Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Afghanistan has a fragile developing economy supported by agriculture, trade, services, and informal activity. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+3.0%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#94
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
0.0 pp
2025: +3.0%
Asia Rank
#31
Out of 49 countries
1. Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Afghan economic growth is influenced by agriculture, trade, humanitarian flows, household demand, and financial access. Political conditions and international restrictions remain especially important.
2. Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate Trends (2003–2026)
Afghanistan’s growth history has been shaped by conflict, foreign assistance, agriculture, and repeated political transitions. Economic activity has remained highly vulnerable to external shocks.
3. Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +3.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 2025 | +3.0% | +1.1 pp |
| 2024 | +1.9% | -0.4 pp |
| 2023 | +2.3% | +8.5 pp |
| 2022 | -6.2% | +8.3 pp |
| 2021 | -14.5% | -12.1 pp |
| 2020 | -2.4% | -6.3 pp |
| 2019 | +3.9% | +2.7 pp |
| 2018 | +1.2% | -1.4 pp |
| 2017 | +2.6% | +0.4 pp |
| 2016 | +2.2% | +1.2 pp |
| 2015 | +1.0% | -1.7 pp |
| 2014 | +2.7% | -3.0 pp |
| 2013 | +5.7% | -8.3 pp |
| 2012 | +14.0% | +7.5 pp |
| 2011 | +6.5% | -1.9 pp |
| 2010 | +8.4% | -12.2 pp |
| 2009 | +20.6% | +16.7 pp |
| 2008 | +3.9% | -9.4 pp |
| 2007 | +13.3% | +7.9 pp |
| 2006 | +5.4% | -6.4 pp |
| 2005 | +11.8% | +11.1 pp |
| 2004 | +0.7% | -8.0 pp |
| 2003 | +8.7% | — |
4. Afghanistan GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+3.0%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+0.8%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
-0.5%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.7%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy faces severe constraints from weak investment, limited financial access, poverty, and restricted international engagement. Agriculture remains a critical source of livelihoods.
5. Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
Afghanistan
+3.0%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.5%
3.0%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Afghanistan’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.6 pp
above the
Asia average
and
0.2 pp
above the world average.
6. Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #27 | United Arab Emirates | +3.1% |
| #28 | Saudi Arabia | +3.1% |
| #29 | North Korea | +3.1% |
| #30 | Maldives | +3.0% |
| #31 | Afghanistan | +3.0% |
| #32 | Myanmar | +3.0% |
| #33 | Nepal | +3.0% |
| #34 | Cyprus | +3.0% |
| #35 | Jordan | +2.8% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Afghanistan
Afghanistan GDP (Nominal)
$19.7 Billion
(2026)
Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate
+3.0%
(2026)
Afghanistan generally underperforms regional economies because structural and political challenges limit normal investment and productivity growth.
Explore more:
Afghanistan GDP
9. Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on political stability, trade, agriculture, humanitarian support, and financial access. Isolation and weak institutions remain major risks.
Forecast data is currently unavailable for
Afghanistan.
10. Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Afghanistan GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.0% in 2026.
It ranks #94 globally and #31 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate was unchanged compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +0.8%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is -0.5%.
The current rate is 0.6 percentage points above the Asia average.
The current rate is 0.2 percentage points above the world average.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Afghanistan GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Afghanistan GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.0% in 2026.
Afghanistan ranks #94 globally and #31 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +3.0% in 2026.
Afghanistan GDP growth rate was +1.0% in 2015.
Afghanistan GDP growth rate is 0.6 percentage points above the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.