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Economy of Afghanistan vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.2B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 137/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.44B in government debt (8.8% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Afghanistan vs Venezuela GDP by year

Afghanistan
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Venezuela
2024 - $119,802,963,258
2023 $17,152,234,637 $102,376,526,556
2022 $14,497,243,872 $89,013,255,585
2021 $14,259,995,441 $56,614,976,855
2020 $19,955,929,052 $42,838,020,721
2019 $18,799,444,490 $73,014,084,091
2018 $18,053,222,687 $102,021,093,965
2017 $18,753,456,498 $115,883,275,163
2016 $18,116,572,395 $112,915,034,262
2015 $19,134,221,645 $125,449,241,571
2014 $20,497,128,556 $214,689,614,733
2013 $20,146,416,758 $258,930,655,486
2012 $19,907,329,778 $372,592,062,768
2011 $17,805,098,206 $316,482,190,800
2010 $15,856,668,556 $393,192,354,511
2009 $12,416,152,732 $329,787,628,928
2008 $10,109,297,048 $315,953,388,511
2007 $9,747,886,187 $230,364,012,576
2006 $6,971,758,282 $183,477,522,124
2005 $6,203,256,539 $145,513,489,652
2004 $5,224,896,719 $112,451,400,425
2003 $4,520,946,819 $83,620,628,582
2002 $3,825,701,439 $92,893,587,734
2001 $2,813,571,754 $122,911,036,747
2000 $3,521,418,060 $117,146,466,003
1999 - $97,972,842,462
1998 - $91,336,763,255
1997 - $85,837,678,560
1996 - $70,543,211,119
1995 - $77,389,487,770
1994 - $58,418,666,667
1993 - $60,037,460,783
1992 - $60,416,519,620
1991 - $53,453,444,787
1990 - $48,606,952,195
1989 - $43,536,709,104
1988 - $60,226,413,793
1987 - $48,029,034,483
1986 - $60,516,123,711
1985 - $61,965,466,667
1984 - $59,867,743,468
1983 - $67,556,279,070
1982 - $67,736,744,186
1981 - $66,327,441,860
1980 - $59,116,511,628
1979 - $48,310,930,233
1978 - $39,316,279,070
1977 - $36,210,697,674
1976 - $31,419,534,884
1975 - $27,464,651,163
1974 - $26,100,930,233
1973 - $17,035,581,395
1972 - $13,977,727,273
1971 - $12,986,590,909
1970 - $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Venezuela by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,218 -
2023 $414 $2,202 $3,617 -
2022 $357 $2,123 $3,155 -
2021 $356 $2,144 $2,005 -
2020 $511 $2,562 $1,506 -
2019 $497 $2,583 $2,523 -
2018 $491 $2,432 $3,423 -
2017 $525 $2,336 $3,791 -
2016 $522 $2,213 $3,670 -
2015 $566 $2,284 $4,103 -
2014 $625 $2,224 $7,096 -
2013 $637 $2,133 $8,656 -
2012 $651 $1,988 $12,607 -
2011 $607 $1,744 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $561 $1,766 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $452 $1,571 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $382 $1,334 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $376 $1,287 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $221.8 $972 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $198.9 $967 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $179 $927 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $138.7 $748 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $174.9 $814 $4,776 $14,174
1999 - - $4,071 $13,623
1998 - - $3,870 $14,568
1997 - - $3,711 $14,655
1996 - - $3,113 $13,824
1995 - - $3,487 $13,890
1994 - - $2,689 $13,370
1993 - - $2,825 $13,702
1992 - - $2,907 $13,652
1991 - - $2,633 $12,880
1990 - - $2,452 $11,628
1989 - - $2,250 -
1988 - - $3,191 -
1987 - - $2,611 -
1986 - - $3,376 -
1985 - - $3,549 -
1984 - - $3,520 -
1983 - - $4,079 -
1982 - - $4,202 -
1981 - - $4,228 -
1980 - - $3,874 -
1979 - - $3,257 -
1978 - - $2,727 -
1977 - - $2,585 -
1976 - - $2,309 -
1975 - - $2,078 -
1974 - - $2,034 -
1973 - - $1,367 -
1972 - - $1,155 -
1971 - - $1,106 -
1970 - - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

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

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $414, ranking 196/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$17.2B
2023
$120B
2024
GDP rank
137/197
2023
65/197
2024
GDP growth
2.27%
2022-2023
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$414
2023
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2023
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
93/197
2011
Government debt
$1.44B
2023
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
8.8%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$34.8
2023
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2023
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,869
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.4%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-4.3%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
7.53%
2020
Population
45409324
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.4% 8.8% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 17% 8.42% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 16.1% 10.8% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 17.9% 11.2% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 11.2% 337%
2019 28% 6.14% 21% 206%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 27.7% 8% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 28% 8.44% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 25% 6.92% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 25% 6.77% 38% 58.4%
2011 21.9% 7.52% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 20.8% 7.71% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 18.3% 23% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 15.1% 245% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 11.9% 270.6% 32.2% 56%
2002 6.94% 346% 31% 48.2%
2001 - - 31.9% 30.7%
2000 - - 28.3% 27.7%
1999 - - 26.1% 29.6%
1998 - - 28.8% 30.7%
1997 - - 31% 34.8%
1996 - - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government spending was $2.91B, accounting for 19.4% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 8.8% in Afghanistan and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 181/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Venezuela
2024 -0.54% -3.6%
2023 -1.33% -1.25%
2022 -1% -5.29%
2021 -0.48% -5.85%
2020 -2.24% -6.63%
2019 -1.06% -10.9%
2018 1.63% -31%
2017 -0.67% -13.3%
2016 0.13% -8.46%
2015 -1.38% -8.06%
2014 -1.72% -9.81%
2013 -0.63% -10.4%
2012 0.18% -9.86%
2011 -0.67% -8.24%
2010 0.93% -4.74%
2009 -1.76% -8.69%
2008 -3.86% -3.46%
2007 -2.46% -2.82%
2006 0.68% -1.6%
2005 -0.92% 4.09%
2004 -2.39% 2.47%
2003 -2.1% 0.17%
2002 -0.1% -1.48%
2001 - -4.59%
2000 - 4.45%
1999 - 0.74%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/afghanistan/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $1.28B, or 1.25% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.59% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Venezuela
2024 -4.3% 49%
2023 -7.7% 338%
2022 10.6% 186.5%
2021 7.8% 1,589%
2020 5.6% 2,355%
2019 2.3% 19,906%
2018 0.6% 65,374%
2017 5% 438%
2016 4.4% 254.9%
2015 -0.7% 121.7%
2014 4.7% 62.2%
2013 7.4% 40.6%
2012 6.4% 21.1%
2011 11.8% 26.1%
2010 2.2% 28.2%
2009 -6.8% 26%
2008 26.4% 31.4%
2007 8.7% 18.7%
2006 6.8% 13.7%
2005 10.6% 16%
2004 16.4% 21.7%
2003 35.7% 31.1%
2002 - 22.4%
2001 - 12.5%
2000 - 16.2%
1999 - 23.6%
1998 - 35.8%
1997 - 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 22 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7%, compared with 4,134% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was -4.3% in Afghanistan and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Venezuela
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
159/190
2020
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$700M
2020
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
50.7%
2023
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2023
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Venezuela
Economic freedom 53 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 194/197
Property rights 3.6 0
Government integrity 13.5 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 0 5.1
Tax burden 92 73.4
Government spending 90.8 93
Fiscal health 98.4 29.1
Business freedom 33.7 31.1
Labor freedom 44.4 35.5
Monetary freedom 84.9 0
Trade freedom 68.6 43.2
Investment freedom 10 0
Financial freedom 10 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Venezuela
2026 - 27.3
2025 - 27.6
2024 - 28.1
2023 - 25.8
2022 - 24.8
2021 53 24.7
2020 54.7 25.2
2019 51.5 25.9
2018 51.3 25.2
2017 48.9 27
2016 - 33.7
2015 - 34.3
2014 - 36.3
2013 - 36.1
2012 - 38.1
2011 - 37.6
2010 - 37.1
2009 - 39.9
2008 - 44.7
2007 - 47.9
2006 - 44.6
2005 - 45.2
2004 - 46.7
2003 - 54.8
2002 - 54.7
2001 - 54.6
2000 - 57.4
1999 - 56.1
1998 - 54
1997 - 52.8
1996 - 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
46.4%
2023
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
13.4%
2023
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.7%
2023
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$15.5B
2023
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,210
2023
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
78/177
2020
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.25%
2023
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15.3%
2023
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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 (1920–1997, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.