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Economy of Afghanistan vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 137/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

Afghanistan vs Nauru GDP by year

Afghanistan
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Nauru
2024 - $162,588,621
2023 $17,152,234,637 $151,435,610
2022 $14,497,243,872 $152,373,434
2021 $14,259,995,441 $175,390,281
2020 $19,955,929,052 $124,685,688
2019 $18,799,444,490 $125,160,116
2018 $18,053,222,687 $130,995,566
2017 $18,753,456,498 $109,355,639
2016 $18,116,572,395 $97,541,943
2015 $19,134,221,645 $84,863,441
2014 $20,497,128,556 $99,149,244
2013 $20,146,416,758 $94,385,015
2012 $19,907,329,778 $101,055,723
2011 $17,805,098,206 $65,071,880
2010 $15,856,668,556 $47,562,845
2009 $12,416,152,732 $44,176,246
2008 $10,109,297,048 $37,602,265
2007 $9,747,886,187 $22,766,972
2006 $6,971,758,282 $29,200,359
2005 $6,203,256,539 $30,070,666
2004 $5,224,896,719 $30,587,566
2003 $4,520,946,819 $24,778,160
2002 $3,825,701,439 $21,017,424
2001 $2,813,571,754 $22,613,288
2000 $3,521,418,060 $26,930,980
1999 - $27,328,613
1998 - $29,664,451
1997 - $37,331,507
1996 - $37,458,801
1995 - $39,969,706
1994 - $39,742,511
1993 - $43,542,088
1992 - $51,133,123
1991 - $52,533,789
1990 - $55,572,376
1989 - $53,736,786
1988 - $45,931,134
1987 - $40,118,410
1986 - $39,939,391
1985 - $41,548,741
1984 - $47,363,231
1983 - $48,439,093
1982 - $52,877,742
1981 - $51,689,637
1980 - $46,947,124
1979 - $44,431,330
1978 - $41,754,147
1977 - $40,444,702
1976 - $40,287,427
1975 - $40,106,776
1974 - $35,994,511
1973 - $26,529,817
1972 - $21,734,269
1971 - $19,009,433
1970 - $17,570,366

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Nauru by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $13,609 $14,173
2023 $414 $2,202 $12,752 $13,732
2022 $357 $2,123 $12,912 $13,245
2021 $356 $2,144 $14,979 $12,112
2020 $511 $2,562 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $497 $2,583 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $491 $2,432 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $525 $2,336 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $522 $2,213 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $566 $2,284 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $625 $2,224 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $637 $2,133 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $651 $1,988 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $607 $1,744 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $561 $1,766 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $452 $1,571 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $382 $1,334 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $376 $1,287 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $221.8 $972 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $198.9 $967 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $179 $927 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $138.7 $748 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $174.9 $814 $2,649 $5,838
1999 - - $2,683 $6,118
1998 - - $2,909 $6,450
1997 - - $3,661 $7,231
1996 - - $3,679 $7,818
1995 - - $3,932 $8,726
1994 - - $3,921 $9,308
1993 - - $4,310 $9,513
1992 - - $5,103 $11,167
1991 - - $5,333 $13,265
1990 - - $5,776 $16,215
1989 - - $5,723 -
1988 - - $5,012 -
1987 - - $4,485 -
1986 - - $4,569 -
1985 - - $4,859 -
1984 - - $5,654 -
1983 - - $5,896 -
1982 - - $6,577 -
1981 - - $6,594 -
1980 - - $6,138 -
1979 - - $5,950 -
1978 - - $5,721 -
1977 - - $5,646 -
1976 - - $5,703 -
1975 - - $5,740 -
1974 - - $5,199 -
1973 - - $3,864 -
1972 - - $3,191 -
1971 - - $2,811 -
1970 - - $2,619 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Nauru
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$163M
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
195/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
119/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$8,783
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
9.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.06%
2021
Population
45409324
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 122.1% 17.4%
2023 17% 8.42% 118.1% 20.5%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 134.8% 22.4%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 93% 20.5%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 28% 6.14% 106% 59.6%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 27.7% 8% 102.3% 78%
2016 28% 8.44% 96% 86.3%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 85.4% 113%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 25% 6.92% 66% 166.9%
2012 25% 6.77% 46% 157.3%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 68% 295.6%
2008 20.9% 19.1% - -
2007 21.4% 20.1% - -
2006 18.3% 23% - -
2005 15.7% 206.4% - -
2004 15.1% 245% - -
2003 11.9% 270.6% - -
2002 6.94% 346% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 181/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Nauru
2024 -0.54% 29.8%
2023 -1.33% 19.4%
2022 -1% 24.3%
2021 -0.48% 44.5%
2020 -2.24% 42.8%
2019 -1.06% 31%
2018 1.63% 29.6%
2017 -0.67% 16.2%
2016 0.13% 18.9%
2015 -1.38% 10.7%
2014 -1.72% 29.6%
2013 -0.63% 1.71%
2012 0.18% 8.12%
2011 -0.67% 2.73%
2010 0.93% 0.09%
2009 -1.76% 0.37%
2008 -3.86% -
2007 -2.46% -
2006 0.68% -
2005 -0.92% -
2004 -2.39% -
2003 -2.1% -
2002 -0.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/nauru | 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 Nauru's surplus of $29.4M, or 19.4% of GDP.

Over the past 15 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.67% of GDP, compared to surplus of 18.7% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Nauru
2024 -4.3% 9.3%
2023 -7.7% 4.8%
2022 10.6% 1.1%
2021 7.8% 2%
2020 5.6% 0.9%
2019 2.3% 4.1%
2018 0.6% 1.1%
2017 5% 4.5%
2016 4.4% 8.1%
2015 -0.7% 9.8%
2014 4.7% 0.3%
2013 7.4% -1.1%
2012 6.4% 0.3%
2011 11.8% -3.4%
2010 2.2% -2%
2009 -6.8% 22.4%
2008 26.4% 1%
2007 8.7% 5.6%
2006 6.8% 19.3%
2005 10.6% 8.7%
2004 16.4% -
2003 35.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.09%, compared with 4.84% in Nauru. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 9.3% in Nauru.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Nauru
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
55.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Nauru
Economic freedom 53 60
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 97/197
Property rights 3.6 n/a
Government integrity 13.5 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 0 n/a
Tax burden 92 n/a
Government spending 90.8 n/a
Fiscal health 98.4 n/a
Business freedom 33.7 n/a
Labor freedom 44.4 n/a
Monetary freedom 84.9 n/a
Trade freedom 68.6 n/a
Investment freedom 10 n/a
Financial freedom 10 n/a

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Nauru
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$21,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
n/a
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
n/a

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/nauru | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2021–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.