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Economy of Afghanistan vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 137/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Afghanistan vs Singapore GDP by year

Afghanistan
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Singapore
2024 - $547,386,645,892
2023 $17,152,234,637 $505,439,514,078
2022 $14,497,243,872 $509,017,841,147
2021 $14,259,995,441 $436,591,382,250
2020 $19,955,929,052 $349,165,858,545
2019 $18,799,444,490 $376,161,998,830
2018 $18,053,222,687 $377,123,710,561
2017 $18,753,456,498 $343,673,334,902
2016 $18,116,572,395 $319,646,468,521
2015 $19,134,221,645 $307,998,545,269
2014 $20,497,128,556 $314,863,580,758
2013 $20,146,416,758 $307,576,360,585
2012 $19,907,329,778 $295,092,888,077
2011 $17,805,098,206 $279,356,499,090
2010 $15,856,668,556 $239,807,980,591
2009 $12,416,152,732 $194,150,283,772
2008 $10,109,297,048 $193,617,323,539
2007 $9,747,886,187 $180,941,701,358
2006 $6,971,758,282 $148,627,286,361
2005 $6,203,256,539 $127,807,848,728
2004 $5,224,896,719 $115,033,593,101
2003 $4,520,946,819 $97,646,401,096
2002 $3,825,701,439 $92,538,372,870
2001 $2,813,571,754 $89,793,790,670
2000 $3,521,418,060 $96,076,539,926
1999 - $86,286,849,755
1998 - $85,728,207,782
1997 - $100,123,787,215
1996 - $96,293,086,513
1995 - $87,812,540,788
1994 - $73,688,724,431
1993 - $60,603,815,716
1992 - $52,131,320,033
1991 - $45,466,164,978
1990 - $36,144,336,769
1989 - $30,465,364,739
1988 - $25,371,462,488
1987 - $20,919,215,578
1986 - $18,586,746,057
1985 - $19,156,532,746
1984 - $19,749,361,098
1983 - $17,784,112,150
1982 - $16,084,252,378
1981 - $14,175,228,844
1980 - $11,896,256,783
1979 - $9,296,921,724
1978 - $7,517,176,355
1977 - $6,618,585,074
1976 - $6,327,077,974
1975 - $5,633,673,930
1974 - $5,221,534,956
1973 - $3,696,213,333
1972 - $2,721,440,981
1971 - $2,263,785,444
1970 - $1,920,574,150
1969 - $1,659,893,768
1968 - $1,425,706,091
1967 - $1,238,035,816
1966 - $1,096,425,608
1965 - $974,644,096
1964 - $894,153,311
1963 - $917,608,012
1962 - $826,239,212
1961 - $764,629,788
1960 - $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Singapore by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $90,674 $150,689
2023 $414 $2,202 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $357 $2,123 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $356 $2,144 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $511 $2,562 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $497 $2,583 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $491 $2,432 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $525 $2,336 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $522 $2,213 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $566 $2,284 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $625 $2,224 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $637 $2,133 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $651 $1,988 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $607 $1,744 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $561 $1,766 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $452 $1,571 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $382 $1,334 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $376 $1,287 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $221.8 $972 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $198.9 $967 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $179 $927 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $138.7 $748 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $174.9 $814 $23,853 $43,781
1999 - - $21,797 $39,949
1998 - - $21,829 $37,560
1997 - - $26,376 $39,286
1996 - - $26,233 $36,873
1995 - - $24,915 $35,090
1994 - - $21,552 $33,058
1993 - - $18,290 $30,062
1992 - - $16,136 $27,022
1991 - - $14,502 $25,530
1990 - - $11,862 $23,815
1989 - - $10,395 -
1988 - - $8,914 -
1987 - - $7,539 -
1986 - - $6,800 -
1985 - - $7,002 -
1984 - - $7,228 -
1983 - - $6,633 -
1982 - - $6,078 -
1981 - - $5,597 -
1980 - - $4,928 -
1979 - - $3,901 -
1978 - - $3,194 -
1977 - - $2,846 -
1976 - - $2,759 -
1975 - - $2,490 -
1974 - - $2,342 -
1973 - - $1,685 -
1972 - - $1,264 -
1971 - - $1,071 -
1970 - - $926 -
1969 - - $813 -
1968 - - $709 -
1967 - - $626 -
1966 - - $567 -
1965 - - $517 -
1964 - - $486 -
1963 - - $511 -
1962 - - $472 -
1961 - - $449 -
1960 - - $428 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Singapore
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$547B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
28/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
2/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
2.74%
2024
Population
45409324
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 17% 8.42% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 15% 154.3%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 28% 6.14% 14% 127.9%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 27.7% 8% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 28% 8.44% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 25% 6.92% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 25% 6.77% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 14% 97.9%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 18.3% 23% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 15.1% 245% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 - - 18.2% 94.5%
2000 - - 16.1% 82.3%
1999 - - 15.9% 85.3%
1998 - - 18.1% 84.6%
1997 - - 14.5% 70.8%
1996 - - 18.1% 71.3%
1995 - - 13.8% 69.8%
1994 - - 11.7% 70.7%
1993 - - 14.5% 71.2%
1992 - - 14.5% 79%
1991 - - 15.9% 76.4%
1990 - - 15.1% 73.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 181/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Singapore
2024 -0.54% 4.44%
2023 -1.33% 3.47%
2022 -1% 1.21%
2021 -0.48% 1.13%
2020 -2.24% -6.73%
2019 -1.06% 3.77%
2018 1.63% 3.68%
2017 -0.67% 5.24%
2016 0.13% 3.25%
2015 -1.38% 2.86%
2014 -1.72% 4.6%
2013 -0.63% 5.96%
2012 0.18% 7.34%
2011 -0.67% 7.96%
2010 0.93% 5.68%
2009 -1.76% -0.09%
2008 -3.86% 3.59%
2007 -2.46% 7.12%
2006 0.68% 2.16%
2005 -0.92% 2.56%
2004 -2.39% 2.06%
2003 -2.1% 0.68%
2002 -0.1% 2.23%
2001 - 1.2%
2000 - 4.59%
1999 - 5.2%
1998 - 2.41%
1997 - 5.66%
1996 - 1.98%
1995 - 4.8%
1994 - 7.9%
1993 - 4.36%
1992 - 2.7%
1991 - 0.68%
1990 - 1.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $17.5B, or 3.47% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.17% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Singapore
2024 -4.3% 2.39%
2023 -7.7% 4.83%
2022 10.6% 6.13%
2021 7.8% 2.32%
2020 5.6% -0.17%
2019 2.3% 0.57%
2018 0.6% 0.44%
2017 5% 0.58%
2016 4.4% -0.53%
2015 -0.7% -0.52%
2014 4.7% 1.03%
2013 7.4% 2.36%
2012 6.4% 4.58%
2011 11.8% 5.25%
2010 2.2% 2.83%
2009 -6.8% 0.59%
2008 26.4% 6.64%
2007 8.7% 2.11%
2006 6.8% 0.97%
2005 10.6% 0.43%
2004 16.4% 1.66%
2003 35.7% 0.51%
2002 - -0.39%
2001 - 1%
2000 - 1.36%
1999 - 0.02%
1998 - -0.27%
1997 - 2%

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/singapore | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.04% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $39K
Textiles & consumer goods $32K
Singapore
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.77M
Machinery & equipment $664K
Raw agricultural goods $126K
Chemicals & pharma $125K
Miscellaneous $93K
Textiles & consumer goods $26K
Raw materials & minerals $19K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Singapore
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$583B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$351B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Singapore
Economic freedom 53 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 1/197
Property rights 3.6 89.2
Government integrity 13.5 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 0 58.3
Tax burden 92 89.5
Government spending 90.8 93.4
Fiscal health 98.4 80
Business freedom 33.7 90.6
Labor freedom 44.4 77
Monetary freedom 84.9 83.5
Trade freedom 68.6 95
Investment freedom 10 90
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Singapore
2026 - 84.4
2025 - 84.1
2024 - 83.5
2023 - 83.9
2022 - 84.4
2021 53 89.7
2020 54.7 89.4
2019 51.5 89.4
2018 51.3 88.8
2017 48.9 88.6
2016 - 87.8
2015 - 89.4
2014 - 89.4
2013 - 88
2012 - 87.5
2011 - 87.2
2010 - 86.1
2009 - 87.1
2008 - 87.3
2007 - 87.1
2006 - 88
2005 - 88.6
2004 - 88.9
2003 - 88.2
2002 - 87.4
2001 - 87.8
2000 - 87.7
1999 - 86.9
1998 - 87
1997 - 87.3
1996 - 86.5
1995 - 86.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Singapore
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$55.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
22.2%
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/singapore | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2019–2024, 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.