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Economy of Afghanistan vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $1.21T for the Netherlands, ranking 137/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $532B (43.8% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Afghanistan vs Netherlands GDP by year

Afghanistan
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Netherlands
2024 - $1,214,927,698,573
2023 $17,152,234,637 $1,135,475,867,551
2022 $14,497,243,872 $1,046,540,797,549
2021 $14,259,995,441 $1,054,472,123,450
2020 $19,955,929,052 $932,560,861,701
2019 $18,799,444,490 $928,903,005,576
2018 $18,053,222,687 $929,733,599,797
2017 $18,753,456,498 $848,233,537,846
2016 $18,116,572,395 $797,163,949,290
2015 $19,134,221,645 $775,743,675,303
2014 $20,497,128,556 $901,556,501,756
2013 $20,146,416,758 $883,951,539,007
2012 $19,907,329,778 $845,689,017,066
2011 $17,805,098,206 $913,140,741,333
2010 $15,856,668,556 $852,464,982,433
2009 $12,416,152,732 $878,954,223,140
2008 $10,109,297,048 $957,901,566,041
2007 $9,747,886,187 $853,499,460,873
2006 $6,971,758,282 $737,593,995,289
2005 $6,203,256,539 $688,133,699,636
2004 $5,224,896,719 $661,224,886,143
2003 $4,520,946,819 $582,435,617,082
2002 $3,825,701,439 $475,529,972,123
2001 $2,813,571,754 $432,536,219,669
2000 $3,521,418,060 $417,649,282,154
1999 - $447,778,514,140
1998 - $438,612,530,549
1997 - $417,506,211,882
1996 - $451,372,549,020
1995 - $452,967,334,614
1994 - $379,688,232,232
1993 - $354,070,495,966
1992 - $363,497,050,125
1991 - $327,982,316,124
1990 - $318,799,003,994
1989 - $258,716,904,292
1988 - $262,295,966,105
1987 - $245,406,949,521
1986 - $201,157,708,221
1985 - $144,057,523,222
1984 - $144,124,462,912
1983 - $153,671,294,109
1982 - $158,712,765,536
1981 - $164,375,775,854
1980 - $195,439,301,707
1979 - $179,933,827,310
1978 - $156,089,077,205
1977 - $127,203,923,857
1976 - $109,329,386,564
1975 - $100,397,061,694
1974 - $87,371,810,804
1973 - $71,946,639,603
1972 - $54,787,070,173
1971 - $44,644,730,576
1970 - $38,220,884,519
1969 - $34,086,038,090
1968 - $30,097,635,751
1967 - $27,143,828,099
1966 - $24,741,480,717
1965 - $22,721,869,808
1964 - $20,232,048,553
1963 - $17,193,744,109
1962 - $15,847,582,341
1961 - $14,599,836,396
1960 - $13,282,979,015

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Netherlands by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $67,520 $86,174
2023 $414 $2,202 $63,516 $81,729
2022 $357 $2,123 $59,123 $78,630
2021 $356 $2,144 $60,142 $68,574
2020 $511 $2,562 $53,468 $62,597
2019 $497 $2,583 $53,555 $62,345
2018 $491 $2,432 $53,955 $58,819
2017 $525 $2,336 $49,514 $56,038
2016 $522 $2,213 $46,809 $53,162
2015 $566 $2,284 $45,794 $50,957
2014 $625 $2,224 $53,457 $49,751
2013 $637 $2,133 $52,602 $49,622
2012 $651 $1,988 $50,474 $47,653
2011 $607 $1,744 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $561 $1,766 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $452 $1,571 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $382 $1,334 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $376 $1,287 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $221.8 $972 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $198.9 $967 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $179 $927 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $138.7 $748 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $174.9 $814 $26,225 $31,895
1999 - - $28,319 $29,316
1998 - - $27,924 $27,749
1997 - - $26,745 $26,062
1996 - - $29,064 $24,564
1995 - - $29,301 $23,480
1994 - - $24,683 $22,414
1993 - - $23,156 $21,443
1992 - - $23,939 $20,831
1991 - - $21,764 $20,177
1990 - - $21,322 $19,203
1989 - - $17,423 -
1988 - - $17,771 -
1987 - - $16,734 -
1986 - - $13,804 -
1985 - - $9,941 -
1984 - - $9,992 -
1983 - - $10,696 -
1982 - - $11,089 -
1981 - - $11,537 -
1980 - - $13,812 -
1979 - - $12,817 -
1978 - - $11,196 -
1977 - - $9,180 -
1976 - - $7,937 -
1975 - - $7,346 -
1974 - - $6,450 -
1973 - - $5,353 -
1972 - - $4,110 -
1971 - - $3,384 -
1970 - - $2,931 -
1969 - - $2,647 -
1968 - - $2,364 -
1967 - - $2,155 -
1966 - - $1,986 -
1965 - - $1,848 -
1964 - - $1,668 -
1963 - - $1,437 -
1962 - - $1,342 -
1961 - - $1,254 -
1960 - - $1,156 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $67,520 in the Netherlands, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$1.21T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
19/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
1.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$67,520
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
13/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
11/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$532B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
43.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$29,571
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
24/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$47,815
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,267,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
44.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
3.35%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.64%
2024
Population
45409324
18252623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 44.4% 43.8%
2023 17% 8.42% 44% 45.9%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 43.3% 48.4%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 45.9% 50.5%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 47.8% 53.4%
2019 28% 6.14% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 27.7% 8% 42.8% 56%
2016 28% 8.44% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 25% 6.92% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 25% 6.77% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 18.3% 23% 44% 45%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 15.1% 245% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 6.94% 346% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 - - 44.1% 49.4%
2000 - - 43.2% 52.2%
1999 - - 44.3% 58.6%
1998 - - 44.6% 62.7%
1997 - - 45.7% 65.7%
1996 - - 47.3% 71.2%
1995 - - 53.9% 73%
1994 - - 49.4% 73.5%
1993 - - 50.9% 76.7%
1992 - - 50.2% 75.6%
1991 - - 49.6% 74.8%
1990 - - 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $540B, or 44.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 43.8% in the Netherlands, ranking 181/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Netherlands
2024 -0.54% -0.94%
2023 -1.33% -0.37%
2022 -1% 0.002%
2021 -0.48% -2.26%
2020 -2.24% -3.72%
2019 -1.06% 1.91%
2018 1.63% 1.49%
2017 -0.67% 1.35%
2016 0.13% 0.23%
2015 -1.38% -1.84%
2014 -1.72% -2.17%
2013 -0.63% -2.87%
2012 0.18% -3.83%
2011 -0.67% -4.42%
2010 0.93% -5.3%
2009 -1.76% -5.06%
2008 -3.86% -0.06%
2007 -2.46% -0.16%
2006 0.68% 0.04%
2005 -0.92% -0.51%
2004 -2.39% -1.82%
2003 -2.1% -3.19%
2002 -0.1% -2.23%
2001 - -0.47%
2000 - 1.14%
1999 - 0.28%
1998 - -1.34%
1997 - -1.6%
1996 - -1.91%
1995 - -8.72%
1994 - -3.53%
1993 - -3.13%
1992 - -3.12%
1991 - -2.05%
1990 - -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/netherlands | 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 the Netherlands' deficit of $4.21B, or 0.37% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.58% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Netherlands
2024 -4.3% 3.35%
2023 -7.7% 3.84%
2022 10.6% 10%
2021 7.8% 2.68%
2020 5.6% 1.27%
2019 2.3% 2.63%
2018 0.6% 1.7%
2017 5% 1.38%
2016 4.4% 0.32%
2015 -0.7% 0.6%
2014 4.7% 0.98%
2013 7.4% 2.51%
2012 6.4% 2.46%
2011 11.8% 2.34%
2010 2.2% 1.28%
2009 -6.8% 1.19%
2008 26.4% 2.49%
2007 8.7% 1.61%
2006 6.8% 1.1%
2005 10.6% 1.69%
2004 16.4% 1.26%
2003 35.7% 2.09%
2002 - 3.29%
2001 - 4.16%
2000 - 2.36%
1999 - 2.16%
1998 - 1.96%
1997 - 2.11%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.22% in the Netherlands. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 3.35% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $146K
Textiles & consumer goods $119K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
Animal & marine products $5K
Metals $1K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.63M
Chemicals & pharma $7.54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.13M
Animal & marine products $3.21M
Raw materials & minerals $1.4M
Raw agricultural goods $1.39M
Weapons & explosives $953K
Miscellaneous $421K
Textiles & consumer goods $296K
Wood & paper products $150K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Netherlands
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+9.13%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$693B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$262B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
71.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
82.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Netherlands
Economic freedom 53 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 11/197
Property rights 3.6 96
Government integrity 13.5 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 0 96.1
Tax burden 92 54
Government spending 90.8 42.2
Fiscal health 98.4 95.9
Business freedom 33.7 85
Labor freedom 44.4 59.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 77
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 90
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Netherlands
2026 - 78.5
2025 - 78.2
2024 - 77.3
2023 - 78
2022 - 79.5
2021 53 76.8
2020 54.7 77
2019 51.5 76.8
2018 51.3 76.2
2017 48.9 75.8
2016 - 74.6
2015 - 73.7
2014 - 74.2
2013 - 73.5
2012 - 73.3
2011 - 74.7
2010 - 75
2009 - 77
2008 - 77.4
2007 - 75.5
2006 - 75.4
2005 - 72.9
2004 - 74.5
2003 - 74.6
2002 - 75.1
2001 - 73
2000 - 70.4
1999 - 70.2
1998 - 69.2
1997 - 70.4
1996 - 69.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Netherlands
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
70.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
17.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
1.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$1.12T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$84,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$79.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
34/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
19.7%
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/netherlands | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.