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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Central African Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 122/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Burkina Faso vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso CAR
2024 $23,124,729,853 $2,751,494,281
2023 $20,112,614,449 $2,555,492,086
2022 $18,622,421,395 $2,382,618,615
2021 $19,697,516,284 $2,516,498,412
2020 $17,725,010,533 $2,326,720,900
2019 $16,032,813,503 $2,221,301,351
2018 $15,890,066,221 $2,220,979,146
2017 $14,106,955,615 $2,072,349,973
2016 $12,833,363,045 $1,825,018,145
2015 $11,832,159,316 $1,695,825,714
2014 $13,943,016,077 $1,894,813,389
2013 $13,444,300,486 $1,691,544,110
2012 $12,561,015,157 $2,510,126,512
2011 $12,080,295,978 $2,437,982,705
2010 $10,109,619,741 $2,142,591,540
2009 $9,450,696,873 $2,067,381,665
2008 $9,451,435,490 $1,993,407,888
2007 $7,625,722,837 $1,699,811,295
2006 $6,547,419,820 $1,461,859,762
2005 $6,146,353,173 $1,337,894,379
2004 $5,451,688,538 $1,272,360,517
2003 $4,740,768,143 $1,142,315,523
2002 $3,622,350,063 $996,068,145
2001 $3,190,371,081 $932,648,605
2000 $2,968,370,088 $916,777,283
1999 $3,389,566,713 $999,477,511
1998 $2,804,902,367 $967,338,390
1997 $2,447,669,102 $937,741,513
1996 $2,586,550,595 $1,007,791,127
1995 $2,379,517,975 $1,115,389,674
1994 $1,895,290,637 $851,174,357
1993 $3,199,536,465 $1,278,781,262
1992 $3,356,692,505 $1,411,917,553
1991 $3,135,045,584 $1,377,374,987
1990 $3,101,300,779 $1,440,711,459
1989 $2,615,587,734 $1,233,930,281
1988 $2,616,040,479 $1,264,899,288
1987 $2,369,834,950 $1,200,991,978
1986 $2,036,303,358 $1,122,265,013
1985 $1,552,493,196 $864,849,836
1984 $1,459,880,132 $637,820,670
1983 $1,600,278,605 $658,679,333
1982 $1,754,450,096 $748,312,391
1981 $1,775,842,334 $694,803,623
1980 $1,928,719,888 $797,048,199
1979 $1,748,480,621 $700,764,748
1978 $1,475,583,645 $610,578,632
1977 $1,131,224,878 $507,298,148
1976 $976,547,188 $451,152,461
1975 $939,972,703 $378,660,016
1974 $751,133,430 $281,398,706
1973 $674,773,570 $271,183,082
1972 $578,595,522 $230,317,883
1971 $482,411,179 $201,450,800
1970 $458,404,269 $189,106,529
1969 $478,298,645 $188,039,210
1968 $460,442,689 $191,767,442
1967 $450,753,924 $163,820,514
1966 $433,889,766 $157,930,018
1965 $422,916,790 $150,574,795
1964 $410,321,645 $142,025,079
1963 $394,040,667 $129,379,124
1962 $379,567,099 $124,482,774
1961 $350,247,234 $123,134,583
1960 $330,442,816 $112,155,598

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Central African Republic by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $516 $1,263
2023 $873 $2,759 $496 $1,257
2022 $827 $2,645 $467 $1,218
2021 $896 $2,486 $492 $1,129
2020 $825 $2,381 $463 $1,066
2019 $765 $2,232 $449 $985
2018 $777 $2,073 $455 $906
2017 $709 $2,042 $432 $884
2016 $664 $1,882 $387 $826
2015 $630 $1,692 $366 $769
2014 $765 $1,661 $410 $699
2013 $760 $1,643 $364 $710
2012 $731 $1,572 $544 $1,062
2011 $725 $1,531 $534 $980
2010 $625 $1,449 $477 $936
2009 $602 $1,360 $456 $877
2008 $619 $1,351 $437 $798
2007 $515 $1,290 $381 $783
2006 $456 $1,244 $334 $743
2005 $441 $1,172 $312 $702
2004 $404 $1,079 $303 $690
2003 $362 $1,038 $278.4 $648
2002 $285.7 $974 $248.6 $688
2001 $259.5 $948 $238 $668
2000 $248.9 $896 $239.2 $640
1999 $292.8 $886 $268 $660
1998 $249.5 $838 $266.6 $645
1997 $223.9 $794 $265.5 $626
1996 $242.7 $753 $293.3 $601
1995 $229.1 $684 $333 $631
1994 $187.2 $650 $261.3 $592
1993 $324 $644 $405 $570
1992 $349 $623 $462 $573
1991 $334 $623 $465 $618
1990 $339 $567 $502 $620
1989 $293.2 - $443 -
1988 $301 - $466 -
1987 $280.2 - $450 -
1986 $247.5 - $426 -
1985 $194.1 - $333 -
1984 $187.8 - $248.3 -
1983 $211.9 - $259.6 -
1982 $239 - $298.4 -
1981 $248.7 - $280.3 -
1980 $277.6 - $325 -
1979 $258.5 - $289.1 -
1978 $223.9 - $254.6 -
1977 $176 - $213.8 -
1976 $155.5 - $192.1 -
1975 $152.9 - $163.6 -
1974 $124.7 - $124 -
1973 $114.1 - $121.8 -
1972 $99.6 - $105.5 -
1971 $84.5 - $94.1 -
1970 $81.7 - $90.2 -
1969 $86.8 - $91.7 -
1968 $85 - $95.6 -
1967 $84.6 - $83.6 -
1966 $82.8 - $82.3 -
1965 $82.1 - $80.2 -
1964 $80.9 - $77.2 -
1963 $78.9 - $71.8 -
1962 $77.2 - $70.4 -
1961 $72.2 - $71 -
1960 $69.2 - $65.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/central-african-republic | CC BY

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso CAR
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$1,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
6.9%
2017
Population
24756783
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 16% 20.3%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 16% 35.8%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 16.2% 103%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 20% 48.4% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 11.7% 93%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 17% 28.7% 22.6% 55.8%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 22% 44.6%
1989 14.2% 25.5% 19.6% 50.9%
1988 16.2% 28.8% 21.4% 48.8%
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/burkina-faso/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 89/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso CAR
2024 -5.84% -5.08%
2023 -6.91% -3.44%
2022 -10.9% -5.23%
2021 -7.45% -5.8%
2020 -5.16% -3.24%
2019 -3.39% 1.33%
2018 -4.43% -0.93%
2017 -6.92% -1%
2016 -3.08% 1.17%
2015 -2.09% -0.53%
2014 -1.74% -3.02%
2013 -3.55% -2.3%
2012 -2.76% -0.78%
2011 -2.04% -2.15%
2010 -4.06% -1.35%
2009 -4.16% -0.54%
2008 -3.63% -1.23%
2007 -5.01% 1.04%
2006 14.3% 8.58%
2005 -4.89% -4.37%
2004 -4.19% -1.74%
2003 -1.79% -3.06%
2002 -4.43% -1.19%
2001 -3.56% -0.88%
2000 -3.03% -2.01%
1999 -3.29% -0.5%
1998 -2.6% 0.001%
1997 -2.64% -1.57%
1996 -1.67% -1.06%
1995 -2.65% -4.84%
1994 -1.89% -7.57%
1993 -3.81% -5.66%
1992 -2.51% -7.33%
1991 -2.77% -8%
1990 -7.54% -6.6%
1989 1.96% -3.25%
1988 -4.32% -3.72%
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/burkina-faso/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.35B, equivalent to 5.84% of GDP. This compares to the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.37% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso CAR
2024 4.19% 1.5%
2023 0.74% 3%
2022 14.3% 5.6%
2021 3.65% 4.3%
2020 1.88% 0.9%
2019 -3.23% 2.8%
2018 1.96% 1.6%
2017 1.48% 4.2%
2016 0.44% 4.9%
2015 0.72% 1.4%
2014 -0.26% 17.8%
2013 0.53% 4%
2012 3.82% 5.9%
2011 2.76% 1.2%
2010 -0.76% 1.5%
2009 2.61% 3.6%
2008 10.7% 9.2%
2007 -0.23% 0.9%
2006 2.33% 6.9%
2005 6.42% 2.9%
2004 -0.4% -2.6%
2003 2.03% 4.4%
2002 2.18% 2.3%
2001 5.01% 4.1%
2000 -0.3% 3.4%
1999 -1.07% -1.6%
1998 5.08% -2%
1997 2.32% 1.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $148K
Raw agricultural goods $50K
Raw materials & minerals $49K
Chemicals & pharma $44K
Textiles & consumer goods $36K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13K
Wood & paper products $7K
Miscellaneous $4K
Metals $1K
CAR
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.12M

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso CAR
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$146M
1994
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$114M
1994
Service exports
$621M
2023
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso CAR
Economic freedom 49.1 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 182/197
Property rights 17.6 5.6
Government integrity 40.2 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 4
Tax burden 80.8 65.5
Government spending 72.9 90.1
Fiscal health 13.4 59
Business freedom 37.8 26.5
Labor freedom 62.1 48.5
Monetary freedom 71.9 75.6
Trade freedom 61 47.6
Investment freedom 65 45
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso CAR
2026 49.1 43.1
2025 51 42.8
2024 51.9 41.3
2023 56.2 43.8
2022 58.3 45.7
2021 56.5 48.8
2020 56.7 50.7
2019 59.4 49.1
2018 60 49.2
2017 59.6 51.8
2016 59.1 45.2
2015 58.6 45.9
2014 58.9 46.7
2013 59.9 50.4
2012 60.6 50.3
2011 60.6 49.3
2010 59.4 48.4
2009 59.5 48.3
2008 55.7 48.6
2007 55.1 50.6
2006 55.8 54.2
2005 56.6 56.5
2004 58 57.5
2003 58.9 60
2002 58.8 59.8
2001 56.7 -
2000 55.7 -
1999 55 -
1998 54.5 -
1997 54 -
1996 49.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/central-african-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 43.1 for the Central African Republic, ranking 182/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso CAR
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
23.6%
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/burkina-faso/central-african-republic | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.