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Burkina Faso economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso ranked 122/197 by economy size with a GDP of $23.1B and 180/197 by GDP per capita at $982. Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 57.2%.

In 2024, Burkina Faso made up 0.02% of the world's economy, compared to 0.02% in 1960.

Burkina Faso GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $23,124,729,853 4.8%
2023 $20,112,614,449 3%
2022 $18,622,421,395 1.63%
2021 $19,697,516,284 6.94%
2020 $17,725,010,533 2.01%
2019 $16,032,813,503 5.89%
2018 $15,890,066,221 6.6%
2017 $14,106,955,615 6.2%
2016 $12,833,363,045 5.96%
2015 $11,832,159,316 3.92%
2014 $13,943,016,077 4.33%
2013 $13,444,300,486 5.79%
2012 $12,561,015,157 6.45%
2011 $12,080,295,978 6.62%
2010 $10,109,619,741 8.45%
2009 $9,450,696,873 2.96%
2008 $9,451,435,490 5.8%
2007 $7,625,722,837 4.11%
2006 $6,547,419,820 6.25%
2005 $6,146,353,173 8.66%
2004 $5,451,688,538 4.48%
2003 $4,740,768,143 7.8%
2002 $3,622,350,063 4.35%
2001 $3,190,371,081 6.61%
2000 $2,968,370,088 1.89%
1999 $3,389,566,713 7.4%
1998 $2,804,902,367 7.31%
1997 $2,447,669,102 6.32%
1996 $2,586,550,595 11%
1995 $2,379,517,975 5.72%
1994 $1,895,290,637 1.32%
1993 $3,199,536,465 3.46%
1992 $3,356,692,505 0.23%
1991 $3,135,045,584 9.07%
1990 $3,101,300,779 -0.6%
1989 $2,615,587,734 2.15%
1988 $2,616,040,479 5.8%
1987 $2,369,834,950 -0.24%
1986 $2,036,303,358 7.96%
1985 $1,552,493,196 8.52%
1984 $1,459,880,132 -1.78%
1983 $1,600,278,605 0.35%
1982 $1,754,450,096 9.56%
1981 $1,775,842,334 4.26%
1980 $1,928,719,888 0.8%
1979 $1,748,480,621 3.66%
1978 $1,475,583,645 4.61%
1977 $1,131,224,878 0.37%
1976 $976,547,188 8.53%
1975 $939,972,703 3%
1974 $751,133,430 8.29%
1973 $674,773,570 0.45%
1972 $578,595,522 2.31%
1971 $482,411,179 1.41%
1970 $458,404,269 0.12%
1969 $478,298,645 2.03%
1968 $460,442,689 3.07%
1967 $450,753,924 8.82%
1966 $433,889,766 0.54%
1965 $422,916,790 3.76%
1964 $410,321,645 2.28%
1963 $394,040,667 -1.27%
1962 $379,567,099 6.13%
1961 $350,247,234 4.04%
1960 $330,442,816 -

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

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

Burkina Faso GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896
2023 $873 $2,759
2022 $827 $2,645
2021 $896 $2,486
2020 $825 $2,381
2019 $765 $2,232
2018 $777 $2,073
2017 $709 $2,042
2016 $664 $1,882
2015 $630 $1,692
2014 $765 $1,661
2013 $760 $1,643
2012 $731 $1,572
2011 $725 $1,531
2010 $625 $1,449
2009 $602 $1,360
2008 $619 $1,351
2007 $515 $1,290
2006 $456 $1,244
2005 $441 $1,172
2004 $404 $1,079
2003 $362 $1,038
2002 $285.7 $974
2001 $259.5 $948
2000 $248.9 $896
1999 $292.8 $886
1998 $249.5 $838
1997 $223.9 $794
1996 $242.7 $753
1995 $229.1 $684
1994 $187.2 $650
1993 $324 $644
1992 $349 $623
1991 $334 $623
1990 $339 $567
1989 $293.2 -
1988 $301 -
1987 $280.2 -
1986 $247.5 -
1985 $194.1 -
1984 $187.8 -
1983 $211.9 -
1982 $239 -
1981 $248.7 -
1980 $277.6 -
1979 $258.5 -
1978 $223.9 -
1977 $176 -
1976 $155.5 -
1975 $152.9 -
1974 $124.7 -
1973 $114.1 -
1972 $99.6 -
1971 $84.5 -
1970 $81.7 -
1969 $86.8 -
1968 $85 -
1967 $84.6 -
1966 $82.8 -
1965 $82.1 -
1964 $80.9 -
1963 $78.9 -
1962 $77.2 -
1961 $72.2 -
1960 $69.2 -

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

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

Burkina Faso has a GDP per capita of $982, ranking 180/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $2,896, ranking 181/197, and a median annual after tax income of $2,710, ranking 148/197.

Burkina Faso GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 121 169 166
2023 121 179 174
2022 126 182 175
2021 116 175 175
2020 117 179 175
2019 124 181 177
2018 126 179 176
2017 126 182 175
2016 126 182 176
2015 134 184 180
2014 129 181 179
2013 130 180 180
2012 129 180 178
2011 131 181 181
2010 133 182 183
2009 133 183 184
2008 134 178 182
2007 135 177 181
2006 134 176 181
2005 133 176 181
2004 129 178 181
2003 131 173 181
2002 132 180 182
2001 133 179 182
2000 137 182 183
1999 131 172 179
1998 134 178 176
1997 135 181 175
1996 134 177 173
1995 134 176 174
1994 132 176 173
1993 116 157 172
1992 114 153 174
1991 121 160 173
1990 120 159 173
1989 110 146 -
1988 110 147 -
1987 105 148 -
1986 103 145 -
1985 109 152 -
1984 108 150 -
1983 106 147 -
1982 103 143 -
1981 104 145 -
1980 101 140 -
1979 95 128 -
1978 96 130 -
1977 96 135 -
1976 97 133 -
1975 97 134 -
1974 98 133 -
1973 95 131 -
1972 94 131 -
1971 94 132 -
1970 94 132 -
1969 89 112 -
1968 89 111 -
1967 86 110 -
1966 85 110 -
1965 85 108 -
1964 82 104 -
1963 81 102 -
1962 81 102 -
1961 80 101 -
1960 79 101 -

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

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

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Burkina Faso is ranked 121st out of 182 by GDP (up from 137th), 169th by GDP per capita (up from 182nd), and 166th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 183rd).

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Rank
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
122/197
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
44/194
GDP per capita
$982
2024
180/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
181/197
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
116/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
89/185
Government debt per person
$562
2024
162/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
148/197
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
56/169
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
58/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
108/195
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
73/195
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
140/196
Population
24756783
59/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 27.8% 57.2% -5.84%
2023 29.4% 56.8% -6.91%
2022 32.9% 59.2% -10.9%
2021 27.8% 55.5% -7.45%
2020 24.4% 43.6% -5.16%
2019 23.3% 41.7% -3.39%
2018 24.2% 38.1% -4.43%
2017 26.3% 33.9% -6.92%
2016 21.6% 32.9% -3.08%
2015 20.4% 31.3% -2.09%
2014 20.9% 26.1% -1.74%
2013 25.3% 25.9% -3.55%
2012 22.7% 25.2% -2.76%
2011 20.4% 24.5% -2.04%
2010 21.7% 23.7% -4.06%
2009 21.5% 25.9% -4.16%
2008 18.6% 24.9% -3.63%
2007 22.8% 22.4% -5.01%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 14.3%
2005 20.2% 39.2% -4.89%
2004 20.3% 40.7% -4.19%
2003 17.6% 39.7% -1.79%
2002 19.5% 43.3% -4.43%
2001 19.7% 46.6% -3.56%
2000 19.8% 47.5% -3.03%
1999 21.4% 46.4% -3.29%
1998 19.7% 47.7% -2.6%
1997 20% 48.4% -2.64%
1996 19.8% 45.8% -1.67%
1995 19.4% 48.9% -2.65%
1994 17.8% 55.1% -1.89%
1993 17.9% 33.6% -3.81%
1992 16.7% 29.6% -2.51%
1991 17% 28.7% -2.77%
1990 18.4% 25.6% -7.54%
1989 14.2% 25.5% 1.96%
1988 16.2% 28.8% -4.32%
1987 19.2% 30.7% -5.27%
1986 16.3% 27.6% -5.1%
1985 11.5% 28.5% -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 (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

This chart shows Burkina Faso's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $6.43B (27.8% of GDP), with a deficit of 5.84%.

The national debt reached $13.2B, ranking 116th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 57.2%, ranking 89th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 4.19%
2023 0.74%
2022 14.3%
2021 3.65%
2020 1.88%
2019 -3.23%
2018 1.96%
2017 1.48%
2016 0.44%
2015 0.72%
2014 -0.26%
2013 0.53%
2012 3.82%
2011 2.76%
2010 -0.76%
2009 2.61%
2008 10.7%
2007 -0.23%
2006 2.33%
2005 6.42%
2004 -0.4%
2003 2.03%
2002 2.18%
2001 5.01%
2000 -0.3%
1999 -1.07%
1998 5.08%
1997 2.32%
1996 6.1%
1995 7.46%
1994 25.2%
1993 0.55%
1992 -1.99%
1991 2.16%
1990 -0.5%
1989 -0.48%
1988 4.26%
1987 -2.68%
1986 -2.61%
1985 6.91%
1984 4.85%
1983 8.15%
1982 12.1%
1981 7.56%
1980 12.2%
1979 15%
1978 8.27%
1977 30%
1976 -8.4%
1975 18.8%
1974 8.72%
1973 7.6%
1972 -2.92%
1971 2.06%
1970 1.77%
1969 9.66%
1968 -0.29%
1967 -4.33%
1966 2.36%
1965 -0.73%
1964 1.85%
1963 5.57%
1962 1.68%
1961 18.6%
1960 7.79%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, Burkina Faso has had an average annual inflation rate of 2.7%. In 2024, inflation was 4.19%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Rank
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
122/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
139/190
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
134/189
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
119/189
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
135/189
Service exports
$621M
2023
141/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
120/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
118/193

Burkina Faso top 10 trading partners

Burkina Faso's biggest trading partner accounting for 26.3% of all exports and imports is Switzerland, with a trade balance between the two of +$3.16B: Burkina Faso exports $3.17B worth of goods and services to Switzerland and imports $13M.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Burkina Faso.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 Switzerland $3.18B 26.3% $3.17B $13M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
2 UAE $1.55B 12.8% $1.48B $76.1M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
3 Ivory Coast $1.15B 9.46% $164M $982M Textiles & consumer goods Raw materials & minerals
4 China $1.04B 8.63% $23.7M $1.02B Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
5 Russia $754M 6.23% $1.99M $752M Raw materials & minerals Raw materials & minerals
6 Ghana $658M 5.44% $84.3M $574M Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
7 India $350M 2.89% $54.3M $296M Precious metals & jewellery Chemicals & pharma
8 France $345M 2.85% $41.2M $304M Textiles & consumer goods Chemicals & pharma
9 Belgium $265M 2.19% $18.1M $247M Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
10 United States $200M 1.65% $18.5M $182M Textiles & consumer goods Raw materials & minerals

Top 10 exports

Burkina Faso Rank
Precious metals & jewellery $4.65B 29/190
Textiles & consumer goods $342M 95/193
Raw agricultural goods $284M 96/193
Transport & tourism services $168M 148/188
Business & finance services $134M 122/188
Raw materials & minerals $130M 147/193
Manufacturing & construction services $121M 80/164
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $90.3M 133/192
Machinery & equipment $86M 132/193
Government & miscellaneous services $69.8M 86/180

Top 10 imports

Burkina Faso Rank
Raw materials & minerals $3.09B 95/193
Machinery & equipment $1.33B 133/193
Transport & tourism services $712M 139/188
Chemicals & pharma $532M 132/193
Business & finance services $417M 116/188
Metals $391M 132/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $329M 139/193
Raw agricultural goods $304M 129/193
Textiles & consumer goods $221M 148/193
Manufacturing & construction services $160M 73/163

Economic freedom indices

Burkina Faso Rank
Economic freedom 49.1 167/197
Property rights 17.6 163/182
Government integrity 40.2 97/182
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 138/182
Tax burden 80.8 79/182
Government spending 72.9 95/180
Fiscal health 13.4 161/181
Business freedom 37.8 159/182
Labor freedom 62.1 37/182
Monetary freedom 71.9 118/180
Trade freedom 61 145/181
Investment freedom 65 51/181
Financial freedom 40 105/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 49.1 26.1 80.8 72.9 13.4
2025 51 35.7 82 73.3 13.7
2024 51.9 36.4 82.2 76.3 13.2
2023 56.2 42.7 81.5 80.6 52
2022 58.3 36.3 81.8 82.3 66.1
2021 56.5 36.6 80.9 81.9 60.8
2020 56.7 42.6 81.3 77 49.2
2019 59.4 42.9 81.9 80 61.8
2018 60 47.1 80.6 83.7 80.4
2017 59.6 28.4 82.6 82.5 88.4
2016 59.1 - 82.8 76.8 -
2015 58.6 - 82.4 79.8 -
2014 58.9 - 83 82.3 -
2013 59.9 - 81.4 82 -
2012 60.6 - 80.4 84 -
2011 60.6 - 80.5 86 -
2010 59.4 - 80.4 80 -
2009 59.5 - 80.7 83.7 -
2008 55.7 - 77.5 85.9 -
2007 55.1 - 77.4 86.5 -
2006 55.8 - 77.6 87.3 -
2005 56.6 - 77.6 86.4 -
2004 58 - 77.7 84.9 -
2003 58.9 - 77.1 78.1 -
2002 58.8 - 65.9 78.1 -
2001 56.7 - 73.4 76.5 -
2000 55.7 - 69.2 85.5 -
1999 55 - 66.1 86.4 -
1998 54.5 - 66.3 86.9 -
1997 54 - 66.5 85.3 -
1996 49.4 - 66.7 84.3 -

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

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

Burkina Faso is ranked 149/174 for economic freedom with a score of 49.1, compared to 102/162 and a score of 55.8 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Rank
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
162/191
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
72/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
34/193
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
123/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
176/191
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
67/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
148/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
128/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
61/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
34/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
102/178

Compare Burkina Faso vs other countries

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/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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.