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Economy of Burkina Faso vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 122/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Burkina Faso vs DR Congo GDP by year

Burkina Faso
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2024 $23,124,729,853 $70,962,185,791
2023 $20,112,614,449 $69,843,655,425
2022 $18,622,421,395 $70,422,346,142
2021 $19,697,516,284 $59,067,289,574
2020 $17,725,010,533 $46,691,989,749
2019 $16,032,813,503 $46,845,900,350
2018 $15,890,066,221 $46,659,954,092
2017 $14,106,955,615 $37,537,521,566
2016 $12,833,363,045 $38,600,224,214
2015 $11,832,159,316 $40,179,574,490
2014 $13,943,016,077 $38,352,980,553
2013 $13,444,300,486 $34,891,189,160
2012 $12,561,015,157 $30,029,369,929
2011 $12,080,295,978 $26,392,379,642
2010 $10,109,619,741 $24,161,641,931
2009 $9,450,696,873 $18,607,259,481
2008 $9,451,435,490 $22,723,488,723
2007 $7,625,722,837 $18,374,807,773
2006 $6,547,419,820 $15,484,044,535
2005 $6,146,353,173 $12,609,728,573
2004 $5,451,688,538 $10,297,483,481
2003 $4,740,768,143 $8,937,567,060
2002 $3,622,350,063 $8,728,038,525
2001 $3,190,371,081 $7,438,189,100
2000 $2,968,370,088 $19,088,046,306
1999 $3,389,566,713 $4,711,259,427
1998 $2,804,902,367 $6,217,805,821
1997 $2,447,669,102 $6,090,838,693
1996 $2,586,550,595 $5,771,456,952
1995 $2,379,517,975 $5,643,439,376
1994 $1,895,290,637 $5,820,382,248
1993 $3,199,536,465 $10,706,259,937
1992 $3,356,692,505 $8,227,343,907
1991 $3,135,045,584 $9,625,436,873
1990 $3,101,300,779 $9,349,764,580
1989 $2,615,587,734 $9,021,862,775
1988 $2,616,040,479 $8,861,299,977
1987 $2,369,834,950 $7,661,625,473
1986 $2,036,303,358 $8,095,367,168
1985 $1,552,493,196 $7,195,042,616
1984 $1,459,880,132 $7,857,729,193
1983 $1,600,278,605 $11,006,712,650
1982 $1,754,450,096 $13,651,667,371
1981 $1,775,842,334 $12,537,821,038
1980 $1,928,719,888 $14,394,927,495
1979 $1,748,480,621 $15,068,422,236
1978 $1,475,583,645 $15,372,608,002
1977 $1,131,224,878 $12,344,424,764
1976 $976,547,188 $9,648,583,225
1975 $939,972,703 $10,237,343,174
1974 $751,133,430 $9,596,960,180
1973 $674,773,570 $7,870,239,461
1972 $578,595,522 $6,173,712,814
1971 $482,411,179 $5,594,770,359
1970 $458,404,269 $4,877,684,910
1969 $478,298,645 $5,032,434,970
1968 $460,442,689 $3,909,780,539
1967 $450,753,924 $3,384,063,372
1966 $433,889,766 $4,532,660,182
1965 $422,916,790 $4,043,901,818
1964 $410,321,645 $2,881,545,273
1963 $394,040,667 $6,213,185,743
1962 $379,567,099 $3,779,841,429
1961 $350,247,234 $3,086,746,857
1960 $330,442,816 $3,359,404,118

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs DR Congo by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $649 $1,821
2023 $873 $2,759 $660 $1,731
2022 $827 $2,645 $688 $1,590
2021 $896 $2,486 $596 $1,402
2020 $825 $2,381 $486 $1,089
2019 $765 $2,232 $504 $1,056
2018 $777 $2,073 $518 $1,049
2017 $709 $2,042 $431 $991
2016 $664 $1,882 $460 $950
2015 $630 $1,692 $496 $910
2014 $765 $1,661 $489 $859
2013 $760 $1,643 $460 $761
2012 $731 $1,572 $410 $648
2011 $725 $1,531 $373 $644
2010 $625 $1,449 $352 $606
2009 $602 $1,360 $280.2 $573
2008 $619 $1,351 $353 $584
2007 $515 $1,290 $294.1 $550
2006 $456 $1,244 $255.4 $508
2005 $441 $1,172 $214.5 $484
2004 $404 $1,079 $180.7 $456
2003 $362 $1,038 $161.5 $428
2002 $285.7 $974 $162.4 $410
2001 $259.5 $948 $142.7 $404
2000 $248.9 $896 $378 $417
1999 $292.8 $886 $96.3 $452
1998 $249.5 $838 $131.5 $481
1997 $223.9 $794 $132.3 $497
1996 $242.7 $753 $127.4 $526
1995 $229.1 $684 $127 $532
1994 $187.2 $650 $136.5 $540
1993 $324 $644 $263.3 $576
1992 $349 $623 $209.7 $674
1991 $334 $623 $253.8 $762
1990 $339 $567 $254.9 $832
1989 $293.2 - $254.2 -
1988 $301 - $257.7 -
1987 $280.2 - $230.1 -
1986 $247.5 - $250.9 -
1985 $194.1 - $230.1 -
1984 $187.8 - $259.8 -
1983 $211.9 - $376 -
1982 $239 - $482 -
1981 $248.7 - $456 -
1980 $277.6 - $539 -
1979 $258.5 - $582 -
1978 $223.9 - $615 -
1977 $176 - $509 -
1976 $155.5 - $408 -
1975 $152.9 - $445 -
1974 $124.7 - $428 -
1973 $114.1 - $361 -
1972 $99.6 - $290.5 -
1971 $84.5 - $270.3 -
1970 $81.7 - $242.2 -
1969 $86.8 - $257.1 -
1968 $85 - $205.6 -
1967 $84.6 - $183.3 -
1966 $82.8 - $252.8 -
1965 $82.1 - $232 -
1964 $80.9 - $169.9 -
1963 $78.9 - $376 -
1962 $77.2 - $235.1 -
1961 $72.2 - $197.1 -
1960 $69.2 - $220.1 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$1,693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate n/a
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
1.47%
2020
Population
24756783
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 16.5% 27%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 14% 19.4%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 14.3% 33%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 16% 25.5%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 7.59% 112%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 4.17% 136%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 2.49% 135%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 2.15% -
1998 19.7% 47.7% 2.78% -
1997 20% 48.4% 2.51% -
1996 19.8% 45.8% 2.17% -
1995 19.4% 48.9% - -
1994 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/burkina-faso/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 89/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2024 -5.84% -1.48%
2023 -6.91% -1.65%
2022 -10.9% -1.01%
2021 -7.45% -1.68%
2020 -5.16% -3.17%
2019 -3.39% -3.17%
2018 -4.43% -1.34%
2017 -6.92% -0.05%
2016 -3.08% -0.93%
2015 -2.09% -1.35%
2014 -1.74% 3.73%
2013 -3.55% 3.28%
2012 -2.76% 1.71%
2011 -2.04% -0.94%
2010 -4.06% -0.95%
2009 -4.16% 0.92%
2008 -3.63% -0.41%
2007 -5.01% 1.12%
2006 14.3% 1.97%
2005 -4.89% 1.3%
2004 -4.19% -0.17%
2003 -1.79% -3.92%
2002 -4.43% 0.89%
2001 -3.56% -1.13%
2000 -3.03% -1.85%
1999 -3.29% -1.35%
1998 -2.6% -1.55%
1997 -2.64% -1.06%
1996 -1.67% -0.56%
1995 -2.65% -
1994 -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/burkina-faso/dr-congo | 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 DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso DR Congo
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% 2.89%
2015 0.72% 0.74%
2014 -0.26% 1.24%
2013 0.53% 0.81%
2012 3.82% 9.72%
2011 2.76% 15.3%
2010 -0.76% 7.1%
2009 2.61% 2.8%
2008 10.7% 17.3%
2007 -0.23% 16.9%
2006 2.33% 13.1%
2005 6.42% 21.3%
2004 -0.4% 3.99%
2003 2.03% 12.9%
2002 2.18% 31.5%
2001 5.01% 360%
2000 -0.3% 514%
1999 -1.07% 284.9%
1998 5.08% 29.1%
1997 2.32% 198.5%

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

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

Over the past 20 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.19%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.59M
Textiles & consumer goods $52K
Raw materials & minerals $25K
Metals $3K
Animal & marine products $2K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
DR Congo
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $47K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso DR Congo
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso DR Congo
Economic freedom 49.1 47
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 176/197
Property rights 17.6 15.4
Government integrity 40.2 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 11.7
Tax burden 80.8 73.8
Government spending 72.9 91.2
Fiscal health 13.4 95.9
Business freedom 37.8 32.3
Labor freedom 62.1 54.2
Monetary freedom 71.9 58.6
Trade freedom 61 68.2
Investment freedom 65 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso DR Congo
2026 49.1 47
2025 51 47.3
2024 51.9 47.6
2023 56.2 47.9
2022 58.3 47.6
2021 56.5 49
2020 56.7 49.5
2019 59.4 50.3
2018 60 52.1
2017 59.6 56.4
2016 59.1 46.4
2015 58.6 45
2014 58.9 40.6
2013 59.9 39.6
2012 60.6 41.1
2011 60.6 40.7
2010 59.4 41.4
2009 59.5 42.8
2008 55.7 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 55.8 -
2005 56.6 -
2004 58 -
2003 58.9 -
2002 58.8 -
2001 56.7 -
2000 55.7 34.8
1999 55 34
1998 54.5 40.6
1997 54 39.5
1996 49.4 39.5
1995 - 41.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 47 for the DR Congo, ranking 176/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
32.5%
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/dr-congo | 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. 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 (2020–2024, 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.