolia.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Mongolia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$2.49B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
149/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-10.4%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$14.7B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$4.92B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$1.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
69.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
68.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Mongolia
Economic freedom 53 63.9
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 76/197
Property rights 3.6 49.2
Government integrity 13.5 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 0 54.9
Tax burden 92 83.7
Government spending 90.8 64.6
Fiscal health 98.4 96.1
Business freedom 33.7 68.4
Labor freedom 44.4 68.2
Monetary freedom 84.9 72.1
Trade freedom 68.6 74.4
Investment freedom 10 50
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Mongolia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Mongolia
2026 - 63.9
2025 - 62.6
2024 - 60.6
2023 - 61.7
2022 - 63.9
2021 53 62.4
2020 54.7 55.9
2019 51.5 55.4
2018 51.3 55.7
2017 48.9 54.8
2016 - 59.4
2015 - 59.2
2014 - 58.9
2013 - 61.7
2012 - 61.5
2011 - 59.5
2010 - 60
2009 - 62.8
2008 - 63.6
2007 - 60.3
2006 - 62.4
2005 - 59.7
2004 - 56.5
2003 - 57.7
2002 - 56.7
2001 - 56
2000 - 58.5
1999 - 58.6
1998 - 57.3
1997 - 52.9
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 63.9 for Mongolia, ranking 76/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Mongolia
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
44.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
38.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$19B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$17,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$5.51B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
95/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$2.73B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.78B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$55.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
25.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
27.1%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
35.5%
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/mongolia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.