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Economy of Afghanistan vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 139/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Afghanistan vs Samoa GDP by year

Afghanistan
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Samoa
2025 - $1,287,936,622
2024 $17,778,508,876 $1,175,749,786
2023 $17,152,234,637 $1,044,909,500
2022 $14,497,243,872 $889,554,712
2021 $14,259,995,441 $859,724,936
2020 $19,955,929,052 $868,884,903
2019 $18,799,444,490 $912,950,466
2018 $18,053,222,687 $878,448,433
2017 $18,753,456,498 $884,844,384
2016 $18,116,572,395 $843,924,797
2015 $19,134,221,645 $824,150,499
2014 $20,497,128,556 $796,683,520
2013 $20,146,416,758 $797,736,334
2012 $19,907,329,778 $773,141,661
2011 $17,805,098,206 $744,097,050
2010 $15,856,668,556 $680,260,907
2009 $12,416,152,732 $628,006,115
2008 $10,109,297,048 $641,346,192
2007 $9,747,886,187 $573,548,460
2006 $6,971,758,282 $499,923,758
2005 $6,203,256,539 $476,801,793
2004 $5,224,896,719 $407,747,565
2003 $4,520,946,819 $333,426,188
2002 $3,825,701,439 $281,790,134
2001 $2,813,571,754 $266,299,591
2000 $3,521,418,060 $258,856,140
1999 - $255,408,060
1998 - $269,485,244
1997 - $285,475,592
1996 - $249,907,869
1995 - $224,865,731
1994 - $221,098,107
1993 - $133,122,897
1992 - $132,303,041
1991 - $125,597,205
1990 - $125,766,270
1989 - $122,888,610
1988 - $133,016,065
1987 - $111,713,922
1986 - $100,947,849
1985 - $95,572,173
1984 - $109,200,934
1983 - $111,862,824
1982 - $121,221,652
1981 - $118,190,655
1980 - $125,747,038
1979 - $122,257,393
1978 - $108,223,444
1977 - $98,295,671
1976 - $85,003,078
1975 - $93,489,283
1974 - $93,549,611
1973 - $82,452,985
1972 - $62,566,116
1971 - $53,719,569
1970 - $45,208,338

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Samoa by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $5,873 -
2024 $417 - $5,393 $8,737
2023 $414 $2,202 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $357 $2,123 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $356 $2,144 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $511 $2,562 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $497 $2,583 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $491 $2,432 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $525 $2,336 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $522 $2,213 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $566 $2,284 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $625 $2,224 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $637 $2,133 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $651 $1,988 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $607 $1,744 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $561 $1,766 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $452 $1,571 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $382 $1,334 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $376 $1,287 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $221.8 $972 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $198.9 $967 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $179 $927 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $138.7 $748 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $174.9 $814 $1,425 $3,062
1999 - - $1,417 $2,871
1998 - - $1,506 $2,792
1997 - - $1,608 $2,722
1996 - - $1,419 $2,681
1995 - - $1,288 $2,478
1994 - - $1,277 $2,294
1993 - - $775 $2,323
1992 - - $777 $2,198
1991 - - $742 $2,166
1990 - - $744 $2,148
1989 - - $728 -
1988 - - $790 -
1987 - - $666 -
1986 - - $604 -
1985 - - $573 -
1984 - - $655 -
1983 - - $671 -
1982 - - $728 -
1981 - - $713 -
1980 - - $765 -
1979 - - $751 -
1978 - - $671 -
1977 - - $615 -
1976 - - $541 -
1975 - - $610 -
1974 - - $626 -
1973 - - $563 -
1972 - - $433 -
1971 - - $377 -
1970 - - $322 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Samoa
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
186/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
137/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$3,918
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.05%
2022
Population
45682388
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 17% 8.25% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 31.1% 41%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 28% 6.14% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 30% 49.4%
2017 27.7% 8% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 28% 8.44% 27.3% 49%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 25% 6.9% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 25% 6.76% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 18.3% 23% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 15.1% 245% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 6.94% 346% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 - - 30% 53.8%
2000 - - 30.4% 55.8%
1999 - - 33.8% 59.4%
1998 - - 28.1% 58.9%
1997 - - 31% -
1996 - - 38.9% -
1995 - - 42.2% -
1994 - - 54.1% -
1993 - - 49.5% -
1992 - - 43.4% -

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

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 181/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Samoa
2025 -0.89% 4.68%
2024 -0.55% 9.29%
2023 -1.33% 2.7%
2022 -1% 5.03%
2021 -0.48% 1.71%
2020 -2.24% 5.41%
2019 -1.06% 1.51%
2018 1.63% 0.06%
2017 -0.67% -1.98%
2016 0.13% -0.35%
2015 -1.38% -3.79%
2014 -1.72% -5.38%
2013 -0.63% -3.82%
2012 0.18% -7.43%
2011 -0.67% -5.25%
2010 0.93% -5.49%
2009 -1.76% -2.98%
2008 -3.86% -0.36%
2007 -2.46% 0.55%
2006 0.68% -0.44%
2005 -0.92% 0.23%
2004 -2.39% -0.74%
2003 -2.1% -0.51%
2002 -0.1% -1.77%
2001 - -1.96%
2000 - -0.62%
1999 - 0.27%
1998 - 1.64%
1997 - 1.92%
1996 - 1.21%
1995 - -5.82%
1994 - -9.51%
1993 - -13.2%
1992 - -9.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.6% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Samoa
2025 2.9% 2.21%
2024 -4.3% 2.17%
2023 -7.7% 7.92%
2022 10.6% 11%
2021 7.8% 3.13%
2020 5.6% -1.57%
2019 2.3% 0.98%
2018 0.6% 4.2%
2017 5% 1.75%
2016 4.4% 1.3%
2015 -0.7% 0.72%
2014 4.7% -0.41%
2013 7.4% 0.61%
2012 6.4% 2.05%
2011 11.8% 5.24%
2010 2.2% 0.78%
2009 -6.8% 6.32%
2008 26.4% 11.6%
2007 8.7% 5.58%
2006 6.8% 3.7%
2005 10.6% 1.86%
2004 16.4% 16.3%
2003 35.7% 0.12%
2002 - 8.05%
2001 - 3.84%
2000 - 0.97%
1999 - 0.27%
1998 - 2.22%
1997 - 6.86%

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/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.82%, compared with 3.8% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Samoa
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$108M
2025
Service exports
$700M
2020
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Samoa
Economic freedom 53 68
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 52/197
Property rights 3.6 77.1
Government integrity 13.5 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 0 77.6
Tax burden 92 79.3
Government spending 90.8 75.2
Fiscal health 98.4 98.7
Business freedom 33.7 63.7
Labor freedom 44.4 73.7
Monetary freedom 84.9 69.4
Trade freedom 68.6 67.2
Investment freedom 10 40
Financial freedom 10 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Samoa
2026 - 68
2025 - 66.6
2024 - 67.2
2023 - 68.3
2022 - 68.3
2021 53 61.9
2020 54.7 62.1
2019 51.5 62.2
2018 51.3 61.5
2017 48.9 58.4
2016 - 63.5
2015 - 61.9
2014 - 61.1
2013 - 57.1
2012 - 60.5
2011 - 60.6
2010 - 60.4
2009 - 59.5
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - 63.1
2000 - 60.8
1999 - 58.7
1998 - 49.9
1997 - 51.5
1996 - 47.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Samoa
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
30%
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/samoa | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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)

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.