Skip to content

Economy of Afghanistan vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 137/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Afghanistan vs South Korea GDP by year

Afghanistan
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan South Korea
2024 - $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $17,152,234,637 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $14,497,243,872 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $14,259,995,441 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $19,955,929,052 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $18,799,444,490 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $18,053,222,687 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $18,753,456,498 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $18,116,572,395 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $19,134,221,645 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $20,497,128,556 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $20,146,416,758 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $19,907,329,778 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $17,805,098,206 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $15,856,668,556 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $12,416,152,732 $983,065,242,417
2008 $10,109,297,048 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $9,747,886,187 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $6,971,758,282 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $6,203,256,539 $971,740,329,984
2004 $5,224,896,719 $823,251,107,639
2003 $4,520,946,819 $728,516,494,684
2002 $3,825,701,439 $650,014,391,470
2001 $2,813,571,754 $567,564,806,235
2000 $3,521,418,060 $597,487,173,479
1999 - $515,697,079,289
1998 - $397,297,216,492
1997 - $589,202,526,424
1996 - $631,196,863,758
1995 - $586,286,469,401
1994 - $479,181,794,217
1993 - $405,705,302,846
1992 - $366,921,291,825
1991 - $340,851,946,804
1990 - $292,064,221,389
1989 - $254,236,243,100
1988 - $205,477,530,605
1987 - $152,240,393,646
1986 - $119,965,960,795
1985 - $103,764,281,281
1984 - $99,749,645,089
1983 - $89,621,208,322
1982 - $79,921,300,447
1981 - $74,287,368,087
1980 - $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs South Korea by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $36,239 $61,051
2023 $414 $2,202 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $357 $2,123 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $356 $2,144 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $511 $2,562 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $497 $2,583 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $491 $2,432 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $525 $2,336 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $522 $2,213 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $566 $2,284 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $625 $2,224 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $637 $2,133 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $651 $1,988 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $607 $1,744 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $561 $1,766 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $452 $1,571 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $382 $1,334 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $376 $1,287 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $221.8 $972 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $198.9 $967 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $179 $927 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $138.7 $748 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $174.9 $814 $12,710 $19,237
1999 - - $11,063 $17,421
1998 - - $8,583 $15,500
1997 - - $12,822 $16,241
1996 - - $13,865 $15,164
1995 - - $13,002 $13,921
1994 - - $10,734 $12,551
1993 - - $9,180 $11,349
1992 - - $8,387 $10,468
1991 - - $7,873 $9,724
1990 - - $6,813 $8,567
1989 - - $5,989 -
1988 - - $4,889 -
1987 - - $3,658 -
1986 - - $2,911 -
1985 - - $2,543 -
1984 - - $2,469 -
1983 - - $2,246 -
1982 - - $2,032 -
1981 - - $1,918 -
1980 - - $1,746 -
1979 - - $1,814 -
1978 - - $1,429 -
1977 - - $1,073 -
1976 - - $847 -
1975 - - $627 -
1974 - - $572 -
1973 - - $412 -
1972 - - $328 -
1971 - - $304 -
1970 - - $281.8 -
1969 - - $245.5 -
1968 - - $200 -
1967 - - $162.5 -
1966 - - $134.4 -
1965 - - $109.4 -
1964 - - $124.2 -
1963 - - $147 -
1962 - - $106.6 -
1961 - - $94.2 -
1960 - - $158.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan South Korea
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
12/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
33/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
2.78%
2024
Population
45409324
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 17% 8.42% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 24.1% 48%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 28% 6.14% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 27.7% 8% 18.6% 38%
2016 28% 8.44% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 25% 6.92% 19% 36%
2012 25% 6.77% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 18.3% 23% 18.7% 27%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 6.94% 346% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 - - 16.9% 16.6%
2000 - - 16% 16.1%
1999 - - 16.1% 15.8%
1998 - - 16% 13.8%
1997 - - 13.9% 9.69%
1996 - - 14% 7.81%
1995 - - 13.5% 8.48%
1994 - - 15.4% 9.63%
1993 - - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 - - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 - - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 - - 15.2% 12.8%
1989 - - 15% 12.4%
1988 - - 13.9% 12.7%
1987 - - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 - - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 - - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 - - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 - - 16% 19.3%
1982 - - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 - - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 - - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 - - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 - - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 - - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 - - 17% 20.4%
1975 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 - - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 - - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 - - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 - - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 - - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 - - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 - - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 - - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 - - 16% 4.44%
1965 - - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 - - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 - - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 - - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 181/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan South Korea
2024 -0.54% -0.78%
2023 -1.33% -0.67%
2022 -1% -1.49%
2021 -0.48% -0.02%
2020 -2.24% -2.11%
2019 -1.06% 0.35%
2018 1.63% 2.42%
2017 -0.67% 2.08%
2016 0.13% 1.56%
2015 -1.38% 0.5%
2014 -1.72% 0.57%
2013 -0.63% 0.79%
2012 0.18% 1.63%
2011 -0.67% 1.72%
2010 0.93% 1.61%
2009 -1.76% 0.24%
2008 -3.86% 1.58%
2007 -2.46% 2.49%
2006 0.68% 1.18%
2005 -0.92% 0.95%
2004 -2.39% 0.09%
2003 -2.1% 1.51%
2002 -0.1% 3.23%
2001 - 2.42%
2000 - 3.91%
1999 - 1.15%
1998 - 1.09%
1997 - 2.31%
1996 - 2.3%
1995 - 2.16%
1994 - 2.06%
1993 - 3.21%
1992 - 2.42%
1991 - 1.94%
1990 - 2.98%
1989 - 2.27%
1988 - 2.85%
1987 - 1.7%
1986 - 0.8%
1985 - 0.47%
1984 - 0.78%
1983 - 1.05%
1982 - -0.41%
1981 - 0.99%
1980 - 0.46%
1979 - 0.47%
1978 - -0.27%
1977 - -1.81%
1976 - -0.87%
1975 - -3.68%
1974 - -2.78%
1973 - -1.72%
1972 - -4.33%
1971 - -1.3%
1970 - -0.52%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.36%
1967 - -2.87%
1966 - -4.27%
1965 - -3.43%
1964 - -4.1%
1963 - -4.32%
1962 - -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/south-korea | 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 South Korea's deficit of $12.3B, or 0.67% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.92% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan South Korea
2024 -4.3% 2.32%
2023 -7.7% 3.6%
2022 10.6% 5.09%
2021 7.8% 2.5%
2020 5.6% 0.54%
2019 2.3% 0.38%
2018 0.6% 1.48%
2017 5% 1.94%
2016 4.4% 0.97%
2015 -0.7% 0.71%
2014 4.7% 1.27%
2013 7.4% 1.3%
2012 6.4% 2.19%
2011 11.8% 4.03%
2010 2.2% 2.94%
2009 -6.8% 2.76%
2008 26.4% 4.67%
2007 8.7% 2.53%
2006 6.8% 2.24%
2005 10.6% 2.75%
2004 16.4% 3.59%
2003 35.7% 3.51%
2002 - 2.76%
2001 - 4.07%
2000 - 2.26%
1999 - 0.81%
1998 - 7.51%
1997 - 4.44%

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/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.42% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Metals $50K
Raw materials & minerals $17K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18.2M
Chemicals & pharma $9.25M
Machinery & equipment $3.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.17M
Raw agricultural goods $1.37M
Wood & paper products $372K
Raw materials & minerals $279K
Metals $48K
Animal & marine products $15K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan South Korea
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$696B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$163B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan South Korea
Economic freedom 53 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 24/197
Property rights 3.6 89.6
Government integrity 13.5 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 0 77.5
Tax burden 92 61.5
Government spending 90.8 82.6
Fiscal health 98.4 93.5
Business freedom 33.7 81.5
Labor freedom 44.4 55
Monetary freedom 84.9 79.3
Trade freedom 68.6 73
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan South Korea
2026 - 73.7
2025 - 74
2024 - 73.1
2023 - 73.7
2022 - 74.6
2021 53 74
2020 54.7 74
2019 51.5 72.3
2018 51.3 73.8
2017 48.9 74.3
2016 - 71.7
2015 - 71.5
2014 - 71.2
2013 - 70.3
2012 - 69.9
2011 - 69.8
2010 - 69.9
2009 - 68.1
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.8
2006 - 67.5
2005 - 66.4
2004 - 67.8
2003 - 68.3
2002 - 69.5
2001 - 69.1
2000 - 69.7
1999 - 69.7
1998 - 73.3
1997 - 69.8
1996 - 73
1995 - 72

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan South Korea
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
30%
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/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.