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Economy of Afghanistan vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 137/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Afghanistan vs Switzerland GDP by year

Afghanistan
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Switzerland
2024 - $936,564,198,049
2023 $17,152,234,637 $894,424,821,645
2022 $14,497,243,872 $828,508,926,958
2021 $14,259,995,441 $815,309,330,987
2020 $19,955,929,052 $741,999,406,006
2019 $18,799,444,490 $721,369,112,727
2018 $18,053,222,687 $725,568,717,468
2017 $18,753,456,498 $695,200,833,086
2016 $18,116,572,395 $687,895,460,903
2015 $19,134,221,645 $694,118,186,380
2014 $20,497,128,556 $726,537,808,338
2013 $20,146,416,758 $706,234,937,371
2012 $19,907,329,778 $686,420,221,558
2011 $17,805,098,206 $715,888,126,682
2010 $15,856,668,556 $598,851,028,907
2009 $12,416,152,732 $554,212,916,092
2008 $10,109,297,048 $567,267,767,519
2007 $9,747,886,187 $490,740,715,595
2006 $6,971,758,282 $441,634,672,197
2005 $6,203,256,539 $418,284,865,885
2004 $5,224,896,719 $403,912,891,033
2003 $4,520,946,819 $362,075,086,508
2002 $3,825,701,439 $309,301,422,430
2001 $2,813,571,754 $286,582,672,434
2000 $3,521,418,060 $279,216,033,870
1999 - $297,873,643,323
1998 - $303,459,014,347
1997 - $294,788,198,856
1996 - $340,103,959,547
1995 - $352,835,806,342
1994 - $301,375,055,202
1993 - $272,237,527,071
1992 - $279,921,425,828
1991 - $268,901,693,863
1990 - $265,763,573,999
1989 - $208,105,846,934
1988 - $215,540,625,299
1987 - $199,236,370,038
1986 - $159,089,921,063
1985 - $110,980,314,192
1984 - $109,455,312,168
1983 - $114,634,358,535
1982 - $115,043,365,512
1981 - $112,244,805,519
1980 - $122,557,843,886
1979 - $114,970,094,425
1978 - $102,280,472,036
1977 - $73,135,771,167
1976 - $68,476,524,644
1975 - $65,466,081,819
1974 - $57,103,011,446
1973 - $49,550,006,320
1972 - $36,844,318,854
1971 - $30,040,171,751
1970 - $24,998,066,773
1969 - $22,442,043,274
1968 - $20,712,102,794
1967 - $19,397,044,714
1966 - $18,019,402,374
1965 - $16,780,226,225
1964 - $15,833,133,858
1963 - $14,283,872,299
1962 - $12,989,649,694
1961 - $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Switzerland by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $103,998 $96,498
2023 $414 $2,202 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $357 $2,123 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $356 $2,144 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $511 $2,562 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $497 $2,583 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $491 $2,432 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $525 $2,336 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $522 $2,213 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $566 $2,284 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $625 $2,224 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $637 $2,133 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $651 $1,988 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $607 $1,744 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $561 $1,766 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $452 $1,571 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $382 $1,334 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $376 $1,287 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $221.8 $972 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $198.9 $967 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $179 $927 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $138.7 $748 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $174.9 $814 $38,865 $36,703
1999 - - $41,696 $34,743
1998 - - $42,681 $33,860
1997 - - $41,584 $32,736
1996 - - $48,093 $31,509
1995 - - $50,114 $30,842
1994 - - $43,092 $30,265
1993 - - $39,237 $29,495
1992 - - $40,714 $29,113
1991 - - $39,544 $28,792
1990 - - $39,575 $28,461
1989 - - $31,309 -
1988 - - $32,690 -
1987 - - $30,441 -
1986 - - $24,460 -
1985 - - $17,152 -
1984 - - $16,991 -
1983 - - $17,859 -
1982 - - $18,000 -
1981 - - $17,665 -
1980 - - $19,394 -
1979 - - $18,266 -
1978 - - $16,282 -
1977 - - $11,644 -
1976 - - $10,865 -
1975 - - $10,328 -
1974 - - $9,005 -
1973 - - $7,856 -
1972 - - $5,885 -
1971 - - $4,835 -
1970 - - $4,044 -
1969 - - $3,657 -
1968 - - $3,413 -
1967 - - $3,237 -
1966 - - $3,045 -
1965 - - $2,865 -
1964 - - $2,735 -
1963 - - $2,508 -
1962 - - $2,330 -
1961 - - $2,155 -
1960 - - $1,954 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$937B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
20/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
8/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.34%
2024
Population
45409324
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 17% 8.42% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 34.4% 41%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 37% 43.2%
2019 28% 6.14% 32% 39.6%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 27.7% 8% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 28% 8.44% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 25% 6.92% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 25% 6.77% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 30% 44.8%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 18.3% 23% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 6.94% 346% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 - - 31.6% 51.1%
2000 - - 32.2% 52.2%
1999 - - 33.2% 52.7%
1998 - - 32.7% 55.9%
1997 - - 32.9% 53.7%
1996 - - 33% 51.3%
1995 - - 32.4% 50%
1994 - - 32.5% 47.1%
1993 - - 32.5% 44.4%
1992 - - 31.3% 39.5%
1991 - - 29.5% 35.1%
1990 - - 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

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/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 181/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Switzerland
2024 -0.54% 0.58%
2023 -1.33% 0.12%
2022 -1% 1.19%
2021 -0.48% -0.29%
2020 -2.24% -3.01%
2019 -1.06% 1.34%
2018 1.63% 1.29%
2017 -0.67% 1.13%
2016 0.13% 0.24%
2015 -1.38% 0.55%
2014 -1.72% -0.25%
2013 -0.63% -0.43%
2012 0.18% 0.24%
2011 -0.67% 0.68%
2010 0.93% 0.35%
2009 -1.76% 0.5%
2008 -3.86% 1.93%
2007 -2.46% 1.57%
2006 0.68% 0.85%
2005 -0.92% -0.65%
2004 -2.39% -1.39%
2003 -2.1% -1.36%
2002 -0.1% -1.75%
2001 - 0.21%
2000 - 0.28%
1999 - -1.57%
1998 - -1.31%
1997 - -2.33%
1996 - -2.01%
1995 - -1.86%
1994 - -2.59%
1993 - -3.15%
1992 - -2.96%
1991 - -1.85%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $1.09B, or 0.12% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.13% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Switzerland
2024 -4.3% 1.06%
2023 -7.7% 2.14%
2022 10.6% 2.84%
2021 7.8% 0.58%
2020 5.6% -0.73%
2019 2.3% 0.36%
2018 0.6% 0.94%
2017 5% 0.53%
2016 4.4% -0.43%
2015 -0.7% -1.14%
2014 4.7% -0.01%
2013 7.4% -0.22%
2012 6.4% -0.69%
2011 11.8% 0.23%
2010 2.2% 0.69%
2009 -6.8% -0.48%
2008 26.4% 2.43%
2007 8.7% 0.73%
2006 6.8% 1.06%
2005 10.6% 1.17%
2004 16.4% 0.8%
2003 35.7% 0.64%
2002 - 0.64%
2001 - 0.99%
2000 - 1.56%
1999 - 0.81%
1998 - 0.02%
1997 - 0.52%

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/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 0.57% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $8K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.56M
Machinery & equipment $753K
Precious metals & jewellery $603K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $493K
Textiles & consumer goods $165K
Animal & marine products $9K
Metals $8K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Wood & paper products $4K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Switzerland
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$502B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$203B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Switzerland
Economic freedom 53 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 2/197
Property rights 3.6 94.4
Government integrity 13.5 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 0 98.3
Tax burden 92 70.9
Government spending 90.8 69.5
Fiscal health 98.4 97.2
Business freedom 33.7 86.3
Labor freedom 44.4 60
Monetary freedom 84.9 82.3
Trade freedom 68.6 87
Investment freedom 10 85
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Switzerland
2026 - 83.7
2025 - 83.7
2024 - 83
2023 - 83.8
2022 - 84.2
2021 53 81.9
2020 54.7 82
2019 51.5 81.9
2018 51.3 81.7
2017 48.9 81.5
2016 - 81
2015 - 80.5
2014 - 81.6
2013 - 81
2012 - 81.1
2011 - 81.9
2010 - 81.1
2009 - 79.4
2008 - 79.5
2007 - 78
2006 - 78.9
2005 - 79.3
2004 - 79.5
2003 - 79
2002 - 79.3
2001 - 76
2000 - 76.8
1999 - 79.1
1998 - 79
1997 - 78.6
1996 - 76.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
27%
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/switzerland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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.