Skip to content

Economy of Afghanistan vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 137/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Afghanistan vs United States GDP by year

Afghanistan
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan United States
2024 - $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $17,152,234,637 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $14,497,243,872 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $14,259,995,441 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $19,955,929,052 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $18,799,444,490 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $18,053,222,687 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $18,753,456,498 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $18,116,572,395 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $19,134,221,645 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $20,497,128,556 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $20,146,416,758 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $19,907,329,778 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $17,805,098,206 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $15,856,668,556 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $12,416,152,732 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $10,109,297,048 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $9,747,886,187 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $6,971,758,282 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $6,203,256,539 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $5,224,896,719 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $4,520,946,819 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $3,825,701,439 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $2,813,571,754 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $3,521,418,060 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 - $9,631,174,489,000
1998 - $9,062,818,202,000
1997 - $8,577,554,457,000
1996 - $8,073,122,000,000
1995 - $7,639,749,000,000
1994 - $7,287,236,000,000
1993 - $6,858,559,000,000
1992 - $6,520,327,000,000
1991 - $6,158,129,000,000
1990 - $5,963,144,000,000
1989 - $5,641,580,000,000
1988 - $5,236,438,000,000
1987 - $4,855,215,000,000
1986 - $4,579,631,000,000
1985 - $4,338,979,000,000
1984 - $4,037,613,000,000
1983 - $3,634,038,000,000
1982 - $3,343,789,000,000
1981 - $3,207,041,000,000
1980 - $2,857,307,000,000
1979 - $2,627,333,000,000
1978 - $2,351,599,000,000
1977 - $2,081,826,000,000
1976 - $1,873,412,000,000
1975 - $1,684,904,000,000
1974 - $1,545,243,000,000
1973 - $1,425,376,000,000
1972 - $1,279,110,000,000
1971 - $1,164,850,000,000
1970 - $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs United States by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $84,534 $85,810
2023 $414 $2,202 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $357 $2,123 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $356 $2,144 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $511 $2,562 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $497 $2,583 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $491 $2,432 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $525 $2,336 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $522 $2,213 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $566 $2,284 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $625 $2,224 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $637 $2,133 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $651 $1,988 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $607 $1,744 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $561 $1,766 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $452 $1,571 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $382 $1,334 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $376 $1,287 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $221.8 $972 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $198.9 $967 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $179 $927 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $138.7 $748 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $174.9 $814 $36,330 $36,330
1999 - - $34,484 $34,515
1998 - - $32,823 $32,854
1997 - - $31,430 $31,459
1996 - - $29,937 $29,968
1995 - - $28,661 $28,691
1994 - - $27,662 $27,695
1993 - - $26,353 $26,387
1992 - - $25,381 $25,419
1991 - - $24,293 $24,342
1990 - - $23,840 $23,889
1989 - - $22,857 -
1988 - - $21,417 -
1987 - - $20,039 -
1986 - - $19,071 -
1985 - - $18,237 -
1984 - - $17,121 -
1983 - - $15,544 -
1982 - - $14,434 -
1981 - - $13,976 -
1980 - - $12,613 -
1979 - - $11,674 -
1978 - - $10,565 -
1977 - - $9,453 -
1976 - - $8,592 -
1975 - - $7,801 -
1974 - - $7,226 -
1973 - - $6,726 -
1972 - - $6,094 -
1971 - - $5,609 -
1970 - - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/united-states | CC BY

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan United States
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
1/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
12/197
2024
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
4.02%
2024
Population
45409324
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 43.2% 125%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 28% 6.14% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 27.7% 8% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 28% 8.44% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 35% 105.4%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 25% 6.92% 35.8% 105%
2012 25% 6.77% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 38.8% 100%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 18.3% 23% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 15.1% 245% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 34% 59%
2002 6.94% 346% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 - - 32.8% 53.5%
2000 - - 31.7% 54.5%
1999 - - 32.2% 60.5%
1998 - - 32.8% 64.2%
1997 - - 33.7% 67.4%
1996 - - 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 181/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan United States
2024 -0.54% -8.03%
2023 -1.33% -7.8%
2022 -1% -3.72%
2021 -0.48% -11.4%
2020 -2.24% -14.1%
2019 -1.06% -5.81%
2018 1.63% -5.33%
2017 -0.67% -4.79%
2016 0.13% -4.36%
2015 -1.38% -3.53%
2014 -1.72% -4.03%
2013 -0.63% -4.56%
2012 0.18% -8.11%
2011 -0.67% -9.72%
2010 0.93% -11%
2009 -1.76% -13.2%
2008 -3.86% -6.61%
2007 -2.46% -2.91%
2006 0.68% -2.04%
2005 -0.92% -3.07%
2004 -2.39% -4.24%
2003 -2.1% -4.77%
2002 -0.1% -3.82%
2001 - -0.54%
2000 - 3.62%
1999 - 2.71%
1998 - 2.18%
1997 - 0.88%
1996 - -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.13T, or 7.8% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.32% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan United States
2024 -4.3% 2.95%
2023 -7.7% 4.12%
2022 10.6% 8%
2021 7.8% 4.7%
2020 5.6% 1.23%
2019 2.3% 1.81%
2018 0.6% 2.44%
2017 5% 2.13%
2016 4.4% 1.26%
2015 -0.7% 0.12%
2014 4.7% 1.62%
2013 7.4% 1.46%
2012 6.4% 2.07%
2011 11.8% 3.16%
2010 2.2% 1.64%
2009 -6.8% -0.36%
2008 26.4% 3.84%
2007 8.7% 2.85%
2006 6.8% 3.23%
2005 10.6% 3.39%
2004 16.4% 2.68%
2003 35.7% 2.27%
2002 - 1.59%
2001 - 2.83%
2000 - 3.38%
1999 - 2.19%
1998 - 1.55%
1997 - 2.34%

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/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 2.57% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.74M
Raw agricultural goods $1.18M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $55K
Animal & marine products $22K
Metals $3K
Machinery & equipment $1K
United States
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $7.92M
Machinery & equipment $6.81M
Raw agricultural goods $2.9M
Chemicals & pharma $2.23M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.45M
Wood & paper products $924K
Textiles & consumer goods $907K
Miscellaneous $772K
Raw materials & minerals $672K
Metals $569K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan United States
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$841B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan United States
Economic freedom 53 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 27/197
Property rights 3.6 91.6
Government integrity 13.5 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 0 76.4
Tax burden 92 75.3
Government spending 90.8 57.9
Fiscal health 98.4 18.5
Business freedom 33.7 88.6
Labor freedom 44.4 76.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 84.2
Trade freedom 68.6 67.6
Investment freedom 10 80
Financial freedom 10 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan United States
2026 - 72.8
2025 - 70.2
2024 - 70.1
2023 - 70.6
2022 - 72.1
2021 53 74.8
2020 54.7 76.6
2019 51.5 76.8
2018 51.3 75.7
2017 48.9 75.1
2016 - 75.4
2015 - 76.2
2014 - 75.5
2013 - 76
2012 - 76.3
2011 - 77.8
2010 - 78
2009 - 80.7
2008 - 81
2007 - 81.2
2006 - 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 - 76.4
1999 - 75.5
1998 - 75.4
1997 - 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan United States
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
21.8%
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/united-states | 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) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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.