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Economy of Afghanistan vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 137/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

Afghanistan vs Spain GDP by year

Afghanistan
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Spain
2024 - $1,725,671,652,742
2023 $17,152,234,637 $1,619,481,980,720
2022 $14,497,243,872 $1,448,850,658,407
2021 $14,259,995,441 $1,461,244,901,853
2020 $19,955,929,052 $1,289,783,836,971
2019 $18,799,444,490 $1,403,496,387,686
2018 $18,053,222,687 $1,431,642,809,327
2017 $18,753,456,498 $1,321,754,088,819
2016 $18,116,572,395 $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $19,134,221,645 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $20,497,128,556 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $20,146,416,758 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $19,907,329,778 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $17,805,098,206 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $15,856,668,556 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $12,416,152,732 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $10,109,297,048 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $9,747,886,187 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $6,971,758,282 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $6,203,256,539 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $5,224,896,719 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $4,520,946,819 $907,963,217,058
2002 $3,825,701,439 $708,938,227,244
2001 $2,813,571,754 $627,798,682,379
2000 $3,521,418,060 $598,102,854,756
1999 - $634,394,904,387
1998 - $618,731,484,575
1997 - $589,739,772,727
1996 - $642,251,412,058
1995 - $614,170,002,669
1994 - $530,183,651,720
1993 - $524,700,572,624
1992 - $630,465,353,486
1991 - $576,753,902,322
1990 - $536,175,326,477
1989 - $414,460,794,097
1988 - $375,891,716,898
1987 - $318,520,253,335
1986 - $251,141,555,186
1985 - $180,664,322,896
1984 - $171,979,977,230
1983 - $170,829,074,246
1982 - $195,856,752,991
1981 - $202,663,023,968
1980 - $232,600,556,974
1979 - $214,448,666,336
1978 - $160,484,969,618
1977 - $132,354,665,936
1976 - $118,422,534,195
1975 - $114,695,060,870
1974 - $97,204,522,642
1973 - $78,583,355,226
1972 - $59,090,176,029
1971 - $46,586,119,760
1970 - $40,963,715,237
1969 - $37,090,689,288
1968 - $32,394,326,464
1967 - $32,570,905,397
1966 - $29,559,436,183
1965 - $25,479,619,607
1964 - $21,966,876,027
1963 - $19,631,714,760
1962 - $16,609,632,791
1961 - $14,238,126,760
1960 - $12,424,514,014

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Spain by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $35,327 $57,965
2023 $414 $2,202 $33,493 $55,682
2022 $357 $2,123 $30,319 $51,399
2021 $356 $2,144 $30,799 $44,252
2020 $511 $2,562 $27,234 $39,328
2019 $497 $2,583 $29,787 $44,043
2018 $491 $2,432 $30,602 $41,015
2017 $525 $2,336 $28,381 $39,825
2016 $522 $2,213 $26,756 $37,613
2015 $566 $2,284 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $625 $2,224 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $637 $2,133 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $651 $1,988 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $607 $1,744 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $561 $1,766 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $452 $1,571 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $382 $1,334 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $376 $1,287 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $221.8 $972 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $198.9 $967 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $179 $927 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $138.7 $748 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $174.9 $814 $14,743 $21,582
1999 - - $15,708 $19,938
1998 - - $15,382 $19,083
1997 - - $14,722 $17,903
1996 - - $16,101 $16,971
1995 - - $15,461 $16,276
1994 - - $13,406 $15,582
1993 - - $13,330 $14,973
1992 - - $16,101 $14,855
1991 - - $14,801 $14,461
1990 - - $13,795 $13,676
1989 - - $10,674 -
1988 - - $9,696 -
1987 - - $8,234 -
1986 - - $6,509 -
1985 - - $4,696 -
1984 - - $4,487 -
1983 - - $4,475 -
1982 - - $5,156 -
1981 - - $5,367 -
1980 - - $6,204 -
1979 - - $5,766 -
1978 - - $4,353 -
1977 - - $3,625 -
1976 - - $3,277 -
1975 - - $3,208 -
1974 - - $2,748 -
1973 - - $2,246 -
1972 - - $1,708 -
1971 - - $1,361 -
1970 - - $1,211 -
1969 - - $1,109 -
1968 - - $978 -
1967 - - $997 -
1966 - - $916 -
1965 - - $797 -
1964 - - $695 -
1963 - - $627 -
1962 - - $535 -
1961 - - $463 -
1960 - - $408 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Spain
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
15/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
34/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
34
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
11.3%
2024
Population
45409324
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 45.3% 101.6%
2023 17% 8.42% 45.5% 105.1%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 46.4% 109.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 28% 6.14% 42% 97.6%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 27.7% 8% 41% 101.1%
2016 28% 8.44% 42.1% 102%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 25% 6.92% 46.2% 100%
2012 25% 6.77% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 18.3% 23% 38.4% 39%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 15.1% 245% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 6.94% 346% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 - - 38.4% 54.1%
2000 - - 39.1% 57.8%
1999 - - 40% 60.9%
1998 - - 41% 62.4%
1997 - - 41.5% 64.3%
1996 - - 42.9% 65.4%
1995 - - 44.1% 61.6%
1994 - - 44.8% 57%
1993 - - 46.3% 54.6%
1992 - - 43.9% 44.1%
1991 - - 42.6% 41.9%
1990 - - 41.1% 41.3%
1989 - - 32.1% 39.2%
1988 - - 28.6% 38.2%
1987 - - 31.1% 42.1%
1986 - - 28.4% 36.5%
1985 - - 27.6% 31.5%
1984 - - 27% 18.3%
1983 - - 26% 13.4%
1982 - - 21.5% 12%
1981 - - 18.1% 10.9%
1980 - - 16.3% 10.2%
1979 - - 14.3% 9.88%
1978 - - 14.3% 9.93%
1977 - - 12.8% 8.75%
1976 - - 11.5% 8.21%
1975 - - 11.4% 11.9%
1974 - - 11.4% 13.6%
1973 - - 9.88% 16.3%
1972 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1971 - - 14% 17.9%
1970 - - 12.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 12.3% 18.8%
1968 - - 12.8% 18.3%
1967 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1966 - - 11.8% 17.7%
1965 - - 14% 18.1%
1964 - - 12.7% 19.5%
1963 - - 12.4% 21%
1962 - - 10.6% 24.4%
1961 - - 9.97% 26.7%
1960 - - 11% 29.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 181/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Spain
2024 -0.54% -3.15%
2023 -1.33% -3.52%
2022 -1% -4.63%
2021 -0.48% -6.66%
2020 -2.24% -10%
2019 -1.06% -3.04%
2018 1.63% -2.58%
2017 -0.67% -3.1%
2016 0.13% -4.26%
2015 -1.38% -5.26%
2014 -1.72% -6.07%
2013 -0.63% -7.49%
2012 0.18% -11.5%
2011 -0.67% -9.69%
2010 0.93% -9.49%
2009 -1.76% -11.2%
2008 -3.86% -4.56%
2007 -2.46% 1.88%
2006 0.68% 2.12%
2005 -0.92% 1.23%
2004 -2.39% -0.1%
2003 -2.1% -0.37%
2002 -0.1% -0.32%
2001 - -0.45%
2000 - -1.16%
1999 - -1.24%
1998 - -2.63%
1997 - -3.86%
1996 - -5.87%
1995 - -6.79%
1994 - -6.31%
1993 - -6.89%
1992 - -4.26%
1991 - -4.58%
1990 - -3.9%
1989 - -3.24%
1988 - -2.95%
1987 - -3.52%
1986 - -5.18%
1985 - -6.04%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -4.77%
1982 - -5.76%
1981 - -2.88%
1980 - -2.55%
1979 - -1.51%
1978 - -1.63%
1977 - -0.24%
1976 - 0.43%
1975 - 0.26%
1974 - 0.11%
1973 - 1.09%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - 0.09%
1969 - -0.06%
1968 - -0.55%
1967 - -0.32%
1966 - 0.07%
1965 - -0.04%
1964 - 0.18%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - 1.27%
1961 - 1.9%
1960 - 0.69%
1959 - 0.54%
1958 - 0.23%
1957 - 1.13%
1956 - -0.05%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.02%
1952 - 0.81%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.44%
1949 - -0.35%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.09%
1946 - -2.24%
1945 - -4.56%
1944 - -5.44%
1943 - -7.73%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -4.34%
1940 - -3.54%
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -0.49%
1934 - -1.17%
1933 - -0.72%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.1%
1930 - 0.3%
1929 - -0.07%
1928 - -0.31%
1927 - -0.54%
1926 - -0.65%
1925 - -1.19%
1924 - -1.76%
1923 - -1.89%
1922 - -2.26%
1921 - -3.33%
1920 - -2.4%
1919 - -1.82%
1918 - -1.8%
1917 - -1.49%
1916 - -1.15%
1915 - -2.97%
1914 - -1.04%
1913 - -0.09%
1912 - -0.33%
1911 - 0.19%
1910 - 0.09%
1909 - -0.29%
1908 - 0.59%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.91%
1905 - 0.71%
1904 - 0.52%
1903 - 0.28%
1902 - 0.74%
1901 - 0.69%
1900 - 1.04%
1899 - 2.75%
1898 - 0.13%
1897 - -0.64%
1896 - 0.46%
1895 - 0.83%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - 0.87%
1892 - -0.67%
1891 - -0.41%
1890 - -0.4%
1889 - -0.38%
1888 - -0.97%
1887 - -0.73%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.78%
1884 - -0.23%
1883 - -0.38%
1882 - 0.38%
1881 - 0.08%
1880 - -0.02%
1879 - -0.52%
1878 - -0.08%
1877 - 0.11%
1876 - 0.1%
1875 - -1.42%
1874 - -0.1%
1873 - 2.22%
1872 - -2.27%
1871 - -2.64%
1870 - -3.42%
1869 - -2.64%
1868 - -1.46%
1867 - -0.79%
1866 - -0.83%
1865 - -1.84%
1864 - -2.48%
1863 - -1.55%
1862 - -1.76%
1861 - -1.77%
1860 - -0.94%
1859 - 0.39%
1858 - -0.44%
1857 - -0.41%
1856 - -0.46%
1855 - -0.76%
1854 - -0.32%
1853 - -0.02%
1852 - -0.11%
1851 - -0.25%
1850 - 0.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/spain | 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 Spain's deficit of $56.9B, or 3.52% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.48% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Spain
2024 -4.3% 2.77%
2023 -7.7% 3.53%
2022 10.6% 8.39%
2021 7.8% 3.09%
2020 5.6% -0.32%
2019 2.3% 0.7%
2018 0.6% 1.67%
2017 5% 1.96%
2016 4.4% -0.2%
2015 -0.7% -0.5%
2014 4.7% -0.15%
2013 7.4% 1.41%
2012 6.4% 2.45%
2011 11.8% 3.2%
2010 2.2% 1.8%
2009 -6.8% -0.29%
2008 26.4% 4.08%
2007 8.7% 2.79%
2006 6.8% 3.52%
2005 10.6% 3.37%
2004 16.4% 3.04%
2003 35.7% 3.04%
2002 - 3.07%
2001 - 3.59%
2000 - 3.43%
1999 - 2.31%
1998 - 1.83%
1997 - 1.97%

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/spain | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.24% in Spain. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $353K
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Animal & marine products $13K
Spain
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $3.16M
Miscellaneous $2.54M
Raw materials & minerals $1.34M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.12M
Textiles & consumer goods $694K
Animal & marine products $514K
Metals $261K
Machinery & equipment $101K
Wood & paper products $67K
Raw agricultural goods $44K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Spain
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$419B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$111B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
37.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Spain
Economic freedom 53 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 59/197
Property rights 3.6 88
Government integrity 13.5 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 0 74.3
Tax burden 92 58.2
Government spending 90.8 37.3
Fiscal health 98.4 57.3
Business freedom 33.7 82.6
Labor freedom 44.4 61.7
Monetary freedom 84.9 78.2
Trade freedom 68.6 79.4
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Spain
2026 - 66.8
2025 - 66.3
2024 - 63.3
2023 - 65
2022 - 68.2
2021 53 69.9
2020 54.7 66.9
2019 51.5 65.7
2018 51.3 65.1
2017 48.9 63.6
2016 - 68.5
2015 - 67.6
2014 - 67.2
2013 - 68
2012 - 69.1
2011 - 70.2
2010 - 69.6
2009 - 70.1
2008 - 69.1
2007 - 69.2
2006 - 68.2
2005 - 67
2004 - 68.9
2003 - 68.8
2002 - 68.8
2001 - 68.1
2000 - 65.9
1999 - 65.1
1998 - 62.6
1997 - 59.6
1996 - 59.6
1995 - 62.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 66.8 for Spain, ranking 59/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Spain
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$71.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
21.2%
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/spain | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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)

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.