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Economy of Barbados vs Burkina Faso compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Barbados has a GDP of $7.5B compared to $23.1B for Burkina Faso, ranking 157/197 and 122/197 by economy size, respectively.

Barbados has $7.97B in government debt (106.3% of GDP), compared to $13.2B (57.2% of GDP) in Burkina Faso.

Barbados vs Burkina Faso GDP by year

Barbados
Burkina Faso
1x
Year GDP, current $
Barbados Burkina Faso
2024 $7,498,050,000 $23,124,729,853
2023 $7,223,250,000 $20,112,614,449
2022 $6,884,900,000 $18,622,421,395
2021 $5,947,550,000 $19,697,516,284
2020 $5,407,050,000 $17,725,010,533
2019 $6,161,850,000 $16,032,813,503
2018 $6,001,950,000 $15,890,066,221
2017 $5,683,150,000 $14,106,955,615
2016 $5,674,600,000 $12,833,363,045
2015 $5,698,150,000 $11,832,159,316
2014 $5,620,600,000 $13,943,016,077
2013 $5,667,200,000 $13,444,300,486
2012 $5,761,450,000 $12,561,015,157
2011 $5,663,100,000 $12,080,295,978
2010 $5,672,900,000 $10,109,619,741
2009 $4,466,809,600 $9,450,696,873
2008 $4,790,410,400 $9,451,435,490
2007 $4,675,767,950 $7,625,722,837
2006 $4,217,323,400 $6,547,419,820
2005 $3,819,500,000 $6,146,353,173
2004 $3,444,500,000 $5,451,688,538
2003 $3,209,500,000 $4,740,768,143
2002 $3,106,500,000 $3,622,350,063
2001 $3,054,500,000 $3,190,371,081
2000 $3,059,500,000 $2,968,370,088
1999 $2,951,822,205 $3,389,566,713
1998 $2,817,083,478 $2,804,902,367
1997 $2,498,384,130 $2,447,669,102
1996 $2,363,645,403 $2,586,550,595
1995 $2,216,974,096 $2,379,517,975
1994 $2,151,344,901 $1,895,290,637
1993 $2,063,342,117 $3,199,536,465
1992 $1,957,000,000 $3,356,692,505
1991 $2,020,583,702 $3,135,045,584
1990 $2,012,131,457 $3,101,300,779
1989 $2,006,165,167 $2,615,587,734
1988 $1,812,757,918 $2,616,040,479
1987 $1,704,370,308 $2,369,834,950
1986 $1,547,755,183 $2,036,303,358
1985 $1,409,536,121 $1,552,493,196
1984 $1,346,890,071 $1,459,880,132
1983 $1,236,016,507 $1,600,278,605
1982 $1,163,923,830 $1,754,450,096
1981 $1,114,204,743 $1,775,842,334
1980 $1,012,280,615 $1,928,719,888
1979 $670,362,452 $1,748,480,621
1978 $552,883,707 $1,475,583,645
1977 $495,097,668 $1,131,224,878
1976 $435,911,269 $976,547,188
1975 $402,178,605 $939,972,703
1974 $311,804,630 $751,133,430
1973 $260,767,828 $674,773,570
1972 $213,725,217 $578,595,522
1971 $186,826,503 $482,411,179
1970 $166,210,203 $458,404,269
1969 $141,393,142 $478,298,645
1968 $125,733,669 $460,442,689
1967 $125,554,009 $450,753,924
1966 $113,195,123 $433,889,766
1965 $105,021,997 $422,916,790
1964 $99,252,731 $410,321,645
1963 $99,893,761 $394,040,667
1962 $88,782,583 $379,567,099
1961 $85,363,759 $350,247,234
1960 $80,021,847 $330,442,816

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/burkina-faso | CC BY

GDP per capita in Barbados vs Burkina Faso by year

Barbados
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Barbados Burkina Faso
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $26,545 $24,823 $982 $2,896
2023 $25,584 $23,660 $873 $2,759
2022 $24,387 $22,193 $827 $2,645
2021 $21,080 $17,683 $896 $2,486
2020 $19,194 $16,555 $825 $2,381
2019 $21,912 $19,971 $765 $2,232
2018 $21,381 $19,777 $777 $2,073
2017 $20,285 $18,437 $709 $2,042
2016 $20,296 $19,176 $664 $1,882
2015 $20,424 $19,186 $630 $1,692
2014 $20,193 $18,595 $765 $1,661
2013 $20,410 $19,032 $760 $1,643
2012 $20,804 $19,605 $731 $1,572
2011 $20,508 $20,316 $725 $1,531
2010 $20,611 $20,033 $625 $1,449
2009 $16,295 $20,324 $602 $1,360
2008 $17,566 $21,376 $619 $1,351
2007 $17,235 $20,949 $515 $1,290
2006 $15,620 $20,076 $456 $1,244
2005 $14,214 $18,450 $441 $1,172
2004 $12,886 $17,299 $404 $1,079
2003 $12,076 $16,707 $362 $1,038
2002 $11,760 $16,133 $285.7 $974
2001 $11,640 $15,866 $259.5 $948
2000 $11,675 $15,914 $248.9 $896
1999 $11,244 $14,873 $292.8 $886
1998 $10,734 $14,621 $249.5 $838
1997 $9,522 $13,941 $223.9 $794
1996 $9,012 $13,090 $242.7 $753
1995 $8,460 $12,375 $229.1 $684
1994 $8,223 $11,900 $187.2 $650
1993 $7,905 $11,448 $324 $644
1992 $7,519 $11,127 $349 $623
1991 $7,790 $11,576 $334 $623
1990 $7,781 $11,687 $339 $567
1989 $7,773 - $293.2 -
1988 $7,033 - $301 -
1987 $6,625 - $280.2 -
1986 $6,031 - $247.5 -
1985 $5,510 - $194.1 -
1984 $5,284 - $187.8 -
1983 $4,866 - $211.9 -
1982 $4,599 - $239 -
1981 $4,417 - $248.7 -
1980 $4,025 - $277.6 -
1979 $2,668 - $258.5 -
1978 $2,198 - $223.9 -
1977 $1,968 - $176 -
1976 $1,734 - $155.5 -
1975 $1,601 - $152.9 -
1974 $1,243 - $124.7 -
1973 $1,042 - $114.1 -
1972 $856 - $99.6 -
1971 $750 - $84.5 -
1970 $666 - $81.7 -
1969 $567 - $86.8 -
1968 $506 - $85 -
1967 $508 - $84.6 -
1966 $462 - $82.8 -
1965 $433 - $82.1 -
1964 $414 - $80.9 -
1963 $421 - $78.9 -
1962 $377 - $77.2 -
1961 $366 - $72.2 -
1960 $347 - $69.2 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/burkina-faso | CC BY

Barbados' GDP per capita is $26,545, ranking 46/197, compared to $982 in Burkina Faso, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Barbados ranks 84th at $24,823, while Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896.

Economic indicators

Barbados Burkina Faso
Gross domestic product
$7.5B
2024
$23.1B
2024
GDP rank
157/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP growth
2.48%
2023-2024
4.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,545
2024
$982
2024
GDP per capita rank
46/197
2024
180/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$24,823
2024
$2,896
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
84/197
2024
181/197
2024
Government debt
$7.97B
2024
$13.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
106.3%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,218
2024
$562
2024
Government debt per person rank
26/185
2024
162/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$18,869
2026
$2,710
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.78B
2020
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2016
30.2%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.5%
2016
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
27.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.44%
2023-2024
4.19%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.54%
2023
3.44%
2024
Population
282798
24756783

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Barbados
Spending

Debt
Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Barbados Burkina Faso
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.2% 106.3% 27.8% 57.2%
2023 28.8% 113.4% 29.4% 56.8%
2022 30.3% 116.9% 32.9% 59.2%
2021 32.5% 130.2% 27.8% 55.5%
2020 30.3% 128.4% 24.4% 43.6%
2019 23.9% 109.5% 23.3% 41.7%
2018 26.9% 115% 24.2% 38.1%
2017 29.8% 143.6% 26.3% 33.9%
2016 30.7% 136.5% 21.6% 32.9%
2015 31.4% 131.9% 20.4% 31.3%
2014 29% 122% 20.9% 26.1%
2013 30.8% 118.6% 25.3% 25.9%
2012 30.6% 109.4% 22.7% 25.2%
2011 27.7% 98.7% 20.4% 24.5%
2010 29.7% 96% 21.7% 23.7%
2009 29.5% 88.5% 21.5% 25.9%
2008 28.1% 72.6% 18.6% 24.9%
2007 27.8% 69% 22.8% 22.4%
2006 27.2% 69.8% 21.9% 20.1%
2005 28.7% 68.2% 20.2% 39.2%
2004 28.5% 66.5% 20.3% 40.7%
2003 29.8% 66.6% 17.6% 39.7%
2002 31% 66.1% 19.5% 43.3%
2001 22% 62.6% 19.7% 46.6%
2000 20.8% 56.6% 19.8% 47.5%
1999 19.7% 50.1% 21.4% 46.4%
1998 19% 50.5% 19.7% 47.7%
1997 21.5% 56.9% 20% 48.4%
1996 20.5% 56.1% 19.8% 45.8%
1995 18.6% 55.9% 19.4% 48.9%
1994 17% 55% 17.8% 55.1%
1993 - - 17.9% 33.6%
1992 - - 16.7% 29.6%
1991 - - 17% 28.7%
1990 - - 18.4% 25.6%
1989 - - 14.2% 25.5%
1988 - - 16.2% 28.8%
1987 - - 19.2% 30.7%
1986 - - 16.3% 27.6%
1985 - - 11.5% 28.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/burkina-faso | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government spending was $2.26B, accounting for 30.2% of its GDP, while Burkina Faso spent $6.43B, or 27.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 106.3% in Barbados and 57.2% in Burkina Faso, ranking 18/185 and 89/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Barbados

Burkina Faso
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Barbados Burkina Faso
2024 -0.89% -5.84%
2023 -1.71% -6.91%
2022 -1.96% -10.9%
2021 -4.65% -7.45%
2020 -4.16% -5.16%
2019 3.08% -3.39%
2018 -0.34% -4.43%
2017 -3.89% -6.92%
2016 -4.88% -3.08%
2015 -8.16% -2.09%
2014 -6.57% -1.74%
2013 -8.98% -3.55%
2012 -7.07% -2.76%
2011 -3.63% -2.04%
2010 -7.55% -4.06%
2009 -6.56% -4.16%
2008 -4.1% -3.63%
2007 -4.34% -5.01%
2006 -3.41% 14.3%
2005 -3.03% -4.89%
2004 -2.97% -4.19%
2003 -3.08% -1.79%
2002 -5.28% -4.43%
2001 4.07% -3.56%
2000 4.94% -3.03%
1999 5.39% -3.29%
1998 6.03% -2.6%
1997 5.64% -2.64%
1996 3.76% -1.67%
1995 6.22% -2.65%
1994 6.72% -1.89%
1993 - -3.81%
1992 - -2.51%
1991 - -2.77%
1990 - -7.54%
1989 - 1.96%
1988 - -4.32%
1987 - -5.27%
1986 - -5.1%
1985 - -1.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/burkina-faso | CC BY

In 2024, Barbados' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.8M, equivalent to 0.89% of GDP. This compares to Burkina Faso's deficit of $1.35B, or 5.84% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Barbados recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Burkina Faso ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Barbados posted an annual deficit equal to 1.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Burkina Faso.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Barbados

Burkina Faso
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Barbados Burkina Faso
2024 -0.44% 4.19%
2023 9.79% 0.74%
2022 - 14.3%
2021 - 3.65%
2020 - 1.88%
2019 4.1% -3.23%
2018 3.67% 1.96%
2017 4.66% 1.48%
2016 1.28% 0.44%
2015 -1.11% 0.72%
2014 1.77% -0.26%
2013 1.81% 0.53%
2012 4.53% 3.82%
2011 9.43% 2.76%
2010 5.82% -0.76%
2009 3.64% 2.61%
2008 8.11% 10.7%
2007 4.03% -0.23%
2006 7.31% 2.33%
2005 6.08% 6.42%
2004 1.39% -0.4%
2003 1.62% 2.03%
2002 0.13% 2.18%
2001 2.58% 5.01%
2000 2.44% -0.3%
1999 1.56% -1.07%
1998 -1.27% 5.08%
1997 7.71% 2.32%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/burkina-faso | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Barbados has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.63%, compared with 2.46% in Burkina Faso. In 2024, inflation was -0.44% in Barbados and 4.19% in Burkina Faso.

Balance of trade

Barbados Burkina Faso
Current account balance
-$296M
2017
-$1.02B
2023
Current account balance ranking
100/190
2017
122/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.22%
2017
-5.06%
2023
Goods imports
$1.53B
2017
$5.38B
2023
Goods exports
$705M
2017
$5.29B
2023
Service imports
$687M
2017
$1.45B
2023
Service exports
$1.52B
2017
$621M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
31.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
14.5%
2025
28.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Barbados Burkina Faso
Economic freedom 70.4 49.1
Economic freedom ranking 34/197 167/197
Property rights 76.4 17.6
Government integrity 71.3 40.2
Judicial effectiveness 87.3 26.1
Tax burden 83.2 80.8
Government spending 74.5 72.9
Fiscal health 76.5 13.4
Business freedom 72.3 37.8
Labor freedom 54.3 62.1
Monetary freedom 80.8 71.9
Trade freedom 48.2 61
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Barbados
Burkina Faso
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Barbados Burkina Faso
2026 70.4 49.1
2025 68.9 51
2024 66.8 51.9
2023 69.8 56.2
2022 71.3 58.3
2021 65 56.5
2020 61.4 56.7
2019 64.7 59.4
2018 57 60
2017 54.5 59.6
2016 68.3 59.1
2015 67.9 58.6
2014 68.3 58.9
2013 69.3 59.9
2012 69 60.6
2011 68.5 60.6
2010 68.3 59.4
2009 71.5 59.5
2008 71.3 55.7
2007 70 55.1
2006 71.9 55.8
2005 70.1 56.6
2004 69.4 58
2003 71.3 58.9
2002 73.6 58.8
2001 71.5 56.7
2000 69.5 55.7
1999 66.7 55
1998 67.9 54.5
1997 64.5 54
1996 62.3 49.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/barbados/burkina-faso | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Barbados is 70.4, ranking 34/197, compared to 49.1 for Burkina Faso, ranking 167/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Barbados Burkina Faso
Services, % of GDP
75.5%
2024
43.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.4%
2024
26.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.58%
2024
20.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.1B
2024
$20.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$23,850
2024
$2,720
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.65B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
131/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$208M
2017
-$64.3M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$303M
2024
$82.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6M
2024
$2.73M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.07%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.7%
2016
43.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
21.9%
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/barbados/burkina-faso | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.