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Economy of Afghanistan vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $347B for Portugal, ranking 139/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $312B (89.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Afghanistan vs Portugal GDP by year

Afghanistan
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Portugal
2025 - $346,639,825,142
2024 $17,778,508,876 $313,656,884,871
2023 $17,152,234,637 $292,323,800,949
2022 $14,497,243,872 $256,898,677,175
2021 $14,259,995,441 $256,055,879,091
2020 $19,955,929,052 $229,618,773,423
2019 $18,799,444,490 $240,115,970,063
2018 $18,053,222,687 $242,092,894,543
2017 $18,753,456,498 $220,862,990,767
2016 $18,116,572,395 $206,305,431,242
2015 $19,134,221,645 $199,038,523,120
2014 $20,497,128,556 $230,078,616,300
2013 $20,146,416,758 $226,677,408,292
2012 $19,907,329,778 $216,536,676,772
2011 $17,805,098,206 $245,426,767,676
2010 $15,856,668,556 $238,443,864,993
2009 $12,416,152,732 $244,667,762,836
2008 $10,109,297,048 $263,416,394,624
2007 $9,747,886,187 $240,496,147,317
2006 $6,971,758,282 $208,756,449,276
2005 $6,203,256,539 $197,253,876,705
2004 $5,224,896,719 $189,382,122,532
2003 $4,520,946,819 $165,226,175,537
2002 $3,825,701,439 $134,795,565,549
2001 $2,813,571,754 $121,604,107,165
2000 $3,521,418,060 $118,605,192,877
1999 - $127,470,385,557
1998 - $123,946,327,916
1997 - $117,016,535,163
1996 - $122,630,089,680
1995 - $118,122,007,430
1994 - $99,688,641,304
1993 - $95,009,751,901
1992 - $107,592,098,307
1991 - $89,233,599,278
1990 - $78,713,860,217
1989 - $60,594,092,182
1988 - $56,347,250,696
1987 - $48,182,925,857
1986 - $38,745,901,354
1985 - $27,115,807,742
1984 - $25,217,969,050
1983 - $27,239,650,742
1982 - $30,527,754,793
1981 - $31,977,276,873
1980 - $32,896,519,824
1979 - $26,622,819,672
1978 - $23,487,614,051
1977 - $21,439,523,311
1976 - $20,332,831,565
1975 - $19,347,607,843
1974 - $17,512,391,476
1973 - $15,090,564,186
1972 - $11,239,117,865
1971 - $9,201,604,240
1970 - $8,108,235,704
1969 - $7,287,555,035
1968 - $6,644,693,214
1967 - $6,002,607,030
1966 - $5,370,108,031
1965 - $4,901,711,248
1964 - $4,429,202,657
1963 - $4,084,251,593
1962 - $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Portugal by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $32,082 -
2024 $417 - $29,328 $51,680
2023 $414 $2,202 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $357 $2,123 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $356 $2,144 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $511 $2,562 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $497 $2,583 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $491 $2,432 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $525 $2,336 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $522 $2,213 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $566 $2,284 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $625 $2,224 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $637 $2,133 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $651 $1,988 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $607 $1,744 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $561 $1,766 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $452 $1,571 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $382 $1,334 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $376 $1,287 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $221.8 $972 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $198.9 $967 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $179 $927 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $138.7 $748 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $174.9 $814 $11,526 $18,883
1999 - - $12,475 $17,718
1998 - - $12,199 $16,688
1997 - - $11,576 $15,789
1996 - - $12,185 $14,922
1995 - - $11,781 $14,406
1994 - - $9,977 $13,578
1993 - - $9,535 $13,202
1992 - - $10,811 $13,182
1991 - - $8,959 $12,739
1990 - - $7,885 $11,780
1989 - - $6,056 -
1988 - - $5,624 -
1987 - - $4,804 -
1986 - - $3,862 -
1985 - - $2,705 -
1984 - - $2,523 -
1983 - - $2,735 -
1982 - - $3,080 -
1981 - - $3,246 -
1980 - - $3,368 -
1979 - - $2,756 -
1978 - - $2,457 -
1977 - - $2,267 -
1976 - - $2,173 -
1975 - - $2,128 -
1974 - - $2,000 -
1973 - - $1,748 -
1972 - - $1,302 -
1971 - - $1,065 -
1970 - - $934 -
1969 - - $832 -
1968 - - $752 -
1967 - - $676 -
1966 - - $601 -
1965 - - $545 -
1964 - - $490 -
1963 - - $452 -
1962 - - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $32,082 in Portugal, ranking 43/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Portugal
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$347B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
46/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
1.86%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$32,082
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
43/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
42/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$312B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
89.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$28,843
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
26/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$16,647
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
181,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
43.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
2.34%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
6%
2025
Population
45682388
10788071

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 43.7% 89.9%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 42.5% 93.5%
2023 17% 8.25% 41.9% 96.9%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 28% 6.14% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 27.7% 8% 45.5% 126%
2016 28% 8.44% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 48.2% 131%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 25% 6.9% 50% 130.8%
2012 25% 6.76% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 50% 114%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 44.6% 72.7%
2006 18.3% 23% 45.2% 73.7%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 46.7% 72.2%
2004 15.1% 245% 46% 67.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 45.3% 63.9%
2002 6.94% 346% 44.2% 60%
2001 - - 44.1% 57.4%
2000 - - 42.8% 54.2%
1999 - - 42.5% 55.4%
1998 - - 42.6% 55.6%
1997 - - 42.4% 58.7%
1996 - - 43% 63.3%
1995 - - 42.6% 62.2%
1994 - - 42.8% 60.4%
1993 - - 46.5% 57.2%
1992 - - 48.2% 58.1%
1991 - - 45.9% 63.9%
1990 - - 42.2% 60.2%
1989 - - 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

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/portugal | CC BY

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $152B, or 43.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 89.9% in Portugal, ranking 181/185 and 30/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Portugal
2025 -0.89% 0.31%
2024 -0.55% 0.5%
2023 -1.33% 1.26%
2022 -1% -0.31%
2021 -0.48% -2.83%
2020 -2.24% -5.75%
2019 -1.06% 0.12%
2018 1.63% -0.43%
2017 -0.67% -3%
2016 0.13% -1.94%
2015 -1.38% -4.37%
2014 -1.72% -7.32%
2013 -0.63% -5.21%
2012 0.18% -6.2%
2011 -0.67% -7.73%
2010 0.93% -11.4%
2009 -1.76% -9.87%
2008 -3.86% -3.81%
2007 -2.46% -2.91%
2006 0.68% -4.06%
2005 -0.92% -6.05%
2004 -2.39% -5.91%
2003 -2.1% -5.57%
2002 -0.1% -3.7%
2001 - -4.68%
2000 - -3.32%
1999 - -2.93%
1998 - -4.3%
1997 - -3.65%
1996 - -4.63%
1995 - -5.14%
1994 - -7.37%
1993 - -8.06%
1992 - -5.19%
1991 - -7.93%
1990 - -6.82%
1989 - -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/portugal | 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 Portugal's surplus of $1.57B, or 0.5% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.2% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Portugal
2025 2.9% 2.34%
2024 -4.3% 2.42%
2023 -7.7% 4.31%
2022 10.6% 7.83%
2021 7.8% 1.27%
2020 5.6% -0.01%
2019 2.3% 0.34%
2018 0.6% 0.99%
2017 5% 1.37%
2016 4.4% 0.61%
2015 -0.7% 0.49%
2014 4.7% -0.28%
2013 7.4% 0.27%
2012 6.4% 2.77%
2011 11.8% 3.65%
2010 2.2% 1.4%
2009 -6.8% -0.84%
2008 26.4% 2.59%
2007 8.7% 2.45%
2006 6.8% 3.11%
2005 10.6% 2.28%
2004 16.4% 2.37%
2003 35.7% 3.22%
2002 - 3.6%
2001 - 4.37%
2000 - 2.85%
1999 - 2.34%
1998 - 2.57%
1997 - 2.34%

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/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 1.95% in Portugal. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 2.34% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.68M
Chemicals & pharma $346K
Wood & paper products $263K
Metals $47K
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Raw materials & minerals $26K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Portugal
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
30/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
42.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
43.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Portugal
Economic freedom 53 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 33/197
Property rights 3.6 88.9
Government integrity 13.5 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 0 90.1
Tax burden 92 60.6
Government spending 90.8 44.6
Fiscal health 98.4 82
Business freedom 33.7 83.1
Labor freedom 44.4 54.8
Monetary freedom 84.9 77.7
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 70
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Portugal
2026 - 71.2
2025 - 70.5
2024 - 68.7
2023 - 69.5
2022 - 70.8
2021 53 67.5
2020 54.7 67
2019 51.5 65.3
2018 51.3 63.4
2017 48.9 62.6
2016 - 65.1
2015 - 65.3
2014 - 63.5
2013 - 63.1
2012 - 63
2011 - 64
2010 - 64.4
2009 - 64.9
2008 - 63.9
2007 - 64
2006 - 62.9
2005 - 62.4
2004 - 64.9
2003 - 64.9
2002 - 65.4
2001 - 66
2000 - 65.5
1999 - 65.6
1998 - 65
1997 - 63.6
1996 - 64.5
1995 - 62.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Portugal
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
66.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
18.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
1.96%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$323B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$52,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$68.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
39/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
21%
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/portugal | 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 (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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.