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Economy of Afghanistan vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 139/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Afghanistan vs Rwanda GDP by year

Afghanistan
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Rwanda
2025 - $16,372,132,990
2024 $17,778,508,876 $15,111,064,182
2023 $17,152,234,637 $14,806,501,437
2022 $14,497,243,872 $13,747,404,814
2021 $14,259,995,441 $11,252,894,910
2020 $19,955,929,052 $10,487,146,253
2019 $18,799,444,490 $10,519,272,170
2018 $18,053,222,687 $9,650,161,136
2017 $18,753,456,498 $9,164,345,443
2016 $18,116,572,395 $8,596,812,241
2015 $19,134,221,645 $8,447,064,079
2014 $20,497,128,556 $8,129,984,484
2013 $20,146,416,758 $7,714,276,920
2012 $19,907,329,778 $7,556,673,276
2011 $17,805,098,206 $6,802,676,034
2010 $15,856,668,556 $6,052,276,078
2009 $12,416,152,732 $5,603,399,015
2008 $10,109,297,048 $5,120,655,375
2007 $9,747,886,187 $4,017,977,507
2006 $6,971,758,282 $3,274,207,945
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 - - $1,124 -
2024 $417 - $1,060 $3,711
2023 $414 $2,202 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $357 $2,123 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $356 $2,144 $843 $2,733
2020 $511 $2,562 $803 $2,285
2019 $497 $2,583 $823 $2,336
2018 $491 $2,432 $773 $2,125
2017 $525 $2,336 $751 $1,968
2016 $522 $2,213 $721 $1,866
2015 $566 $2,284 $726 $1,781
2014 $625 $2,224 $715 $1,678
2013 $637 $2,133 $695 $1,512
2012 $651 $1,988 $698 $1,455
2011 $607 $1,744 $643 $1,413
2010 $561 $1,766 $587 $1,314
2009 $452 $1,571 $557 $1,241
2008 $382 $1,334 $522 $1,191
2007 $376 $1,287 $421 $1,079
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $352 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $1,124 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
$17.8B
2024
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
142/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
168/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.36%
2025
Population
45682388
15062056

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
2025 20% 7.98% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 17% 8.25% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 28.7% 59%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 31% 66.2%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 28% 6.14% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 27.7% 8% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 28% 8.44% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 25% 6.9% 26.5% 27%
2012 25% 6.76% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 25% 18.9%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 24.1% 19%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 15.1% 245% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 6.94% 346% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 - - 19.3% 85.2%
2000 - - 18.5% 87.2%
1999 - - 22.7% 79.5%
1998 - - 16.6% 71.1%
1997 - - 17.2% 73.3%
1996 - - 19.8% 84.6%
1995 - - 18.3% 102.2%
1994 - - 13.5% -
1993 - - 20.6% -
1992 - - 21.8% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 181/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Rwanda
2025 -0.89% -4.49%
2024 -0.55% -6.19%
2023 -1.33% -4.88%
2022 -1% -5.56%
2021 -0.48% -6.89%
2020 -2.24% -9.26%
2019 -1.06% -5%
2018 1.63% -2.57%
2017 -0.67% -2.54%
2016 0.13% -2.3%
2015 -1.38% -2.71%
2014 -1.72% -3.97%
2013 -0.63% -1.29%
2012 0.18% -2.41%
2011 -0.67% -0.87%
2010 0.93% -0.65%
2009 -1.76% 0.26%
2008 -3.86% 0.84%
2007 -2.46% -1.58%
2006 0.68% -0.03%
2005 -0.92% 1.14%
2004 -2.39% 2.31%
2003 -2.1% -1.25%
2002 -0.1% -2.06%
2001 - -1.83%
2000 - -0.22%
1999 - -4.48%
1998 - -2.63%
1997 - -2.25%
1996 - -5.08%
1995 - -2.07%
1994 - -9.68%
1993 - -6.7%
1992 - -7.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.19% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.5% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Rwanda
2025 2.9% 5.91%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 7.48% in Rwanda. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 5.91% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $343K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Rwanda
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-12%
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
68.1%
2024
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
21.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
45.2%
2024
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
128/177
2025
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
0.38%
2024
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
34.1%
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/rwanda | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2025, 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.