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Economy of Afghanistan vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 137/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Afghanistan vs Samoa GDP by year

Afghanistan
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Samoa
2024 - $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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 - - $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 (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. 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
$17.2B
2023
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
185/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
137/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$3,750
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
19.4%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
5.05%
2022
Population
45409324
220932

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
2024 19.4% 8.8% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 17% 8.42% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 31.1% 41%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 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% 6.92% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 25% 6.77% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 181/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Samoa
2024 -0.54% 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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $28.2M, or 2.7% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.05% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Samoa
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 3.88% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.17% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Samoa
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$128M
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
30.7%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
46.4%
2023
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$1.69M
2024
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
0.25%
2023
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
29%
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/samoa | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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)

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.