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Economy of Afghanistan vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 137/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Afghanistan vs Pakistan GDP by year

Afghanistan
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Pakistan
2024 - $371,570,000,121
2023 $17,152,234,637 $336,686,348,609
2022 $14,497,243,872 $374,890,295,667
2021 $14,259,995,441 $348,516,647,445
2020 $19,955,929,052 $300,425,609,818
2019 $18,799,444,490 $320,909,472,771
2018 $18,053,222,687 $356,128,166,705
2017 $18,753,456,498 $339,205,534,861
2016 $18,116,572,395 $313,630,000,130
2015 $19,134,221,645 $299,963,590,535
2014 $20,497,128,556 $271,390,474,858
2013 $20,146,416,758 $258,657,231,672
2012 $19,907,329,778 $250,106,966,105
2011 $17,805,098,206 $230,586,581,060
2010 $15,856,668,556 $196,709,621,850
2009 $12,416,152,732 $187,337,783,856
2008 $10,109,297,048 $202,203,748,584
2007 $9,747,886,187 $184,140,869,997
2006 $6,971,758,282 $161,871,385,506
2005 $6,203,256,539 $145,208,562,961
2004 $5,224,896,719 $132,216,048,339
2003 $4,520,946,819 $112,371,913,741
2002 $3,825,701,439 $97,923,302,809
2001 $2,813,571,754 $97,145,618,480
2000 $3,521,418,060 $99,484,802,345
1999 - $62,973,857,069
1998 - $62,191,955,814
1997 - $62,433,340,468
1996 - $63,320,170,084
1995 - $60,636,071,684
1994 - $52,293,470,813
1993 - $51,809,999,353
1992 - $48,884,671,947
1991 - $45,625,336,680
1990 - $40,010,423,970
1989 - $40,171,106,279
1988 - $38,472,742,808
1987 - $33,351,529,275
1986 - $31,899,070,056
1985 - $31,144,920,844
1984 - $31,151,825,467
1983 - $28,691,889,764
1982 - $30,725,971,564
1981 - $28,100,606,061
1980 - $23,654,444,444
1979 - $19,688,383,838
1978 - $17,811,515,152
1977 - $15,126,060,606
1976 - $13,168,080,808
1975 - $11,230,606,061
1974 - $8,899,191,919
1973 - $6,383,429,490
1972 - $9,415,016,360
1971 - $10,665,896,682
1970 - $10,027,509,450
1969 - $8,683,116,338
1968 - $8,041,999,160
1967 - $7,464,510,710
1966 - $6,561,108,778
1965 - $5,929,231,415
1964 - $5,204,955,901
1963 - $4,630,827,383
1962 - $4,310,163,797
1961 - $4,118,647,627
1960 - $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Pakistan by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,479 $6,252
2023 $414 $2,202 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $357 $2,123 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $356 $2,144 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $511 $2,562 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $497 $2,583 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $491 $2,432 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $525 $2,336 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $522 $2,213 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $566 $2,284 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $625 $2,224 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $637 $2,133 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $651 $1,988 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $607 $1,744 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $561 $1,766 $987 $3,786
2009 $452 $1,571 $964 $3,777
2008 $382 $1,334 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $376 $1,287 $998 $3,672
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $901 $3,515
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $828 $3,293
2004 $221.8 $972 $772 $3,048
2003 $198.9 $967 $672 $2,822
2002 $179 $927 $600 $2,688
2001 $138.7 $748 $610 $2,644
2000 $174.9 $814 $642 $2,565
1999 - - $418 $2,475
1998 - - $424 $2,419
1997 - - $438 $2,398
1996 - - $457 $2,401
1995 - - $451 $2,315
1994 - - $400 $2,224
1993 - - $408 $2,160
1992 - - $396 $2,132
1991 - - $380 $1,992
1990 - - $344 $1,895
1989 - - $358 -
1988 - - $354 -
1987 - - $317 -
1986 - - $314 -
1985 - - $317 -
1984 - - $327 -
1983 - - $311 -
1982 - - $345 -
1981 - - $328 -
1980 - - $287.4 -
1979 - - $249.2 -
1978 - - $233.4 -
1977 - - $204.7 -
1976 - - $183.9 -
1975 - - $161.7 -
1974 - - $132 -
1973 - - $97.5 -
1972 - - $148.1 -
1971 - - $172.5 -
1970 - - $166.7 -
1969 - - $148.5 -
1968 - - $141.6 -
1967 - - $135.2 -
1966 - - $122.2 -
1965 - - $113.6 -
1964 - - $102.5 -
1963 - - $93.7 -
1962 - - $89.5 -
1961 - - $87.8 -
1960 - - $82 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$372B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
43/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
150/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$52.1B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
6.96%
2025
Population
45409324
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 17% 8.42% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 20% 77.3%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 28% 6.14% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 27.7% 8% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 28% 8.44% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 25% 6.92% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 25% 6.77% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 18% 49.5%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 18.3% 23% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 13% 47.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 6.94% 346% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 - - 12.9% 65.1%
2000 - - 13.8% 61.7%
1999 - - 13.2% 60.7%
1998 - - 14.1% 53.8%
1997 - - 13.7% 52.8%
1996 - - 15% 52.5%
1995 - - 14% 52.3%
1994 - - 14.5% 58.5%
1993 - - 17% 57.9%
1992 - - 22.6% 53.3%
1991 - - 21.4% 55.8%
1990 - - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1993–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 181/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Pakistan
2024 -0.54% -6.81%
2023 -1.33% -7.76%
2022 -1% -7.84%
2021 -0.48% -6.04%
2020 -2.24% -7.03%
2019 -1.06% -7.79%
2018 1.63% -5.67%
2017 -0.67% -5.17%
2016 0.13% -3.92%
2015 -1.38% -4.74%
2014 -1.72% -4.37%
2013 -0.63% -7.48%
2012 0.18% -7.74%
2011 -0.67% -6.23%
2010 0.93% -5.42%
2009 -1.76% -4.53%
2008 -3.86% -5.94%
2007 -2.46% -4.23%
2006 0.68% -2.79%
2005 -0.92% -2.29%
2004 -2.39% -1.29%
2003 -2.1% -0.12%
2002 -0.1% -2.64%
2001 - -2.45%
2000 - -3.21%
1999 - -3.07%
1998 - -4.46%
1997 - -3.87%
1996 - -4.33%
1995 - -3.9%
1994 - -3.63%
1993 - -5.53%
1992 - -11.3%
1991 - -10.8%
1990 - -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $26.1B, or 7.76% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.05% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Pakistan
2024 -4.3% 12.6%
2023 -7.7% 30.8%
2022 10.6% 19.9%
2021 7.8% 9.5%
2020 5.6% 9.74%
2019 2.3% 10.6%
2018 0.6% 5.08%
2017 5% 4.09%
2016 4.4% 3.77%
2015 -0.7% 2.53%
2014 4.7% 7.19%
2013 7.4% 7.69%
2012 6.4% 9.68%
2011 11.8% 11.9%
2010 2.2% 12.9%
2009 -6.8% 13.6%
2008 26.4% 20.3%
2007 8.7% 7.6%
2006 6.8% 7.92%
2005 10.6% 9.06%
2004 16.4% 7.44%
2003 35.7% 2.91%
2002 - 3.29%
2001 - 3.15%
2000 - 4.37%
1999 - 4.14%
1998 - 6.23%
1997 - 11.4%

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/pakistan | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 10.3% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $162M
Raw materials & minerals $87.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $40.7M
Animal & marine products $5.71M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.82M
Chemicals & pharma $50K
Wood & paper products $40K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Miscellaneous $1K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $568M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $363M
Chemicals & pharma $253M
Raw materials & minerals $102M
Machinery & equipment $92.5M
Metals $55.2M
Wood & paper products $43.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $19.4M
Animal & marine products $11.2M
Weapons & explosives $4.02M

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Pakistan
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Pakistan
Economic freedom 53 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 168/197
Property rights 3.6 25.7
Government integrity 13.5 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 0 27.6
Tax burden 92 78.2
Government spending 90.8 88.5
Fiscal health 98.4 10.1
Business freedom 33.7 54.4
Labor freedom 44.4 51.7
Monetary freedom 84.9 54.1
Trade freedom 68.6 70.4
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Pakistan
2026 - 48.9
2025 - 49.1
2024 - 49.5
2023 - 49.4
2022 - 48.8
2021 53 51.7
2020 54.7 54.8
2019 51.5 55
2018 51.3 54.4
2017 48.9 52.8
2016 - 55.9
2015 - 55.6
2014 - 55.2
2013 - 55.1
2012 - 54.7
2011 - 55.1
2010 - 55.2
2009 - 57
2008 - 55.6
2007 - 57.2
2006 - 57.9
2005 - 53.3
2004 - 54.9
2003 - 55
2002 - 55.8
2001 - 56
2000 - 56.4
1999 - 53
1998 - 53.2
1997 - 56
1996 - 58.4
1995 - 57.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
13.2%
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/pakistan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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.