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Economy of Burkina Faso vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $18.7T for China, ranking 122/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $16.6T (88.3% of GDP) in China.

Burkina Faso vs China GDP by year

Burkina Faso
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso China
2024 $23,124,729,853 $18,743,803,170,827
2023 $20,112,614,449 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $18,622,421,395 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $19,697,516,284 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $17,725,010,533 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $16,032,813,503 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $15,890,066,221 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $14,106,955,615 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $12,833,363,045 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $11,832,159,316 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $13,943,016,077 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $13,444,300,486 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $12,561,015,157 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $12,080,295,978 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $10,109,619,741 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $9,450,696,873 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $9,451,435,490 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $7,625,722,837 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $6,547,419,820 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $6,146,353,173 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $5,451,688,538 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $4,740,768,143 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $3,622,350,063 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $3,190,371,081 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $2,968,370,088 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 $3,389,566,713 $1,103,843,203,576
1998 $2,804,902,367 $1,037,134,141,760
1997 $2,447,669,102 $967,753,570,435
1996 $2,586,550,595 $868,523,936,530
1995 $2,379,517,975 $738,190,896,228
1994 $1,895,290,637 $566,929,539,493
1993 $3,199,536,465 $446,557,291,212
1992 $3,356,692,505 $428,502,354,788
1991 $3,135,045,584 $384,510,452,962
1990 $3,101,300,779 $361,560,229,446
1989 $2,615,587,734 $348,380,566,802
1988 $2,616,040,479 $312,888,888,889
1987 $2,369,834,950 $273,455,156,951
1986 $2,036,303,358 $301,310,144,928
1985 $1,552,493,196 $310,064,625,850
1984 $1,459,880,132 $260,442,857,143
1983 $1,600,278,605 $231,130,268,199
1982 $1,754,450,096 $205,480,916,031
1981 $1,775,842,334 $196,218,253,968
1980 $1,928,719,888 $191,487,500,000
1979 $1,748,480,621 $178,573,913,043
1978 $1,475,583,645 $149,788,617,886
1977 $1,131,224,878 $175,226,595,860
1976 $976,547,188 $154,196,810,059
1975 $939,972,703 $163,687,619,736
1974 $751,133,430 $144,418,433,058
1973 $674,773,570 $138,764,340,892
1972 $578,595,522 $113,871,930,714
1971 $482,411,179 $99,959,013,880
1970 $458,404,269 $92,752,930,873
1969 $478,298,645 $79,847,786,729
1968 $460,442,689 $70,980,323,819
1967 $450,753,924 $73,011,350,596
1966 $433,889,766 $76,854,053,259
1965 $422,916,790 $70,565,994,356
1964 $410,321,645 $59,821,862,703
1963 $394,040,667 $50,812,227,919
1962 $379,567,099 $47,310,737,754
1961 $350,247,234 $50,162,299,350
1960 $330,442,816 $59,846,235,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs China by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $13,303 $27,105
2023 $873 $2,759 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $827 $2,645 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $896 $2,486 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $825 $2,381 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $765 $2,232 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $777 $2,073 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $709 $2,042 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $664 $1,882 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $630 $1,692 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $765 $1,661 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $760 $1,643 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $731 $1,572 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $725 $1,531 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $625 $1,449 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $602 $1,360 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $619 $1,351 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $515 $1,290 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $456 $1,244 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $441 $1,172 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $404 $1,079 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $362 $1,038 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $285.7 $974 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $259.5 $948 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $248.9 $896 $969 $2,964
1999 $292.8 $886 $881 $2,690
1998 $249.5 $838 $835 $2,483
1997 $223.9 $794 $787 $2,297
1996 $242.7 $753 $713 $2,088
1995 $229.1 $684 $613 $1,884
1994 $187.2 $650 $476 $1,680
1993 $324 $644 $379 $1,471
1992 $349 $623 $368 $1,276
1991 $334 $623 $334 $1,105
1990 $339 $567 $319 $991
1989 $293.2 - $311 -
1988 $301 - $284 -
1987 $280.2 - $252.3 -
1986 $247.5 - $282.4 -
1985 $194.1 - $295 -
1984 $187.8 - $251.2 -
1983 $211.9 - $225.9 -
1982 $239 - $203.7 -
1981 $248.7 - $197.4 -
1980 $277.6 - $195.1 -
1979 $258.5 - $184.3 -
1978 $223.9 - $156.7 -
1977 $176 - $185.7 -
1976 $155.5 - $165.7 -
1975 $152.9 - $178.6 -
1974 $124.7 - $160.4 -
1973 $114.1 - $157.3 -
1972 $99.6 - $132.1 -
1971 $84.5 - $118.8 -
1970 $81.7 - $113.3 -
1969 $86.8 - $100.3 -
1968 $85 - $91.6 -
1967 $84.6 - $96.8 -
1966 $82.8 - $104.5 -
1965 $82.1 - $98.7 -
1964 $80.9 - $85.7 -
1963 $78.9 - $74.5 -
1962 $77.2 - $71.1 -
1961 $72.2 - $76 -
1960 $69.2 - $89.7 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $13,303 in China, ranking 76/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso China
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$18.7T
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
2/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
4.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$13,303
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$16.6T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
88.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$11,749
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
47/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$9,826
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.8T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
6,327,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
450
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
32.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
0.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.1%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
5.11%
2021
Population
24756783
1402578808

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 32.9% 88.3%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 32.7% 82%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 32.6% 75.5%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 31.9% 70.1%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 34.8% 69%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 33.6% 59.4%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 32.6% 55.6%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 32% 53.9%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 31.7% 49.7%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 31% 40.8%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 25.2% 34%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 18% 25.9%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 17.6% 26%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 18% 26.4%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 20% 48.4% 11.5% 20.4%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 11% 21.2%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 11.1% 21.4%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 12.4% -
1993 17.9% 33.6% 13.4% -
1992 16.7% 29.6% 14.6% -
1991 17% 28.7% 16.5% -
1990 18.4% 25.6% 18.2% -
1989 14.2% 25.5% 18.6% -
1988 16.2% 28.8% 20.9% 4.46%
1987 19.2% 30.7% 23.4% 3.6%
1986 16.3% 27.6% 25.6% 3.24%
1985 11.5% 28.5% 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while China spent $6.18T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 88.3% in China, ranking 89/185 and 34/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso China
2024 -5.84% -7.34%
2023 -6.91% -6.71%
2022 -10.9% -7.32%
2021 -7.45% -5.9%
2020 -5.16% -9.56%
2019 -3.39% -6%
2018 -4.43% -4.2%
2017 -6.92% -3.34%
2016 -3.08% -3.33%
2015 -2.09% -2.5%
2014 -1.74% -0.67%
2013 -3.55% -0.82%
2012 -2.76% -0.3%
2011 -2.04% -0.1%
2010 -4.06% -0.36%
2009 -4.16% -1.72%
2008 -3.63% -0.02%
2007 -5.01% 0.06%
2006 14.3% -1.13%
2005 -4.89% -1.38%
2004 -4.19% -1.49%
2003 -1.79% -2.36%
2002 -4.43% -2.84%
2001 -3.56% -2.56%
2000 -3.03% -2.81%
1999 -3.29% -2.3%
1998 -2.6% -1.08%
1997 -2.64% -0.73%
1996 -1.67% -0.73%
1995 -2.65% -0.94%
1994 -1.89% -1.68%
1993 -3.81% -0.89%
1992 -2.51% -1.22%
1991 -2.77% -1.04%
1990 -7.54% -0.72%
1989 1.96% -0.91%
1988 -4.32% -2.22%
1987 -5.27% -2.08%
1986 -5.1% -1.82%
1985 -1.21% -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/china | 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 China's deficit of $1.38T, or 7.34% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 39 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.34% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso China
2024 4.19% 0.2%
2023 0.74% 0.2%
2022 14.3% 2%
2021 3.65% 0.9%
2020 1.88% 2.5%
2019 -3.23% 2.9%
2018 1.96% 2.1%
2017 1.48% 1.6%
2016 0.44% 2%
2015 0.72% 1.5%
2014 -0.26% 2%
2013 0.53% 2.7%
2012 3.82% 2.6%
2011 2.76% 5.4%
2010 -0.76% 3.3%
2009 2.61% -0.7%
2008 10.7% 5.9%
2007 -0.23% 4.7%
2006 2.33% 1.5%
2005 6.42% 1.8%
2004 -0.4% 3.9%
2003 2.03% 1.1%
2002 2.18% -0.8%
2001 5.01% 0.7%
2000 -0.3% 0.4%
1999 -1.07% -1.4%
1998 5.08% -0.8%
1997 2.32% 2.8%

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/china | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 1.82% in China. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 0.2% in China.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $25.4M
Raw materials & minerals $1.98M
Chemicals & pharma $88K
Machinery & equipment $78K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $66K
Wood & paper products $48K
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Miscellaneous $6K
Metals $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $430M
Textiles & consumer goods $61.7M
Metals $46.1M
Raw materials & minerals $45.1M
Chemicals & pharma $42.3M
Animal & marine products $27.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.1M
Miscellaneous $8.32M
Wood & paper products $6.55M
Raw agricultural goods $5.97M

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso China
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$424B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
1/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+2.26%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$2.64T
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$3.41T
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$613B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$384B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
20%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso China
Economic freedom 49.1 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 170/197
Property rights 17.6 40.9
Government integrity 40.2 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 38.6
Tax burden 80.8 69.3
Government spending 72.9 67.8
Fiscal health 13.4 4.4
Business freedom 37.8 68.7
Labor freedom 62.1 57.9
Monetary freedom 71.9 76.1
Trade freedom 61 73.4
Investment freedom 65 20
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso China
2026 49.1 48.3
2025 51 49
2024 51.9 48.5
2023 56.2 48.3
2022 58.3 48
2021 56.5 58.4
2020 56.7 59.5
2019 59.4 58.4
2018 60 57.8
2017 59.6 57.4
2016 59.1 52
2015 58.6 52.7
2014 58.9 52.5
2013 59.9 51.9
2012 60.6 51.2
2011 60.6 52
2010 59.4 51
2009 59.5 53.2
2008 55.7 53.1
2007 55.1 52
2006 55.8 53.6
2005 56.6 53.7
2004 58 52.5
2003 58.9 52.6
2002 58.8 52.8
2001 56.7 52.6
2000 55.7 56.4
1999 55 54.8
1998 54.5 53.1
1997 54 51.7
1996 49.4 51.3
1995 - 52

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso China
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
56.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
36.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
6.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$19.3T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$26,920
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.46T
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
1/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$154B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$18.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$172B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
1.89%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
40.6%
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/china | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.