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Economy of Afghanistan vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $531B for Norway, ranking 139/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $239B (45% of GDP) in Norway.

Afghanistan vs Norway GDP by year

Afghanistan
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Norway
2025 - $530,755,719,439
2024 $17,778,508,876 $500,886,328,034
2023 $17,152,234,637 $502,197,633,323
2022 $14,497,243,872 $617,321,834,099
2021 $14,259,995,441 $521,592,200,233
2020 $19,955,929,052 $382,252,517,922
2019 $18,799,444,490 $424,244,886,364
2018 $18,053,222,687 $454,588,871,811
2017 $18,753,456,498 $415,673,181,543
2016 $18,116,572,395 $383,284,047,619
2015 $19,134,221,645 $400,669,174,331
2014 $20,497,128,556 $515,829,568,897
2013 $20,146,416,758 $540,132,255,319
2012 $19,907,329,778 $525,082,939,407
2011 $17,805,098,206 $512,868,581,628
2010 $15,856,668,556 $440,132,138,425
2009 $12,416,152,732 $395,664,488,017
2008 $10,109,297,048 $472,060,283,688
2007 $9,747,886,187 $407,813,774,161
2006 $6,971,758,282 $349,773,283,645
2005 $6,203,256,539 $311,417,306,946
2004 $5,224,896,719 $265,662,977,688
2003 $4,520,946,819 $229,192,678,173
2002 $3,825,701,439 $195,359,978,957
2001 $2,813,571,754 $173,590,978,347
2000 $3,521,418,060 $170,620,327,660
1999 - $161,304,620,987
1998 - $152,955,958,172
1997 - $160,013,571,974
1996 - $162,427,517,132
1995 - $151,083,627,983
1994 - $126,324,387,894
1993 - $119,841,699,440
1992 - $129,998,873,602
1991 - $121,149,331,318
1990 - $119,344,377,526
1989 - $102,226,808,603
1988 - $101,497,621,605
1987 - $93,913,320,965
1986 - $78,438,205,742
1985 - $65,211,464,198
1984 - $61,866,078,539
1983 - $61,417,685,434
1982 - $62,453,362,256
1981 - $63,392,804,251
1980 - $64,176,789,764
1979 - $52,935,763,512
1978 - $46,355,988,784
1977 - $41,362,637,363
1976 - $35,815,449,464
1975 - $32,742,543,381
1974 - $27,033,413,362
1973 - $22,433,660,550
1972 - $17,283,931,878
1971 - $14,523,306,736
1970 - $12,753,503,479
1969 - $11,083,505,596
1968 - $10,178,705,992
1967 - $9,532,076,026
1966 - $8,712,528,095
1965 - $8,073,570,566
1964 - $7,172,430,304
1963 - $6,522,268,053
1962 - $6,078,186,245
1961 - $5,642,867,672
1960 - $5,172,811,442

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

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
2025 - - $94,594 -
2024 $417 - $89,889 $102,038
2023 $414 $2,202 $90,984 $103,638
2022 $357 $2,123 $113,122 $125,490
2021 $356 $2,144 $96,443 $88,984
2020 $511 $2,562 $71,058 $67,111
2019 $497 $2,583 $79,329 $70,940
2018 $491 $2,432 $85,579 $70,254
2017 $525 $2,336 $78,771 $64,590
2016 $522 $2,213 $73,222 $59,280
2015 $566 $2,284 $77,221 $60,738
2014 $625 $2,224 $100,410 $66,332
2013 $637 $2,133 $106,333 $67,378
2012 $651 $1,988 $104,628 $65,774
2011 $607 $1,744 $103,545 $62,460
2010 $561 $1,766 $90,020 $58,213
2009 $452 $1,571 $81,940 $55,648
2008 $382 $1,334 $99,002 $62,073
2007 $376 $1,287 $86,600 $56,179
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $75,048 $54,358
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $67,358 $47,967
2004 $221.8 $972 $57,855 $42,667
2003 $198.9 $967 $50,208 $38,680
2002 $179 $927 $43,048 $38,056
2001 $138.7 $748 $38,458 $37,829
2000 $174.9 $814 $37,992 $36,994
1999 - - $36,151 $30,574
1998 - - $34,516 $28,200
1997 - - $36,324 $28,610
1996 - - $37,073 $26,826
1995 - - $34,659 $24,360
1994 - - $29,130 $23,027
1993 - - $27,793 $21,584
1992 - - $30,328 $20,623
1991 - - $28,427 $19,580
1990 - - $28,137 $18,461
1989 - - $24,185 -
1988 - - $24,112 -
1987 - - $22,430 -
1986 - - $18,822 -
1985 - - $15,704 -
1984 - - $14,943 -
1983 - - $14,877 -
1982 - - $15,178 -
1981 - - $15,463 -
1980 - - $15,708 -
1979 - - $12,998 -
1978 - - $11,421 -
1977 - - $10,230 -
1976 - - $8,896 -
1975 - - $8,171 -
1974 - - $6,783 -
1973 - - $5,664 -
1972 - - $4,395 -
1971 - - $3,721 -
1970 - - $3,291 -
1969 - - $2,881 -
1968 - - $2,667 -
1967 - - $2,519 -
1966 - - $2,321 -
1965 - - $2,168 -
1964 - - $1,941 -
1963 - - $1,779 -
1962 - - $1,670 -
1961 - - $1,563 -
1960 - - $1,444 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $94,594 in Norway, ranking 9/197. 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
$17.8B
2024
$531B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
32/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
1.09%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$94,594
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
9/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
7/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$239B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
45%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$42,567
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
15/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$50,036
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
49.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
4.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.5%
2025
Population
45682388
5660666

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
2025 20% 7.98% 49.6% 45%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 46.9% 52.8%
2023 17% 8.25% 44.2% 42.4%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 36.2% 34.8%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 44.7% 40.1%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 54.5% 44.3%
2019 28% 6.14% 48.4% 39%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 46.1% 38.1%
2017 27.7% 8% 47.6% 36.9%
2016 28% 8.44% 48.8% 36.7%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 46.7% 33.2%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 44% 28.8%
2013 25% 6.9% 42.3% 30.6%
2012 25% 6.76% 41.4% 30.2%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 42.3% 28.9%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 43.6% 42.1%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 44.7% 41.7%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 39.2% 46.8%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 40.5% 48.9%
2006 18.3% 23% 40.1% 52.2%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 41.6% 42.1%
2004 15.1% 245% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 47.7% 43.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 46.3% 34%
2001 - - 43.4% 27.3%
2000 - - 41.5% 28.8%
1999 - - 46.7% 25.1%
1998 - - 48.2% 23.8%
1997 - - 45.9% 26%
1996 - - 47.4% 28.6%
1995 - - 49.6% 32.9%
1994 - - 49.7% 51%
1993 - - 50.5% 54%
1992 - - 51.6% 45.3%
1991 - - 50.3% 39.5%
1990 - - 49.1% 29.1%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Norway spent $263B, or 49.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 45% in Norway, ranking 181/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Norway
2025 -0.89% 9.34%
2024 -0.55% 12.8%
2023 -1.33% 15.9%
2022 -1% 24.7%
2021 -0.48% 9.93%
2020 -2.24% -2.46%
2019 -1.06% 6.28%
2018 1.63% 7.56%
2017 -0.67% 4.79%
2016 0.13% 3.91%
2015 -1.38% 5.8%
2014 -1.72% 8.34%
2013 -0.63% 10.3%
2012 0.18% 13.4%
2011 -0.67% 13%
2010 0.93% 10.6%
2009 -1.76% 10%
2008 -3.86% 18.3%
2007 -2.46% 16.8%
2006 0.68% 17.7%
2005 -0.92% 14.7%
2004 -2.39% 10.8%
2003 -2.1% 7.21%
2002 -0.1% 9.05%
2001 - 13.2%
2000 - 15.1%
1999 - 5.75%
1998 - 3.09%
1997 - 7.41%
1996 - 6.05%
1995 - 2.98%
1994 - 0.04%
1993 - -1.65%
1992 - -2.08%
1991 - -0.12%
1990 - 1.96%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/norway | 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 Norway's surplus of $64B, or 12.8% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 1 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to surplus of 10.8% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Norway
2025 2.9% 3.06%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 2.47% in Norway. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 3.06% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $425K
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
$74.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
10/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+14%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$105B
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$177B
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$73.9B
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$63.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
45.4%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
45.2%
2024
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
34.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
1.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$546B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$107,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$85.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
34/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$12.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$5.62B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
23.2%
2025

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/norway | 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 (1881–1989, 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 (2019–2025, 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.