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Economy of Afghanistan vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 137/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Afghanistan vs Serbia GDP by year

Afghanistan
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Serbia
2024 - $90,097,765,959
2023 $17,152,234,637 $81,343,999,280
2022 $14,497,243,872 $66,809,895,701
2021 $14,259,995,441 $66,159,884,073
2020 $19,955,929,052 $55,874,017,669
2019 $18,799,444,490 $53,864,693,665
2018 $18,053,222,687 $52,787,520,249
2017 $18,753,456,498 $45,972,834,714
2016 $18,116,572,395 $42,225,495,910
2015 $19,134,221,645 $41,297,410,635
2014 $20,497,128,556 $49,114,321,280
2013 $20,146,416,758 $50,455,529,604
2012 $19,907,329,778 $45,103,269,969
2011 $17,805,098,206 $51,251,098,408
2010 $15,856,668,556 $43,536,629,233
2009 $12,416,152,732 $46,955,984,410
2008 $10,109,297,048 $54,220,641,202
2007 $9,747,886,187 $44,888,028,946
2006 $6,971,758,282 $33,298,057,362
2005 $6,203,256,539 $28,334,256,181
2004 $5,224,896,719 $26,845,632,342
2003 $4,520,946,819 $23,593,044,418
2002 $3,825,701,439 $17,930,583,571
2001 $2,813,571,754 $13,599,378,662
2000 $3,521,418,060 $7,326,373,882
1999 - $20,878,694,851
1998 - $21,004,077,441
1997 - $27,153,408,995
1996 - $23,277,430,168
1995 - $17,921,892,655

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Serbia by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $13,679 $32,832
2023 $414 $2,202 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $357 $2,123 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $356 $2,144 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $511 $2,562 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $497 $2,583 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $491 $2,432 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $525 $2,336 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $522 $2,213 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $566 $2,284 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $625 $2,224 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $637 $2,133 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $651 $1,988 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $607 $1,744 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $561 $1,766 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $452 $1,571 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $382 $1,334 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $376 $1,287 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $221.8 $972 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $198.9 $967 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $179 $927 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $138.7 $748 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $174.9 $814 $975 $6,416
1999 - - $2,769 $5,897
1998 - - $2,775 $6,460
1997 - - $3,574 $6,040
1996 - - $3,054 $5,434
1995 - - $2,349 $5,022

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Serbia
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
76/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
69/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
7.24%
2024
Population
45409324
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 17% 8.42% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 46% 54.3%
2019 28% 6.14% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 39% 51.1%
2017 27.7% 8% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 28% 8.44% 40.3% 65%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 41% 67.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 25% 6.92% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 25% 6.77% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 40% 42%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 40.6% 30%
2006 18.3% 23% 41.3% 37%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 15.1% 245% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 6.94% 346% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 - - 30.5% 95.9%
2000 - - 28% 200.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 181/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Serbia
2024 -0.54% -1.75%
2023 -1.33% -1.21%
2022 -1% -0.14%
2021 -0.48% -3.16%
2020 -2.24% -6.91%
2019 -1.06% -0.004%
2018 1.63% 0.78%
2017 -0.67% 1.32%
2016 0.13% -1.08%
2015 -1.38% -3.25%
2014 -1.72% -5.61%
2013 -0.63% -4.79%
2012 0.18% -6.11%
2011 -0.67% -3.75%
2010 0.93% -3.35%
2009 -1.76% -3.3%
2008 -3.86% -4.25%
2007 -2.46% -0.8%
2006 0.68% -0.9%
2005 -0.92% 1.02%
2004 -2.39% 0.06%
2003 -2.1% -2.39%
2002 -0.1% -2.33%
2001 - 0.32%
2000 - -0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $985M, or 1.21% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.28% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Serbia
2024 -4.3% 4.67%
2023 -7.7% 12.4%
2022 10.6% 12%
2021 7.8% 4.09%
2020 5.6% 1.58%
2019 2.3% 1.85%
2018 0.6% 1.96%
2017 5% 3.13%
2016 4.4% 1.12%
2015 -0.7% 1.39%
2014 4.7% 2.08%
2013 7.4% 7.69%
2012 6.4% 7.33%
2011 11.8% 11.1%
2010 2.2% 6.14%
2009 -6.8% 8.12%
2008 26.4% 12.4%
2007 8.7% 6.39%
2006 6.8% 11.7%
2005 10.6% 16.1%
2004 16.4% 11%
2003 35.7% 9.88%
2002 - 19.5%
2001 - 95%
2000 - 71.1%
1999 - 42.5%
1998 - 30.2%
1997 - 23.3%

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/serbia | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 7.01% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Serbia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1.63M
Machinery & equipment $555K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $43K
Raw agricultural goods $38K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Serbia
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Serbia
Economic freedom 53 65
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 68/197
Property rights 3.6 57.2
Government integrity 13.5 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 0 50.1
Tax burden 92 88
Government spending 90.8 48.2
Fiscal health 98.4 94.3
Business freedom 33.7 73.6
Labor freedom 44.4 61.8
Monetary freedom 84.9 73
Trade freedom 68.6 76.6
Investment freedom 10 70
Financial freedom 10 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Serbia
2026 - 65
2025 - 64.4
2024 - 62.7
2023 - 63.5
2022 - 65.2
2021 53 67.2
2020 54.7 66
2019 51.5 63.9
2018 51.3 62.5
2017 48.9 58.9
2016 - 62.1
2015 - 60
2014 - 59.4
2013 - 58.6
2012 - 58
2011 - 58
2010 - 56.9
2009 - 56.6
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - 43.5
2002 - 46.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Serbia
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
25%
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/serbia | 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 (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.