Skip to content

Economy of Afghanistan vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 137/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Afghanistan vs Namibia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Namibia
2024 - $13,372,354,512
2023 $17,152,234,637 $12,408,271,449
2022 $14,497,243,872 $12,569,449,123
2021 $14,259,995,441 $12,402,486,184
2020 $19,955,929,052 $10,583,748,542
2019 $18,799,444,490 $12,541,928,303
2018 $18,053,222,687 $13,682,019,076
2017 $18,753,456,498 $12,895,153,371
2016 $18,116,572,395 $10,722,018,732
2015 $19,134,221,645 $11,335,161,084
2014 $20,497,128,556 $12,435,430,970
2013 $20,146,416,758 $12,043,307,277
2012 $19,907,329,778 $13,042,053,592
2011 $17,805,098,206 $12,523,359,441
2010 $15,856,668,556 $11,431,412,421
2009 $12,416,152,732 $8,938,847,189
2008 $10,109,297,048 $8,607,431,497
2007 $9,747,886,187 $8,839,536,476
2006 $6,971,758,282 $8,001,779,551
2005 $6,203,256,539 $7,248,374,838
2004 $5,224,896,719 $6,609,205,995
2003 $4,520,946,819 $4,926,439,384
2002 $3,825,701,439 $3,349,169,826
2001 $2,813,571,754 $3,557,341,215
2000 $3,521,418,060 $3,922,232,165
1999 - $3,868,551,730
1998 - $3,873,109,866
1997 - $4,154,989,950
1996 - $3,989,163,197
1995 - $3,978,514,206
1994 - $3,666,503,530
1993 - $3,251,188,833
1992 - $3,429,521,699
1991 - $2,996,869,281
1990 - $2,789,921,854
1989 - $2,535,135,798
1988 - $2,495,094,746
1987 - $2,300,068,217
1986 - $1,809,048,527
1985 - $1,608,237,350
1984 - $1,951,260,038
1983 - $2,297,400,688
1982 - $2,118,710,248
1981 - $2,249,908,578
1980 - $2,421,990,338

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Namibia by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,413 $11,687
2023 $414 $2,202 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $357 $2,123 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $356 $2,144 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $511 $2,562 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $497 $2,583 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $491 $2,432 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $525 $2,336 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $522 $2,213 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $566 $2,284 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $625 $2,224 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $637 $2,133 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $651 $1,988 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $607 $1,744 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $561 $1,766 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $452 $1,571 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $382 $1,334 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $376 $1,287 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $221.8 $972 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $198.9 $967 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $179 $927 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $138.7 $748 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $174.9 $814 $2,157 $5,129
1999 - - $2,178 $4,961
1998 - - $2,235 $4,852
1997 - - $2,460 $4,764
1996 - - $2,423 $4,612
1995 - - $2,483 $4,509
1994 - - $2,356 $4,376
1993 - - $2,155 $4,345
1992 - - $2,347 $4,452
1991 - - $2,117 $4,192
1990 - - $2,037 $3,875
1989 - - $1,967 -
1988 - - $2,063 -
1987 - - $1,969 -
1986 - - $1,599 -
1985 - - $1,466 -
1984 - - $1,830 -
1983 - - $2,214 -
1982 - - $2,097 -
1981 - - $2,267 -
1980 - - $2,468 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Namibia
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
147/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
128/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
19.9%
2018
Population
45409324
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 17% 8.42% 37% 67.2%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 28% 6.14% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 27.7% 8% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 28% 8.44% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 25% 6.92% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 25% 6.77% 35% 24.6%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 32% 15.9%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 - - 30.7% 24.4%
2000 - - 30.1% 20.9%
1999 - - 31.8% 21.8%
1998 - - 31.3% 19.6%
1997 - - 30.9% 17.7%
1996 - - 30.4% 18.7%
1995 - - 29.6% 18%
1994 - - 28.7% 16.4%
1993 - - 32.4% 17.2%
1992 - - 32.8% 14.1%
1991 - - 33% 11.8%
1990 - - 30.2% 12.9%

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

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 181/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Namibia
2024 -0.54% -3.59%
2023 -1.33% -3.14%
2022 -1% -6.33%
2021 -0.48% -8.68%
2020 -2.24% -8.07%
2019 -1.06% -5.49%
2018 1.63% -5.09%
2017 -0.67% -4.99%
2016 0.13% -9.3%
2015 -1.38% -8.3%
2014 -1.72% -6.44%
2013 -0.63% -4.69%
2012 0.18% -3.1%
2011 -0.67% -7.09%
2010 0.93% -4.98%
2009 -1.76% -0.4%
2008 -3.86% 3.48%
2007 -2.46% 6.01%
2006 0.68% 3.41%
2005 -0.92% -0.31%
2004 -2.39% -2.67%
2003 -2.1% -4.47%
2002 -0.1% -1.38%
2001 - -2.01%
2000 - -0.79%
1999 - -1.88%
1998 - -2.76%
1997 - -2.38%
1996 - -3.7%
1995 - -1.74%
1994 - -0.57%
1993 - -2.73%
1992 - -2.55%
1991 - -1.59%
1990 - 1.08%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $390M, or 3.14% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.73% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Namibia
2024 -4.3% 4.2%
2023 -7.7% 5.9%
2022 10.6% 6.1%
2021 7.8% 3.6%
2020 5.6% 2.2%
2019 2.3% 3.7%
2018 0.6% 4.3%
2017 5% 6.1%
2016 4.4% 6.7%
2015 -0.7% 3.4%
2014 4.7% 5.3%
2013 7.4% 5.6%
2012 6.4% 6.7%
2011 11.8% 5%
2010 2.2% 4.9%
2009 -6.8% 9.5%
2008 26.4% 9.1%
2007 8.7% 6.5%
2006 6.8% 5%
2005 10.6% 2.3%
2004 16.4% 4.1%
2003 35.7% 7.2%
2002 - 12.7%
2001 - 10.2%
2000 - 10.2%
1999 - 9.4%
1998 - 6.6%
1997 - 9.7%

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

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

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 5.34% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $13K
Namibia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Namibia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Namibia
Economic freedom 53 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 95/197
Property rights 3.6 63.1
Government integrity 13.5 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 0 67.2
Tax burden 92 66.4
Government spending 90.8 57.1
Fiscal health 98.4 60.5
Business freedom 33.7 58
Labor freedom 44.4 62.7
Monetary freedom 84.9 76.1
Trade freedom 68.6 69.8
Investment freedom 10 50
Financial freedom 10 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Namibia
2026 - 60.2
2025 - 58.7
2024 - 57.5
2023 - 57.7
2022 - 59.2
2021 53 62.6
2020 54.7 60.9
2019 51.5 58.7
2018 51.3 58.5
2017 48.9 62.5
2016 - 61.9
2015 - 59.6
2014 - 59.4
2013 - 60.3
2012 - 61.9
2011 - 62.7
2010 - 62.2
2009 - 62.4
2008 - 61.4
2007 - 63.5
2006 - 60.7
2005 - 61.4
2004 - 62.4
2003 - 67.3
2002 - 65.1
2001 - 64.8
2000 - 66.7
1999 - 66.1
1998 - 66.1
1997 - 61.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Namibia
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (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 (1997–2026, 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 (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2019, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.