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Economy of Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Afghanistan has a GDP of $17.8B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 139/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Afghanistan has $1.58B in government debt (7.98% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Afghanistan
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Afghanistan Zimbabwe
2025 - $51,215,643,906
2024 $17,778,508,876 $41,521,975,830
2023 $17,152,234,637 $35,871,781,303
2022 $14,497,243,872 $40,757,585,309
2021 $14,259,995,441 $41,287,852,524
2020 $19,955,929,052 $31,979,753,645
2019 $18,799,444,490 $33,360,632,553
2018 $18,053,222,687 $34,141,666,667
2017 $18,753,456,498 $51,035,657,371
2016 $18,116,572,395 $20,559,250,000
2015 $19,134,221,645 $19,973,250,000
2014 $20,497,128,556 $19,505,500,000
2013 $20,146,416,758 $19,100,750,000
2012 $19,907,329,778 $17,123,500,000
2011 $17,805,098,206 $14,109,000,000
2010 $15,856,668,556 $12,047,750,000
2009 $12,416,152,732 $9,670,750,000
2008 $10,109,297,048 $4,418,000,000
2007 $9,747,886,187 $5,294,750,000
2006 $6,971,758,282 $5,446,750,000
2005 $6,203,256,539 $5,758,250,000
2004 $5,224,896,719 $5,808,500,000
2003 $4,520,946,819 $5,730,500,000
2002 $3,825,701,439 $6,345,250,000
2001 $2,813,571,754 $6,780,750,000
2000 $3,521,418,060 $6,693,250,000
1999 - $6,861,500,000
1998 - $6,405,250,000
1997 - $8,534,000,000
1996 - $8,557,500,000
1995 - $7,115,000,000
1994 - $6,894,250,000
1993 - $6,567,250,000
1992 - $6,755,000,000
1991 - $8,646,000,000
1990 - $8,788,301,546
1989 - $8,290,553,535
1988 - $7,818,774,177
1987 - $6,744,657,033
1986 - $6,220,698,247
1985 - $5,640,137,575
1984 - $6,355,369,172
1983 - $7,768,031,182
1982 - $8,544,060,905
1981 - $8,015,464,252
1980 - $6,682,278,300
1979 - $5,180,102,910
1978 - $4,353,822,343
1977 - $4,366,610,469
1976 - $4,320,576,877
1975 - $4,373,532,601
1974 - $3,984,194,614
1973 - $3,311,043,292
1972 - $2,679,096,597
1971 - $2,179,828,710
1970 - $1,885,168,339
1969 - $1,748,891,294
1968 - $1,480,355,355
1967 - $1,397,715,282
1966 - $1,282,403,936
1965 - $1,312,105,394
1964 - $1,217,759,447
1963 - $1,160,103,724
1962 - $1,118,172,226
1961 - $1,097,206,526
1960 - $1,053,528,036

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe by year

Afghanistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Afghanistan Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $3,021 -
2024 $417 - $2,496 $5,928
2023 $414 $2,202 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $357 $2,123 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $356 $2,144 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $511 $2,562 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $497 $2,583 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $491 $2,432 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $525 $2,336 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $522 $2,213 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $566 $2,284 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $625 $2,224 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $637 $2,133 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $651 $1,988 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $607 $1,744 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $561 $1,766 $902 $2,661
2009 $452 $1,571 $736 $2,233
2008 $382 $1,334 $341 $1,987
2007 $376 $1,287 $414 $2,396
2006 $274.2 $1,122 $431 $2,454
2005 $254.2 $1,076 $461 $2,496
2004 $221.8 $972 $470 $2,591
2003 $198.9 $967 $468 $2,708
2002 $179 $927 $525 $3,238
2001 $138.7 $748 $566 $3,533
2000 $174.9 $814 $563 $3,429
1999 - - $582 $3,491
1998 - - $552 $3,527
1997 - - $751 $3,457
1996 - - $767 $3,372
1995 - - $648 $3,051
1994 - - $634 $3,012
1993 - - $605 $2,703
1992 - - $631 $2,651
1991 - - $831 $2,930
1990 - - $867 $2,757
1989 - - $840 -
1988 - - $816 -
1987 - - $726 -
1986 - - $693 -
1985 - - $649 -
1984 - - $757 -
1983 - - $959 -
1982 - - $1,096 -
1981 - - $1,069 -
1980 - - $949 -
1979 - - $779 -
1978 - - $665 -
1977 - - $677 -
1976 - - $687 -
1975 - - $717 -
1974 - - $674 -
1973 - - $579 -
1972 - - $483 -
1971 - - $406 -
1970 - - $361 -
1969 - - $346 -
1968 - - $302 -
1967 - - $294.4 -
1966 - - $278.7 -
1965 - - $294.3 -
1964 - - $281.9 -
1963 - - $277.1 -
1962 - - $275.7 -
1961 - - $279.2 -
1960 - - $276.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Afghanistan's GDP per capita is $417, ranking 196/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Afghanistan ranks 184th at $2,202, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Afghanistan Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$17.8B
2024
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
139/197
2024
95/197
2025
GDP growth
1.87%
2023-2024
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$417
2024
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
196/197
2024
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,202
2023
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
184/197
2023
154/197
2024
Government debt
$1.58B
2024
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
7.98%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$37.2
2024
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
185/185
2024
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,529
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.9%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6%
2021
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.68%
2021
12.1%
2024
Population
45682388
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Afghanistan
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Afghanistan Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20% 7.98% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 19.7% 8.91% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 17% 8.25% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 16.1% 10.6% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 17.9% 11.1% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 27.9% 7.33% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 28% 6.14% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 28.9% 7.38% 14.6% 33%
2017 27.7% 8% 21.1% 49%
2016 28% 8.44% 17% 35.1%
2015 25.9% 9.15% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 25.4% 8.7% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 25% 6.9% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 25% 6.76% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 21.9% 7.5% 16.5% 30%
2010 20.8% 7.7% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 21.2% 16.2% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 20.9% 19.1% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 21.4% 20.1% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 18.3% 23% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 15.7% 206.4% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 15.1% 245% - -
2003 11.9% 270.6% - -
2002 6.94% 346% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Afghanistan's government spending was $3.5B, accounting for 20% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 7.98% in Afghanistan and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 181/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Afghanistan

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Afghanistan Zimbabwe
2025 -0.89% 0.08%
2024 -0.55% -0.76%
2023 -1.33% -9.45%
2022 -1% -1%
2021 -0.48% -1.83%
2020 -2.24% 0.53%
2019 -1.06% -0.06%
2018 1.63% -4.55%
2017 -0.67% -8.68%
2016 0.13% -4.99%
2015 -1.38% -1.61%
2014 -1.72% -0.87%
2013 -0.63% -1.21%
2012 0.18% -0.35%
2011 -0.67% -1.98%
2010 0.93% -0.4%
2009 -1.76% -1.48%
2008 -3.86% -1.22%
2007 -2.46% -1.71%
2006 0.68% -1.46%
2005 -0.92% -3.58%
2004 -2.39% -
2003 -2.1% -
2002 -0.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Afghanistan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $97.4M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's deficit of $314M, or 0.76% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Afghanistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Afghanistan posted an annual deficit equal to 0.86% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.33% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Afghanistan

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Afghanistan Zimbabwe
2025 2.9% 81.4%
2024 -4.3% 736%
2023 -7.7% 667%
2022 10.6% 193.4%
2021 7.8% 98.5%
2020 5.6% 557%
2019 2.3% 255.3%
2018 0.6% 10.6%
2017 5% 0.9%
2016 4.4% -1.6%
2015 -0.7% -2.4%
2014 4.7% -0.2%
2013 7.4% 1.6%
2012 6.4% 3.7%
2011 11.8% 3.5%
2010 2.2% 3%
2009 -6.8% 6.2%
2008 26.4% -
2007 8.7% -
2006 6.8% -
2005 10.6% -
2004 16.4% -
2003 35.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2003–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, Afghanistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.07%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 2.9% in Afghanistan and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Afghanistan
Export category Export value
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $25K
Chemicals & pharma $9K

Balance of trade

Afghanistan Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$3.14B
2020
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
153/190
2020
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.7%
2020
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$5.88B
2020
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$777M
2020
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$1.11B
2020
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$700M
2020
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.1%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Afghanistan Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 53 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 142/197 190/197
Property rights 3.6 19.4
Government integrity 13.5 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 0 16.8
Tax burden 92 73.6
Government spending 90.8 93.9
Fiscal health 98.4 52.4
Business freedom 33.7 42
Labor freedom 44.4 33.3
Monetary freedom 84.9 0
Trade freedom 68.6 50.4
Investment freedom 10 10
Financial freedom 10 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Afghanistan
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Afghanistan Zimbabwe
2026 - 35.2
2025 - 35.1
2024 - 38.2
2023 - 39
2022 - 33.1
2021 53 39.5
2020 54.7 43.1
2019 51.5 40.4
2018 51.3 44
2017 48.9 44
2016 - 38.2
2015 - 37.6
2014 - 35.5
2013 - 28.6
2012 - 26.3
2011 - 22.1
2010 - 21.4
2009 - 22.7
2008 - 29.5
2007 - 32
2006 - 33.5
2005 - 35.2
2004 - 34.4
2003 - 36.7
2002 - 36.7
2001 - 38.8
2000 - 48.7
1999 - 47.2
1998 - 44.6
1997 - 48
1996 - 46.7
1995 - 48.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Afghanistan is 53, ranking 142/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Afghanistan Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
45.2%
2024
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
14.5%
2024
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.8B
2024
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,250
2024
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.75B
2020
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2020
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$24.3M
2020
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.38%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47.1%
2019
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
8.85%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2002–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.