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Economy of Afghanistan vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $484B for Norway, ranking 137/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $207B (42.7% of GDP) in Norway.

Afghanistan vs Norway GDP by year

Afghanistan
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Norway
2024 - $483,592,648,313
2023 $17,152,234,637 $482,949,731,777
2022 $14,497,243,872 $596,297,651,036
2021 $14,259,995,441 $503,367,986,030
2020 $19,955,929,052 $367,633,418,887
2019 $18,799,444,490 $408,742,840,909
2018 $18,053,222,687 $439,788,625,884
2017 $18,753,456,498 $401,745,275,035
2016 $18,116,572,395 $370,956,547,619
2015 $19,134,221,645 $388,159,512,246
2014 $20,497,128,556 $501,736,471,833
2013 $20,146,416,758 $526,014,468,085
2012 $19,907,329,778 $512,777,309,841
2011 $17,805,098,206 $501,360,549,669
2010 $15,856,668,556 $431,052,143,940
2009 $12,416,152,732 $387,976,400,617
2008 $10,109,297,048 $464,917,553,191
2007 $9,747,886,187 $402,643,260,488
2006 $6,971,758,282 $346,915,160,682
2005 $6,203,256,539 $309,978,579,744
2004 $5,224,896,719 $265,268,662,473
2003 $4,520,946,819 $229,385,469,337
2002 $3,825,701,439 $195,914,852,576
2001 $2,813,571,754 $174,239,354,071
2000 $3,521,418,060 $171,457,201,936
1999 - $162,383,706,021
1998 - $154,230,295,158
1997 - $161,356,631,888
1996 - $163,520,109,151
1995 - $152,029,612,325
1994 - $127,131,319,429
1993 - $120,579,213,713
1992 - $130,838,040,068
1991 - $121,872,464,483
1990 - $119,791,843,060
1989 - $102,633,934,391
1988 - $101,900,260,856
1987 - $94,229,907,236
1986 - $78,693,118,044
1985 - $65,416,879,914
1984 - $62,057,955,033
1983 - $61,627,240,831
1982 - $62,647,195,538
1981 - $63,596,654,761
1980 - $64,439,382,896
1979 - $53,132,244,624
1978 - $46,522,900,254
1977 - $41,508,030,431
1976 - $35,942,270,686
1975 - $32,877,805,200
1974 - $27,145,693,810
1973 - $22,534,253,703
1972 - $17,358,610,850
1971 - $14,583,114,840
1970 - $12,814,123,115
1969 - $11,136,187,440
1968 - $10,227,087,165
1967 - $9,577,383,653
1966 - $8,753,940,267
1965 - $8,111,945,661
1964 - $7,206,522,122
1963 - $6,553,269,536
1962 - $6,107,076,929
1961 - $5,669,689,210
1960 - $5,197,398,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Norway by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $86,785 $102,038
2023 $414 $2,202 $87,497 $103,638
2022 $357 $2,123 $109,270 $125,490
2021 $356 $2,144 $93,073 $88,984
2020 $511 $2,562 $68,340 $67,111
2019 $497 $2,583 $76,431 $70,940
2018 $491 $2,432 $82,793 $70,254
2017 $525 $2,336 $76,132 $64,590
2016 $522 $2,213 $70,867 $59,280
2015 $566 $2,284 $74,810 $60,738
2014 $625 $2,224 $97,667 $66,332
2013 $637 $2,133 $103,554 $67,378
2012 $651 $1,988 $102,176 $65,774
2011 $607 $1,744 $101,222 $62,460
2010 $561 $1,766 $88,163 $58,213
2009 $452 $1,571 $80,348 $55,648
2008 $382 $1,334 $97,504 $62,073
2007 $376 $1,287 $85,502 $56,179
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $74,434 $54,358
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $67,047 $47,967
2004 $221.8 $972 $57,769 $42,667
2003 $198.9 $967 $50,250 $38,680
2002 $179 $927 $43,171 $38,056
2001 $138.7 $748 $38,602 $37,829
2000 $174.9 $814 $38,178 $36,994
1999 - - $36,393 $30,574
1998 - - $34,803 $28,200
1997 - - $36,629 $28,610
1996 - - $37,322 $26,826
1995 - - $34,876 $24,360
1994 - - $29,316 $23,027
1993 - - $27,964 $21,584
1992 - - $30,524 $20,623
1991 - - $28,597 $19,580
1990 - - $28,243 $18,461
1989 - - $24,281 -
1988 - - $24,207 -
1987 - - $22,506 -
1986 - - $18,883 -
1985 - - $15,754 -
1984 - - $14,989 -
1983 - - $14,928 -
1982 - - $15,225 -
1981 - - $15,513 -
1980 - - $15,772 -
1979 - - $13,047 -
1978 - - $11,463 -
1977 - - $10,266 -
1976 - - $8,927 -
1975 - - $8,204 -
1974 - - $6,812 -
1973 - - $5,690 -
1972 - - $4,414 -
1971 - - $3,736 -
1970 - - $3,306 -
1969 - - $2,894 -
1968 - - $2,680 -
1967 - - $2,531 -
1966 - - $2,333 -
1965 - - $2,179 -
1964 - - $1,951 -
1963 - - $1,787 -
1962 - - $1,678 -
1961 - - $1,571 -
1960 - - $1,451 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $86,785 in Norway, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Norway
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$484B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
32/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
2.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$86,785
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
8/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
7/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$207B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
42.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$37,074
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
17/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$49,765
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
48.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
3.15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
3.98%
2024
Population
45409324
5671119

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 48.5% 42.7%
2023 17% 8.42% 45.9% 44.1%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 37.5% 36.1%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 46.3% 41.6%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 56.7% 46%
2019 28% 6.14% 50.2% 40.5%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 47.7% 39.3%
2017 27.7% 8% 49.2% 38.2%
2016 28% 8.44% 50.4% 37.9%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 48.2% 34.3%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 45.2% 29.6%
2013 25% 6.92% 43.5% 31.4%
2012 25% 6.77% 42.4% 30.9%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 43.3% 29.6%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 44.5% 43%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 45.6% 42.5%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 39.8% 47.5%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 41% 49.5%
2006 18.3% 23% 40.5% 52.6%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 41.8% 42.3%
2004 15.1% 245% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 47.6% 43.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 46.1% 33.9%
2001 - - 43.2% 27.2%
2000 - - 41.3% 28.7%
1999 - - 46.4% 25%
1998 - - 47.8% 23.6%
1997 - - 45.5% 25.8%
1996 - - 47% 28.4%
1995 - - 49.3% 32.7%
1994 - - 49.4% 50.6%
1993 - - 50.2% 53.7%
1992 - - 51.3% 45%
1991 - - 50% 39.2%
1990 - - 48.9% 28.9%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

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/norway | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Norway spent $234B, or 48.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 42.7% in Norway, ranking 181/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Norway
2024 -0.54% 13.2%
2023 -1.33% 16.6%
2022 -1% 25.5%
2021 -0.48% 10.3%
2020 -2.24% -2.56%
2019 -1.06% 6.52%
2018 1.63% 7.81%
2017 -0.67% 4.96%
2016 0.13% 4.04%
2015 -1.38% 5.99%
2014 -1.72% 8.57%
2013 -0.63% 10.6%
2012 0.18% 13.7%
2011 -0.67% 13.3%
2010 0.93% 10.9%
2009 -1.76% 10.2%
2008 -3.86% 18.5%
2007 -2.46% 17%
2006 0.68% 17.9%
2005 -0.92% 14.7%
2004 -2.39% 10.8%
2003 -2.1% 7.2%
2002 -0.1% 9.03%
2001 - 13.2%
2000 - 15%
1999 - 5.71%
1998 - 3.07%
1997 - 7.35%
1996 - 6.01%
1995 - 2.96%
1994 - 0.04%
1993 - -1.64%
1992 - -2.07%
1991 - -0.12%
1990 - 1.95%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/norway | 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 Norway's surplus of $80B, or 16.6% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 1 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 11% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Norway
2024 -4.3% 3.15%
2023 -7.7% 5.52%
2022 10.6% 5.76%
2021 7.8% 3.48%
2020 5.6% 1.29%
2019 2.3% 2.17%
2018 0.6% 2.76%
2017 5% 1.88%
2016 4.4% 3.55%
2015 -0.7% 2.17%
2014 4.7% 2.04%
2013 7.4% 2.12%
2012 6.4% 0.7%
2011 11.8% 1.28%
2010 2.2% 2.42%
2009 -6.8% 2.2%
2008 26.4% 3.75%
2007 8.7% 0.71%
2006 6.8% 2.33%
2005 10.6% 1.53%
2004 16.4% 0.45%
2003 35.7% 2.49%
2002 - 1.29%
2001 - 3%
2000 - 3.09%
1999 - 2.37%
1998 - 2.25%
1997 - 2.57%

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/norway | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.44% in Norway. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 3.15% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $478K
Textiles & consumer goods $223K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $62K
Metals $7K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Norway
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$71.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
11/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+14.8%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$97.5B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$162B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$63.6B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$55.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
47.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Norway
Economic freedom 53 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 9/197
Property rights 3.6 99.6
Government integrity 13.5 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 0 96.4
Tax burden 92 63.3
Government spending 90.8 42
Fiscal health 98.4 96.4
Business freedom 33.7 91.2
Labor freedom 44.4 69.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 72.4
Trade freedom 68.6 85.6
Investment freedom 10 75
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Norway
2026 - 78.8
2025 - 78.3
2024 - 77.5
2023 - 76.9
2022 - 76.9
2021 53 73.4
2020 54.7 73.4
2019 51.5 73
2018 51.3 74.3
2017 48.9 74
2016 - 70.8
2015 - 71.8
2014 - 70.9
2013 - 70.5
2012 - 68.8
2011 - 70.3
2010 - 69.4
2009 - 70.2
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 67.9
2005 - 64.5
2004 - 66.2
2003 - 67.2
2002 - 67.4
2001 - 67.1
2000 - 70.1
1999 - 68.6
1998 - 68
1997 - 65.1
1996 - 65.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Norway
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
51.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
37%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
2.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$547B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$106,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$81.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
32/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$7.83B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$4.95B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
24.1%
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/norway | 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 (1881–1989, 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.