Skip to content

Economy of Afghanistan vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $1.36T for Turkey, ranking 137/197 and 17/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $327B (24% of GDP) in Turkey.

Afghanistan vs Turkey GDP by year

Afghanistan
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Turkey
2024 - $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $17,152,234,637 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $14,497,243,872 $926,097,476,914
2021 $14,259,995,441 $839,938,668,172
2020 $19,955,929,052 $733,628,247,119
2019 $18,799,444,490 $775,853,144,223
2018 $18,053,222,687 $788,356,985,774
2017 $18,753,456,498 $863,874,522,365
2016 $18,116,572,395 $870,818,016,910
2015 $19,134,221,645 $865,460,050,684
2014 $20,497,128,556 $942,343,431,929
2013 $20,146,416,758 $962,167,643,589
2012 $19,907,329,778 $885,327,622,479
2011 $17,805,098,206 $844,192,507,381
2010 $15,856,668,556 $782,545,664,268
2009 $12,416,152,732 $653,894,449,921
2008 $10,109,297,048 $775,415,944,333
2007 $9,747,886,187 $685,228,481,017
2006 $6,971,758,282 $559,668,118,237
2005 $6,203,256,539 $508,314,210,213
2004 $5,224,896,719 $410,156,784,496
2003 $4,520,946,819 $315,392,899,922
2002 $3,825,701,439 $240,778,008,474
2001 $2,813,571,754 $202,195,080,239
2000 $3,521,418,060 $274,748,463,179
1999 - $256,673,939,248
1998 - $276,035,372,655
1997 - $263,817,553,748
1996 - $250,366,965,174
1995 - $234,699,627,004
1994 - $130,650,447,499
1993 - $180,415,757,852
1992 - $159,104,772,992
1991 - $151,034,731,544
1990 - $150,655,500,192
1989 - $107,127,191,329
1988 - $90,875,175,809
1987 - $87,190,081,680
1986 - $75,673,037,037
1985 - $67,232,758,621
1984 - $59,937,602,180
1983 - $61,803,555,556
1982 - $64,369,325,153
1981 - $71,180,180,180
1980 - $68,823,684,211
1979 - $89,616,129,032
1978 - $65,912,500,000
1977 - $58,683,333,333
1976 - $51,450,000,000
1975 - $46,042,857,143
1974 - $35,414,285,714
1973 - $26,000,000,000
1972 - $20,650,000,000
1971 - $16,166,666,667
1970 - $17,863,636,364
1969 - $19,466,666,667
1968 - $17,500,000,000
1967 - $15,644,444,444
1966 - $14,100,000,000
1965 - $11,966,666,667
1964 - $11,177,777,778
1963 - $10,355,555,556
1962 - $8,922,222,222
1961 - $7,988,888,889
1960 - $7,566,666,667

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Turkey by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $15,893 $45,639
2023 $414 $2,202 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $357 $2,123 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $356 $2,144 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $511 $2,562 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $497 $2,583 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $491 $2,432 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $525 $2,336 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $522 $2,213 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $566 $2,284 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $625 $2,224 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $637 $2,133 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $651 $1,988 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $607 $1,744 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $561 $1,766 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $452 $1,571 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $382 $1,334 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $376 $1,287 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $221.8 $972 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $198.9 $967 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $179 $927 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $138.7 $748 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $174.9 $814 $4,199 $9,326
1999 - - $3,974 $8,470
1998 - - $4,331 $8,763
1997 - - $4,197 $11,514
1996 - - $4,041 $10,624
1995 - - $3,846 $9,962
1994 - - $2,176 $9,253
1993 - - $3,058 $9,751
1992 - - $2,744 $8,969
1991 - - $2,649 $8,418
1990 - - $2,690 $8,208
1989 - - $1,949 -
1988 - - $1,686 -
1987 - - $1,650 -
1986 - - $1,461 -
1985 - - $1,326 -
1984 - - $1,209 -
1983 - - $1,276 -
1982 - - $1,360 -
1981 - - $1,537 -
1980 - - $1,516 -
1979 - - $2,013 -
1978 - - $1,510 -
1977 - - $1,372 -
1976 - - $1,228 -
1975 - - $1,122 -
1974 - - $881 -
1973 - - $661 -
1972 - - $537 -
1971 - - $431 -
1970 - - $488 -
1969 - - $544 -
1968 - - $501 -
1967 - - $459 -
1966 - - $425 -
1965 - - $370 -
1964 - - $354 -
1963 - - $337 -
1962 - - $298.2 -
1961 - - $274.4 -
1960 - - $267.1 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $15,893 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Turkey
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$1.36T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
17/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
3.33%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$15,893
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
66/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
51/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$327B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
24%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$3,820
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
92/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$10,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$379B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
60,787
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
32
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
35.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
32.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
58.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
38%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
8.71%
2024
Population
45409324
86002379

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 32.6% 24%
2023 17% 8.42% 32.5% 28.7%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 26.8% 30.2%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 30.5% 39.4%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 34% 38.7%
2019 28% 6.14% 34.8% 31.8%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 33.9% 29.5%
2017 27.7% 8% 32.4% 27.6%
2016 28% 8.44% 33.8% 27.7%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 32.4% 27.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 32.5% 28.2%
2013 25% 6.92% 33.5% 30.8%
2012 25% 6.77% 34% 32.1%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 32.6% 35.7%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 35.2% 39.2%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 37% 42.9%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 33.5% 37.5%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 32.7% 37.5%
2006 18.3% 23% 33.4% 44%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 32% 50%
2004 15.1% 245% 34.5% 57%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 38.3% 65%
2002 6.94% 346% 40.9% 71.3%
2001 - - 43.9% 75.3%
2000 - - 39.4% 51.2%
1999 - - 32.7% 52.1%
1998 - - 27.9% 36.5%
1997 - - 26.4% 32.5%
1996 - - 24.5% 35.5%
1995 - - 19.4% 34.6%
1994 - - 20.5% 39.2%
1993 - - 22% 29.1%
1992 - - 18.6% 29.2%
1991 - - 18.2% 28.4%
1990 - - 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $444B, or 32.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 24% in Turkey, ranking 181/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Turkey
2024 -0.54% -4.57%
2023 -1.33% -5.22%
2022 -1% -1.1%
2021 -0.48% -2.98%
2020 -2.24% -4.64%
2019 -1.06% -4.69%
2018 1.63% -3.1%
2017 -0.67% -1.87%
2016 0.13% -1.68%
2015 -1.38% -0.51%
2014 -1.72% -0.96%
2013 -0.63% -1.21%
2012 0.18% -1.78%
2011 -0.67% -0.35%
2010 0.93% -2.99%
2009 -1.76% -5.14%
2008 -3.86% -2.13%
2007 -2.46% -1.37%
2006 0.68% -0.22%
2005 -0.92% -0.75%
2004 -2.39% -4.11%
2003 -2.1% -7.55%
2002 -0.1% -11.3%
2001 - -11.6%
2000 - -8.36%
1999 - -13.8%
1998 - -9.84%
1997 - -10.1%
1996 - -10.7%
1995 - -5.95%
1994 - -6.04%
1993 - -8.84%
1992 - -6.73%
1991 - -6.86%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/turkey | 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 Turkey's deficit of $59.5B, or 5.22% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.98% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Turkey
2024 -4.3% 58.5%
2023 -7.7% 53.9%
2022 10.6% 72.3%
2021 7.8% 19.6%
2020 5.6% 12.3%
2019 2.3% 15.2%
2018 0.6% 16.3%
2017 5% 11.1%
2016 4.4% 7.78%
2015 -0.7% 7.67%
2014 4.7% 8.85%
2013 7.4% 7.49%
2012 6.4% 8.89%
2011 11.8% 6.47%
2010 2.2% 8.57%
2009 -6.8% 6.25%
2008 26.4% 10.4%
2007 8.7% 8.76%
2006 6.8% 9.6%
2005 10.6% 8.18%
2004 16.4% 8.6%
2003 35.7% 21.6%
2002 - 45%
2001 - 54.4%
2000 - 54.9%
1999 - 64.9%
1998 - 84.6%
1997 - 85.7%

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/turkey | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 17.7% in Turkey. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 58.5% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $22.1M
Animal & marine products $1.88M
Textiles & consumer goods $823K
Raw materials & minerals $262K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Turkey
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $62.3M
Machinery & equipment $60.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $29.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.3M
Metals $11.2M
Raw materials & minerals $9.65M
Precious metals & jewellery $8.5M
Wood & paper products $6.04M
Animal & marine products $3.88M
Raw agricultural goods $3.53M

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Turkey
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$10.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
176/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-0.75%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$314B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$257B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$53.3B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$115B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
27.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Turkey
Economic freedom 53 55
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 129/197
Property rights 3.6 36.4
Government integrity 13.5 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 0 23.5
Tax burden 92 72
Government spending 90.8 71.8
Fiscal health 98.4 77.8
Business freedom 33.7 61.6
Labor freedom 44.4 44.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 36.5
Trade freedom 68.6 71
Investment freedom 10 70
Financial freedom 10 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Turkey
2026 - 55
2025 - 56.1
2024 - 56.2
2023 - 56.9
2022 - 56.9
2021 53 64
2020 54.7 64.4
2019 51.5 64.6
2018 51.3 65.4
2017 48.9 65.2
2016 - 62.1
2015 - 63.2
2014 - 64.9
2013 - 62.9
2012 - 62.5
2011 - 64.2
2010 - 63.8
2009 - 61.6
2008 - 59.9
2007 - 57.4
2006 - 57
2005 - 50.6
2004 - 52.8
2003 - 51.9
2002 - 54.2
2001 - 60.6
2000 - 63.4
1999 - 59.2
1998 - 60.9
1997 - 60.8
1996 - 56.7
1995 - 58.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Turkey
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
5.82%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$1.15T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$45,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$155B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
21/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$5.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
6.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
13.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
30.7%
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/turkey | 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 (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, 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.