Afghanistan: public finances

What is Afghanistan's government debt?

Afghanistan's general government gross debt was an estimated 7.6% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook figures, read on 15 October 2026. The IMF gives 8.3% for 2023 and 8.9% for 2024.

Gross debt is everything the government owes, at home and abroad, as a share of the economy. No national debt report was found on the Ministry of Finance site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: government debt, Afghanistan · Ministry of Finance

Does Afghanistan have a budget deficit?

Afghanistan's general government deficit was an estimated 0.5% of GDP in 2025, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook figures, read on 15 October 2026. The IMF gives deficits of 1.3% for 2023 and 0.5% for 2024.

Net lending or borrowing is revenue minus spending. A negative figure, shown here as a deficit, means the government spent more than it took in. No budget document for the current year was found on the Ministry of Finance site, checked on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: IMF DataMapper: government net lending/borrowing, Afghanistan · Ministry of Finance

What is Afghanistan's debt to GDP ratio?

In 2025, general government gross debt in Afghanistan was 7.6% of GDP, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 6.1% of GDP (2019) to 206.4% of GDP (2005). Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 52.5% of GDP, and Afghanistan placed 20th highest of 20. World rank, highest first: 181st of 185.

What is Afghanistan's fiscal deficit?

In 2025, general government net lending or borrowing in Afghanistan was -0.5% of GDP, according to the IMF, which is a deficit. Its high point since 2005 was 2018, at 1.6% of GDP; its low point was 2008, at -3.9% of GDP. It is 5th highest of 21 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is -5.2% of GDP. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 45th highest.

How much revenue does Afghanistan's government raise?

According to the IMF, general government revenue in Afghanistan was 20.4% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 30.6% of GDP in 2018 and the low 14.7% of GDP in 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 26.3% of GDP; Afghanistan is 14th highest of 21. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 127th highest.

How big is Afghanistan's government spending as a share of GDP?

The IMF puts general government spending in Afghanistan at 20.9% of GDP in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 15.7% of GDP (2005) to 28.9% of GDP (2018). Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 28.7% of GDP; Afghanistan is 17th highest of 21. World rank, highest first: 143rd of 186.

How much tax does Afghanistan collect?

According to the IMF, central government tax revenue in Afghanistan was 9.9% of GDP in 2017. No year since 2006 has been higher. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 11.7% of GDP; Afghanistan is 6th highest of 10. Of 143 countries with 2017 data, 127th highest.

What is Afghanistan's defence spending?

In 2021, military spending in Afghanistan was 1.8% of GDP, according to SIPRI. Its high point since 2005 was 2007, at 2.6% of GDP; its low point was 2017, at 0.9% of GDP. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 3.5% of GDP; Afghanistan is 14th highest of 17. World rank, highest first: 53rd of 154.