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Economy of Afghanistan vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $264B for New Zealand, ranking 139/197 and 53/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $145B (54.7% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Afghanistan vs New Zealand GDP by year

Afghanistan
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan New Zealand
2025 - $264,057,413,740
2024 $17,778,508,876 $261,497,198,364
2023 $17,152,234,637 $256,372,177,758
2022 $14,497,243,872 $249,723,029,451
2021 $14,259,995,441 $253,732,493,988
2020 $19,955,929,052 $213,318,129,989
2019 $18,799,444,490 $213,088,034,258
2018 $18,053,222,687 $211,726,161,989
2017 $18,753,456,498 $206,561,943,051
2016 $18,116,572,395 $188,980,351,891
2015 $19,134,221,645 $178,147,457,243
2014 $20,497,128,556 $201,435,445,068
2013 $20,146,416,758 $190,943,478,290
2012 $19,907,329,778 $176,508,049,114
2011 $17,805,098,206 $168,458,838,711
2010 $15,856,668,556 $146,887,902,524
2009 $12,416,152,732 $121,663,439,315
2008 $10,109,297,048 $133,437,126,590
2007 $9,747,886,187 $137,188,946,866
2006 $6,971,758,282 $111,538,810,713
2005 $6,203,256,539 $114,720,129,550
2004 $5,224,896,719 $103,905,210,084
2003 $4,520,946,819 $88,250,885,550
2002 $3,825,701,439 $66,627,729,311
2001 $2,813,571,754 $53,872,425,917
2000 $3,521,418,060 $52,623,281,957
1999 - $58,762,260,626
1998 - $56,227,169,851
1997 - $66,075,143,415
1996 - $70,140,835,299
1995 - $63,918,703,507
1994 - $55,314,732,279
1993 - $46,775,620,817
1992 - $41,649,829,860
1991 - $42,745,329,732
1990 - $45,495,129,385
1989 - $43,920,222,525
1988 - $45,176,811,594
1987 - $40,376,354,070
1986 - $30,604,668,357
1985 - $24,679,795,396
1984 - $21,665,975,319
1983 - $24,309,279,706
1982 - $24,164,603,059
1981 - $24,417,617,184
1980 - $23,244,547,385
1979 - $20,731,243,113
1978 - $18,530,518,395
1977 - $15,446,825,318
1976 - $13,604,832,424
1975 - $12,861,983,284
1974 - $13,940,981,798
1973 - $12,802,281,898
1972 - $9,567,331,065
1971 - $7,911,136,757
1970 - $6,495,605,331
1969 - $5,814,357,709
1968 - $5,228,045,415
1967 - $6,016,017,227
1966 - $5,917,437,693
1965 - $5,706,251,400
1964 - $7,340,766,415
1963 - $6,699,741,645
1962 - $6,133,158,532
1961 - $5,721,994,864
1960 - $5,536,098,360

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs New Zealand by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $49,591 -
2024 $417 - $49,432 $55,551
2023 $414 $2,202 $49,302 $54,697
2022 $357 $2,123 $49,142 $54,034
2021 $356 $2,144 $49,902 $48,249
2020 $511 $2,562 $42,055 $45,513
2019 $497 $2,583 $42,872 $45,278
2018 $491 $2,432 $43,204 $42,527
2017 $525 $2,336 $42,912 $42,244
2016 $522 $2,213 $40,088 $39,989
2015 $566 $2,284 $38,649 $37,513
2014 $625 $2,224 $44,600 $37,331
2013 $637 $2,133 $42,985 $36,263
2012 $651 $1,988 $40,042 $33,055
2011 $607 $1,744 $38,426 $32,739
2010 $561 $1,766 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $452 $1,571 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $382 $1,334 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $376 $1,287 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $221.8 $972 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $198.9 $967 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $179 $927 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $138.7 $748 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $174.9 $814 $13,641 $21,500
1999 - - $15,322 $20,579
1998 - - $14,738 $19,323
1997 - - $17,474 $19,100
1996 - - $18,794 $18,392
1995 - - $17,400 $17,864
1994 - - $15,280 $17,108
1993 - - $13,094 $15,900
1992 - - $11,793 $14,877
1991 - - $12,230 $14,501
1990 - - $13,663 $14,812
1989 - - $13,312 -
1988 - - $13,759 -
1987 - - $12,331 -
1986 - - $9,428 -
1985 - - $7,601 -
1984 - - $6,714 -
1983 - - $7,598 -
1982 - - $7,656 -
1981 - - $7,814 -
1980 - - $7,467 -
1979 - - $6,668 -
1978 - - $5,937 -
1977 - - $4,951 -
1976 - - $4,374 -
1975 - - $4,172 -
1974 - - $4,611 -
1973 - - $4,323 -
1972 - - $3,295 -
1971 - - $2,773 -
1970 - - $2,311 -
1969 - - $2,097 -
1968 - - $1,902 -
1967 - - $2,208 -
1966 - - $2,211 -
1965 - - $2,171 -
1964 - - $2,839 -
1963 - - $2,646 -
1962 - - $2,471 -
1961 - - $2,365 -
1960 - - $2,334 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/new-zealand | CC BY

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $49,591 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$264B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
53/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
0.46%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$49,591
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
26/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
38/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$145B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
54.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$27,139
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
27/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$36,222
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$103B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
41.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
2.84%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.26%
2025
Population
45682388
5380024

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 41.6% 54.7%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 41.7% 51.4%
2023 17% 8.25% 41% 47.3%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 41.7% 46.9%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 41.8% 47.5%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 41.9% 43.2%
2019 28% 6.14% 38.7% 31.8%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 27.7% 8% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 28% 8.44% 36.4% 33.4%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 37.6% 34.2%
2013 25% 6.9% 38.6% 34.6%
2012 25% 6.76% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 42.3% 34.7%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 38.4% 19%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 37% 16.3%
2006 18.3% 23% 37.8% 18.4%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 15.1% 245% 36.1% 22.5%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 36.6% 24.7%
2002 6.94% 346% 36.7% 26.4%
2001 - - 37.2% 28.2%
2000 - - 38.2% 30%
1999 - - 39.2% 32%
1998 - - 40.1% 34.5%
1997 - - 39.3% 34.6%
1996 - - 39.8% 37.3%
1995 - - 41.6% 43.5%
1994 - - 42.7% 48.9%
1993 - - 46.7% 54.6%
1992 - - 52.4% 58.7%
1991 - - 52.9% 58%
1990 - - 49.5% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $110B, or 41.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 54.7% in New Zealand, ranking 181/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan New Zealand
2025 -0.89% -3.86%
2024 -0.55% -3.21%
2023 -1.33% -3.22%
2022 -1% -3.96%
2021 -0.48% -3.35%
2020 -2.24% -4.21%
2019 -1.06% -2.44%
2018 1.63% 1.31%
2017 -0.67% 1.38%
2016 0.13% 0.98%
2015 -1.38% 0.37%
2014 -1.72% -0.33%
2013 -0.63% -1.28%
2012 0.18% -2.18%
2011 -0.67% -4.94%
2010 0.93% -5.49%
2009 -1.76% -1.8%
2008 -3.86% 1.48%
2007 -2.46% 3.6%
2006 0.68% 4.62%
2005 -0.92% 5.13%
2004 -2.39% 4.49%
2003 -2.1% 3.69%
2002 -0.1% 2.56%
2001 - 1.29%
2000 - 0.18%
1999 - -1.1%
1998 - -0.47%
1997 - 1.24%
1996 - 2.58%
1995 - 3.7%
1994 - 2%
1993 - -1.51%
1992 - -6.25%
1991 - -6.12%
1990 - -2.72%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/new-zealand | 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 New Zealand's deficit of $8.39B, or 3.21% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.3% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan New Zealand
2025 2.9% 2.84%
2024 -4.3% 2.92%
2023 -7.7% 5.73%
2022 10.6% 7.17%
2021 7.8% 3.94%
2020 5.6% 1.71%
2019 2.3% 1.62%
2018 0.6% 1.6%
2017 5% 1.85%
2016 4.4% 0.65%
2015 -0.7% 0.29%
2014 4.7% 1.23%
2013 7.4% 1.13%
2012 6.4% 1.06%
2011 11.8% 4.03%
2010 2.2% 2.3%
2009 -6.8% 2.12%
2008 26.4% 3.96%
2007 8.7% 2.38%
2006 6.8% 3.37%
2005 10.6% 3.04%
2004 16.4% 2.29%
2003 35.7% 1.75%
2002 - 2.68%
2001 - 2.63%
2000 - 2.62%
1999 - -0.11%
1998 - 1.27%
1997 - 1.19%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 2.56% in New Zealand. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 2.84% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $500K
Government & miscellaneous services $500K
Metals $31K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Raw materials & minerals $6K
Wood & paper products $4K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan New Zealand
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$9.56B
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
174/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-3.62%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$48.2B
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$47.2B
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$20.3B
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$19.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan New Zealand
Economic freedom 53 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 13/197
Property rights 3.6 85.4
Government integrity 13.5 90
Judicial effectiveness 0 95.9
Tax burden 92 66.1
Government spending 90.8 48
Fiscal health 98.4 72.2
Business freedom 33.7 89.1
Labor freedom 44.4 68.6
Monetary freedom 84.9 77.4
Trade freedom 68.6 90.6
Investment freedom 10 70
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan New Zealand
2026 - 77.8
2025 - 78.1
2024 - 77.8
2023 - 78.9
2022 - 80.6
2021 53 83.9
2020 54.7 84.1
2019 51.5 84.4
2018 51.3 84.2
2017 48.9 83.7
2016 - 81.6
2015 - 82.1
2014 - 81.2
2013 - 81.4
2012 - 82.1
2011 - 82.3
2010 - 82.1
2009 - 82
2008 - 80.7
2007 - 81.4
2006 - 82
2005 - 82.3
2004 - 81.5
2003 - 81.1
2002 - 80.7
2001 - 81.1
2000 - 80.9
1999 - 81.7
1998 - 79.2
1997 - 79
1996 - 78.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/new-zealand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 77.8 for New Zealand, ranking 13/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
68.2%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
19.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
4.01%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$248B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$53,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$28.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
59/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$3.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$882M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
23.1%
2024

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/new-zealand | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.