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Economy of Afghanistan vs Russia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $2.17T for Russia, ranking 137/197 and 11/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $440B (20.3% of GDP) in Russia.

Afghanistan vs Russia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Russia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Russia
2024 - $2,173,835,806,672
2023 $17,152,234,637 $2,071,505,725,031
2022 $14,497,243,872 $2,291,612,121,335
2021 $14,259,995,441 $1,829,186,719,575
2020 $19,955,929,052 $1,493,075,894,362
2019 $18,799,444,490 $1,693,115,002,708
2018 $18,053,222,687 $1,657,328,773,461
2017 $18,753,456,498 $1,574,199,360,089
2016 $18,116,572,395 $1,276,786,350,881
2015 $19,134,221,645 $1,363,482,182,198
2014 $20,497,128,556 $2,059,241,589,895
2013 $20,146,416,758 $2,292,470,078,346
2012 $19,907,329,778 $2,208,293,553,878
2011 $17,805,098,206 $2,045,922,753,398
2010 $15,856,668,556 $1,524,916,715,224
2009 $12,416,152,732 $1,222,645,900,056
2008 $10,109,297,048 $1,660,848,058,303
2007 $9,747,886,187 $1,299,703,478,482
2006 $6,971,758,282 $989,932,071,353
2005 $6,203,256,539 $764,015,973,481
2004 $5,224,896,719 $591,016,690,732
2003 $4,520,946,819 $430,347,420,185
2002 $3,825,701,439 $345,470,494,418
2001 $2,813,571,754 $306,602,070,621
2000 $3,521,418,060 $259,710,142,197
1999 - $195,907,128,351
1998 - $270,955,486,862
1997 - $404,928,954,192
1996 - $391,724,890,744
1995 - $395,537,185,735
1994 - $395,077,301,248
1993 - $435,083,713,851
1992 - $460,290,556,901
1991 - $517,962,962,963
1990 - $517,014,446,228
1989 - $506,631,299,735
1988 - $554,828,660,436

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1988–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Russia by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Russia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Russia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $15,145 $47,405
2023 $414 $2,202 $14,403 $44,269
2022 $357 $2,123 $15,888 $40,939
2021 $356 $2,144 $12,637 $38,638
2020 $511 $2,562 $10,280 $31,491
2019 $497 $2,583 $11,640 $30,964
2018 $491 $2,432 $11,399 $28,629
2017 $525 $2,336 $10,835 $25,778
2016 $522 $2,213 $8,804 $24,012
2015 $566 $2,284 $9,427 $23,994
2014 $625 $2,224 $14,277 $25,688
2013 $637 $2,133 $15,941 $26,020
2012 $651 $1,988 $15,402 $24,274
2011 $607 $1,744 $14,305 $22,790
2010 $561 $1,766 $10,675 $20,490
2009 $452 $1,571 $8,563 $19,390
2008 $382 $1,334 $11,635 $20,164
2007 $376 $1,287 $9,101 $16,648
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $6,920 $14,912
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $5,323 $11,822
2004 $221.8 $972 $4,102 $10,227
2003 $198.9 $967 $2,975 $9,255
2002 $179 $927 $2,378 $8,037
2001 $138.7 $748 $2,100 $7,361
2000 $174.9 $814 $1,772 $6,825
1999 - - $1,331 $5,914
1998 - - $1,835 $5,465
1997 - - $2,738 $5,700
1996 - - $2,644 $5,518
1995 - - $2,666 $5,613
1994 - - $2,662 $5,734
1993 - - $2,931 $6,420
1992 - - $3,099 $6,862
1991 - - $3,490 $7,858
1990 - - $3,494 $8,028
1989 - - $3,430 -
1988 - - $3,778 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1988–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $15,145 in Russia, ranking 68/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Russia ranks 50th at $47,405.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Russia
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$2.17T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
11/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
4.34%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$15,145
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
68/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$47,405
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
50/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$440B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
20.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$3,067
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
98/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$10,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$650B
2023
Number of millionaires n/a
426,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
140
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
36.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
8.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
16%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
2.43%
2024
Population
45409324
141906741

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Russia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Russia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 36.9% 20.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 35.7% 19.5%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 35.2% 18.5%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 34.9% 16.5%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 39.2% 19.2%
2019 28% 6.14% 33.8% 13.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 32.6% 13.6%
2017 27.7% 8% 34.8% 14.3%
2016 28% 8.44% 36.6% 14.8%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 35.3% 15.3%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 34.9% 15.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 34.7% 12.3%
2012 25% 6.77% 34% 11.2%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 33.3% 10.3%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 35.5% 10.1%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 38.6% 9.92%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 32% 7.45%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 31.9% 8.03%
2006 18.3% 23% 29% 9.8%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 29.5% 14.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 29.6% 20.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 32.6% 28.3%
2002 6.94% 346% 33.8% 37.6%
2001 - - 31.5% 44.4%
2000 - - 30.7% 55.9%
1999 - - 34.3% 92.4%
1998 - - 39.7% 135.2%
1997 - - - 51.5%
1996 - - - 51.9%
1995 - - - 53.7%
1994 - - - 63.5%
1993 - - - 92.4%
1992 - - - 116%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Russia spent $802B, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 20.3% in Russia, ranking 181/185 and 175/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Russia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Russia
2024 -0.54% -1.6%
2023 -1.33% -2.22%
2022 -1% -1.34%
2021 -0.48% 0.78%
2020 -2.24% -3.99%
2019 -1.06% 1.93%
2018 1.63% 2.92%
2017 -0.67% -1.47%
2016 0.13% -3.67%
2015 -1.38% -3.39%
2014 -1.72% -1.07%
2013 -0.63% -1.16%
2012 0.18% 0.38%
2011 -0.67% 1.43%
2010 0.93% -3.19%
2009 -1.76% -5.89%
2008 -3.86% 4.55%
2007 -2.46% 5.59%
2006 0.68% 7.8%
2005 -0.92% 7.6%
2004 -2.39% 4.57%
2003 -2.1% 1.35%
2002 -0.1% 0.67%
2001 - 2.99%
2000 - 3.11%
1999 - -3.59%
1998 - -7.42%
1997 - -
1996 - -
1995 - -
1994 - -
1993 - -
1992 - -
1991 - -
1990 - -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - 0.15%
1939 - 0.12%
1938 - 0.16%
1937 - 0.12%
1936 - 0.1%
1935 - 0.07%
1934 - 0.25%
1933 - 0.58%
1932 - 0.06%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - -1.62%
1929 - -0.4%
1928 - -0.4%
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -
1912 - 0.69%
1911 - 1.26%
1910 - 1.52%
1909 - -0.15%
1908 - -0.83%
1907 - -0.86%
1906 - -3.19%
1905 - -7.72%
1904 - -5.13%
1903 - 1.04%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - 0.14%
1900 - -0.36%
1899 - 0.66%
1898 - 0.03%
1897 - 0.34%
1896 - 1.3%
1895 - 0.7%
1894 - 1.43%
1893 - 0.63%
1892 - -1.16%
1891 - -0.97%
1890 - 0.01%
1889 - 1.34%
1888 - 0.88%
1887 - 0.14%
1886 - -0.84%
1885 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1940, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/russia | 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 Russia's deficit of $45.9B, or 2.22% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Russia ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.55% of GDP for Russia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Russia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Russia
2024 -4.3% 8.4%
2023 -7.7% 5.9%
2022 10.6% 13.7%
2021 7.8% 6.7%
2020 5.6% 3.4%
2019 2.3% 4.5%
2018 0.6% 2.9%
2017 5% 3.7%
2016 4.4% 7%
2015 -0.7% 15.5%
2014 4.7% 7.8%
2013 7.4% 6.8%
2012 6.4% 5.1%
2011 11.8% 8.4%
2010 2.2% 6.8%
2009 -6.8% 11.6%
2008 26.4% 14.1%
2007 8.7% 9%
2006 6.8% 9.7%
2005 10.6% 12.7%
2004 16.4% 10.9%
2003 35.7% 13.7%
2002 - 15.8%
2001 - 21.5%
2000 - 20.8%
1999 - 85.7%
1998 - 27.7%
1997 - 14.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 8.56% in Russia. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 8.4% in Russia.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.99M
Machinery & equipment $11K
Metals $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Russia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $43.5M
Wood & paper products $15.3M
Raw agricultural goods $10.7M
Raw materials & minerals $7.37M
Transport & tourism services $4.74M
Miscellaneous $2.75M
Manufacturing & construction services $2M
Weapons & explosives $1.16M
Machinery & equipment $1.02M
Chemicals & pharma $677K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Russia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$63.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
12/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+2.91%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$302B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$434B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$81.5B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$43.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
17.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
21.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Russia
Economic freedom 53 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 161/197
Property rights 3.6 18.6
Government integrity 13.5 22.8
Judicial effectiveness 0 22.8
Tax burden 92 81.9
Government spending 90.8 61.3
Fiscal health 98.4 94.4
Business freedom 33.7 51.4
Labor freedom 44.4 59.1
Monetary freedom 84.9 61.8
Trade freedom 68.6 69.4
Investment freedom 10 30
Financial freedom 10 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Russia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Russia
2026 - 50.3
2025 - 51.6
2024 - 52
2023 - 53.8
2022 - 56.1
2021 53 61.5
2020 54.7 61
2019 51.5 58.9
2018 51.3 58.2
2017 48.9 57.1
2016 - 50.6
2015 - 52.1
2014 - 51.9
2013 - 51.1
2012 - 50.5
2011 - 50.5
2010 - 50.3
2009 - 50.8
2008 - 49.8
2007 - 52.2
2006 - 52.4
2005 - 51.3
2004 - 52.8
2003 - 50.8
2002 - 48.7
2001 - 49.8
2000 - 51.8
1999 - 54.5
1998 - 52.8
1997 - 48.6
1996 - 51.6
1995 - 51.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 50.3 for Russia, ranking 161/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Russia
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
30.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
2.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$2.24T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$46,780
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$597B
2023
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
6/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$9.37B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$9.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$170M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
2.65%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
12.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
26.3%
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/russia | 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1885–1996, 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 (2019–2021, 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.