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Economy of Afghanistan vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 137/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Afghanistan vs Poland GDP by year

Afghanistan
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Poland
2024 - $917,767,106,147
2023 $17,152,234,637 $812,451,193,396
2022 $14,497,243,872 $695,607,470,875
2021 $14,259,995,441 $689,170,230,665
2020 $19,955,929,052 $605,914,237,904
2019 $18,799,444,490 $602,683,770,145
2018 $18,053,222,687 $594,616,687,350
2017 $18,753,456,498 $528,356,676,667
2016 $18,116,572,395 $473,259,583,970
2015 $19,134,221,645 $480,054,118,583
2014 $20,497,128,556 $542,134,167,179
2013 $20,146,416,758 $518,179,836,405
2012 $19,907,329,778 $498,148,649,703
2011 $17,805,098,206 $527,848,543,023
2010 $15,856,668,556 $478,111,630,684
2009 $12,416,152,732 $440,891,472,247
2008 $10,109,297,048 $535,612,030,672
2007 $9,747,886,187 $429,715,132,138
2006 $6,971,758,282 $345,897,630,736
2005 $6,203,256,539 $306,999,913,151
2004 $5,224,896,719 $256,268,656,145
2003 $4,520,946,819 $218,561,225,998
2002 $3,825,701,439 $199,694,463,256
2001 $2,813,571,754 $191,823,200,371
2000 $3,521,418,060 $172,953,527,033
1999 - $170,704,452,715
1998 - $175,282,269,667
1997 - $159,893,964,917
1996 - $160,813,026,223
1995 - $142,838,527,115
1994 - $110,803,635,288
1993 - $96,043,157,273
1992 - $94,337,050,693
1991 - $85,500,935,935
1990 - $65,977,748,211

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Poland by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $25,104 $51,263
2023 $414 $2,202 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $357 $2,123 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $356 $2,144 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $511 $2,562 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $497 $2,583 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $491 $2,432 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $525 $2,336 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $522 $2,213 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $566 $2,284 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $625 $2,224 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $637 $2,133 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $651 $1,988 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $607 $1,744 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $561 $1,766 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $452 $1,571 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $382 $1,334 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $376 $1,287 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $221.8 $972 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $198.9 $967 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $179 $927 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $138.7 $748 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $174.9 $814 $4,521 $10,721
1999 - - $4,416 $10,081
1998 - - $4,534 $9,521
1997 - - $4,137 $8,967
1996 - - $4,164 $8,310
1995 - - $3,701 $7,715
1994 - - $2,875 $7,040
1993 - - $2,497 $6,560
1992 - - $2,459 $6,193
1991 - - $2,236 $5,925
1990 - - $1,731 $6,185

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Poland
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$918B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
21/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
43/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
2.81%
2024
Population
45409324
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 43.6% 53%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 28% 6.14% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 41% 48.2%
2017 27.7% 8% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 28% 8.44% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 25% 6.77% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 46% 53.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 44% 46.6%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 15.1% 245% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 6.94% 346% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 - - 44.7% 37.2%
2000 - - 43.1% 36.4%
1999 - - 42.5% 39.4%
1998 - - 44% 38.7%
1997 - - 46.1% 42.7%
1996 - - 50.7% 43.2%
1995 - - 47.5% 48.7%
1994 - - - 64.3%
1993 - - - 83.9%
1992 - - - 81.9%
1991 - - - 76.9%
1990 - - - 89.7%
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 181/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Poland
2024 -0.54% -6.59%
2023 -1.33% -5.27%
2022 -1% -3.44%
2021 -0.48% -1.75%
2020 -2.24% -6.85%
2019 -1.06% -0.73%
2018 1.63% -0.24%
2017 -0.67% -1.49%
2016 0.13% -2.38%
2015 -1.38% -2.59%
2014 -1.72% -3.66%
2013 -0.63% -4.25%
2012 0.18% -3.8%
2011 -0.67% -4.97%
2010 0.93% -7.43%
2009 -1.76% -7.24%
2008 -3.86% -3.6%
2007 -2.46% -1.88%
2006 0.68% -3.53%
2005 -0.92% -3.93%
2004 -2.39% -4.99%
2003 -2.1% -6.02%
2002 -0.1% -4.8%
2001 - -4.73%
2000 - -4%
1999 - -2.3%
1998 - -4.25%
1997 - -4.61%
1996 - -4.84%
1995 - -4.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $42.8B, or 5.27% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.86% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Poland
2024 -4.3% 3.78%
2023 -7.7% 11.5%
2022 10.6% 14.4%
2021 7.8% 5.06%
2020 5.6% 3.37%
2019 2.3% 2.23%
2018 0.6% 1.81%
2017 5% 2.08%
2016 4.4% -0.66%
2015 -0.7% -0.87%
2014 4.7% 0.05%
2013 7.4% 0.99%
2012 6.4% 3.56%
2011 11.8% 4.24%
2010 2.2% 2.58%
2009 -6.8% 3.8%
2008 26.4% 4.16%
2007 8.7% 2.46%
2006 6.8% 1.28%
2005 10.6% 2.18%
2004 16.4% 3.38%
2003 35.7% 0.68%
2002 - 1.91%
2001 - 5.41%
2000 - 9.9%
1999 - 7.15%
1998 - 11.6%
1997 - 14.9%

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/poland | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 3.28% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $125K
Poland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7.59M
Animal & marine products $958K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $769K
Textiles & consumer goods $486K
Raw materials & minerals $378K
Metals $197K
Chemicals & pharma $172K
Wood & paper products $32K
Miscellaneous $31K
Raw agricultural goods $20K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Poland
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$361B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Poland
Economic freedom 53 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 46/197
Property rights 3.6 71.8
Government integrity 13.5 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 0 62.5
Tax burden 92 72.7
Government spending 90.8 35.1
Fiscal health 98.4 74.8
Business freedom 33.7 77.5
Labor freedom 44.4 53.7
Monetary freedom 84.9 73.8
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 80
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Poland
2026 - 68.5
2025 - 67.1
2024 - 66
2023 - 67.7
2022 - 68.7
2021 53 69.7
2020 54.7 69.1
2019 51.5 67.8
2018 51.3 68.5
2017 48.9 68.3
2016 - 69.3
2015 - 68.6
2014 - 67
2013 - 66
2012 - 64.2
2011 - 64.1
2010 - 63.2
2009 - 60.3
2008 - 60.3
2007 - 58.1
2006 - 59.3
2005 - 59.6
2004 - 58.7
2003 - 61.8
2002 - 65
2001 - 61.8
2000 - 60
1999 - 59.6
1998 - 59.2
1997 - 56.8
1996 - 57.8
1995 - 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Poland
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
17.8%
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/poland | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.