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Economy of Afghanistan vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 137/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Afghanistan vs Rwanda GDP by year

Afghanistan
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Rwanda
2024 - $14,251,642,235
2023 $17,152,234,637 $14,331,722,703
2022 $14,497,243,872 $13,316,161,002
2021 $14,259,995,441 $11,078,787,090
2020 $19,955,929,052 $10,174,386,857
2019 $18,799,444,490 $10,349,300,277
2018 $18,053,222,687 $9,637,904,521
2017 $18,753,456,498 $9,252,833,891
2016 $18,116,572,395 $8,695,272,058
2015 $19,134,221,645 $8,543,760,200
2014 $20,497,128,556 $8,238,966,124
2013 $20,146,416,758 $7,819,964,030
2012 $19,907,329,778 $7,654,761,050
2011 $17,805,098,206 $6,884,913,658
2010 $15,856,668,556 $6,124,756,654
2009 $12,416,152,732 $5,674,476,969
2008 $10,109,297,048 $5,179,854,065
2007 $9,747,886,187 $4,070,507,895
2006 $6,971,758,282 $3,319,784,539
2005 $6,203,256,539 $2,933,819,766
2004 $5,224,896,719 $2,376,496,067
2003 $4,520,946,819 $2,138,237,279
2002 $3,825,701,439 $1,966,003,468
2001 $2,813,571,754 $1,966,600,715
2000 $3,521,418,060 $2,068,836,754
1999 - $2,157,108,263
1998 - $1,989,343,546
1997 - $1,851,558,197
1996 - $1,382,334,879
1995 - $1,293,535,193
1994 - $753,636,370
1993 - $1,971,525,712
1992 - $2,029,026,962
1991 - $1,911,600,237
1990 - $2,550,185,679
1989 - $2,405,022,593
1988 - $2,395,492,687
1987 - $2,157,432,668
1986 - $1,944,710,684
1985 - $1,715,626,331
1984 - $1,587,413,084
1983 - $1,479,687,587
1982 - $1,407,243,139
1981 - $1,407,062,527
1980 - $1,254,765,642
1979 - $1,109,346,131
1978 - $905,709,076
1977 - $746,650,613
1976 - $637,753,853
1975 - $571,863,500
1974 - $308,458,423
1973 - $290,746,157
1972 - $246,457,838
1971 - $222,952,504
1970 - $219,900,006
1969 - $188,700,037
1968 - $172,200,018
1967 - $159,560,018
1966 - $124,525,703
1965 - $148,799,980
1964 - $129,999,994
1963 - $128,000,000
1962 - $125,000,008
1961 - $122,000,016
1960 - $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Rwanda by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,000 $3,711
2023 $414 $2,202 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $357 $2,123 $975 $3,099
2021 $356 $2,144 $830 $2,733
2020 $511 $2,562 $779 $2,285
2019 $497 $2,583 $810 $2,336
2018 $491 $2,432 $772 $2,125
2017 $525 $2,336 $758 $1,968
2016 $522 $2,213 $730 $1,866
2015 $566 $2,284 $734 $1,781
2014 $625 $2,224 $725 $1,678
2013 $637 $2,133 $705 $1,512
2012 $651 $1,988 $707 $1,455
2011 $607 $1,744 $651 $1,413
2010 $561 $1,766 $594 $1,314
2009 $452 $1,571 $564 $1,241
2008 $382 $1,334 $528 $1,191
2007 $376 $1,287 $426 $1,079
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $357 $1,002
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $324 $914
2004 $221.8 $972 $269.5 $832
2003 $198.9 $967 $249 $775
2002 $179 $927 $234 $760
2001 $138.7 $748 $237.3 $670
2000 $174.9 $814 $251.9 $609
1999 - - $264.7 $554
1998 - - $246.2 $528
1997 - - $238.7 $500
1996 - - $206 $499
1995 - - $228 $514
1994 - - $111 $311
1993 - - $247 $521
1992 - - $264.1 $575
1991 - - $254 $542
1990 - - $346 $549
1989 - - $335 -
1988 - - $344 -
1987 - - $320 -
1986 - - $297.7 -
1985 - - $271.6 -
1984 - - $259.9 -
1983 - - $250.6 -
1982 - - $246.4 -
1981 - - $254.6 -
1980 - - $234.4 -
1979 - - $213.8 -
1978 - - $179.9 -
1977 - - $152.7 -
1976 - - $134.4 -
1975 - - $124.1 -
1974 - - $68.9 -
1973 - - $66.9 -
1972 - - $58.4 -
1971 - - $54.4 -
1970 - - $55.2 -
1969 - - $48.9 -
1968 - - $46 -
1967 - - $44 -
1966 - - $35.4 -
1965 - - $43.5 -
1964 - - $39 -
1963 - - $39.3 -
1962 - - $39.2 -
1961 - - $39.3 -
1960 - - $39.4 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
144/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
168/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
11.3%
2024
Population
45409324
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 17% 8.42% 27% 63.4%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 28% 6.14% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 27.7% 8% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 28% 8.44% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 25% 6.77% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 18.3% 23% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 6.94% 346% 20.5% 92%
2001 - - 19.1% 84%
2000 - - 18.2% 86%
1999 - - 22.4% 78.4%
1998 - - 16.4% 70.1%
1997 - - 17% 72.2%
1996 - - 19.5% 83.4%
1995 - - 18% 100.8%
1994 - - 13.3% -
1993 - - 20.3% -
1992 - - 21.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 181/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Rwanda
2024 -0.54% -6.57%
2023 -1.33% -5.04%
2022 -1% -5.74%
2021 -0.48% -7%
2020 -2.24% -9.54%
2019 -1.06% -5.08%
2018 1.63% -2.57%
2017 -0.67% -2.52%
2016 0.13% -2.27%
2015 -1.38% -2.68%
2014 -1.72% -3.92%
2013 -0.63% -1.27%
2012 0.18% -2.38%
2011 -0.67% -0.86%
2010 0.93% -0.64%
2009 -1.76% 0.26%
2008 -3.86% 0.83%
2007 -2.46% -1.56%
2006 0.68% -0.03%
2005 -0.92% 1.12%
2004 -2.39% 2.27%
2003 -2.1% -1.23%
2002 -0.1% -2.03%
2001 - -1.8%
2000 - -0.22%
1999 - -4.41%
1998 - -2.59%
1997 - -2.22%
1996 - -5.01%
1995 - -2.04%
1994 - -9.54%
1993 - -6.6%
1992 - -7.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $722M, or 5.04% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Rwanda
2024 -4.3% 1.77%
2023 -7.7% 19.8%
2022 10.6% 17.7%
2021 7.8% -0.39%
2020 5.6% 9.85%
2019 2.3% 3.35%
2018 0.6% -0.31%
2017 5% 8.28%
2016 4.4% 7.17%
2015 -0.7% 2.53%
2014 4.7% 2.35%
2013 7.4% 5.92%
2012 6.4% 10.3%
2011 11.8% 3.08%
2010 2.2% -0.25%
2009 -6.8% 12.9%
2008 26.4% 15.4%
2007 8.7% 9.08%
2006 6.8% 8.88%
2005 10.6% 9.01%
2004 16.4% 12.3%
2003 35.7% 7.45%
2002 - 1.99%
2001 - 3.34%
2000 - 3.9%
1999 - -2.41%
1998 - 6.21%
1997 - 12%

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/rwanda | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 7.55% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $399K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Rwanda
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$991M
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Rwanda
Economic freedom 53 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 121/197
Property rights 3.6 60.3
Government integrity 13.5 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 0 27.5
Tax burden 92 80.6
Government spending 90.8 75.7
Fiscal health 98.4 37.5
Business freedom 33.7 60.1
Labor freedom 44.4 49.1
Monetary freedom 84.9 72.3
Trade freedom 68.6 61.8
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Rwanda
2026 - 56.5
2025 - 54.8
2024 - 51.6
2023 - 52.2
2022 - 57.1
2021 53 68.3
2020 54.7 70.9
2019 51.5 71.1
2018 51.3 69.1
2017 48.9 67.6
2016 - 63.1
2015 - 64.8
2014 - 64.7
2013 - 64.1
2012 - 64.9
2011 - 62.7
2010 - 59.1
2009 - 54.2
2008 - 54.2
2007 - 52.4
2006 - 52.8
2005 - 51.7
2004 - 53.3
2003 - 47.8
2002 - 50.4
2001 - 45.4
2000 - 42.3
1999 - 39.8
1998 - 39.1
1997 - 38.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
25.9%
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/rwanda | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.