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Economy of Burkina Faso vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $35.4B for El Salvador, ranking 122/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $30.9B (87.5% of GDP) in El Salvador.

Burkina Faso vs El Salvador GDP by year

Burkina Faso
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso El Salvador
2024 $23,124,729,853 $35,364,960,000
2023 $20,112,614,449 $33,853,940,000
2022 $18,622,421,395 $31,870,120,000
2021 $19,697,516,284 $29,043,140,000
2020 $17,725,010,533 $24,921,190,000
2019 $16,032,813,503 $26,881,140,000
2018 $15,890,066,221 $26,020,850,000
2017 $14,106,955,615 $24,979,190,000
2016 $12,833,363,045 $24,191,430,000
2015 $11,832,159,316 $23,438,240,000
2014 $13,943,016,077 $22,593,470,000
2013 $13,444,300,486 $21,990,960,000
2012 $12,561,015,157 $21,386,150,000
2011 $12,080,295,978 $20,283,780,000
2010 $10,109,619,741 $18,447,920,000
2009 $9,450,696,873 $17,601,620,000
2008 $9,451,435,490 $17,986,890,000
2007 $7,625,722,837 $17,011,750,000
2006 $6,547,419,820 $15,999,890,000
2005 $6,146,353,173 $14,698,000,000
2004 $5,451,688,538 $13,724,810,900
2003 $4,740,768,143 $13,243,892,200
2002 $3,622,350,063 $12,664,190,300
2001 $3,190,371,081 $12,282,533,600
2000 $2,968,370,088 $11,784,927,700
1999 $3,389,566,713 $11,284,197,000
1998 $2,804,902,367 $10,936,669,900
1997 $2,447,669,102 $10,221,705,900
1996 $2,586,550,595 $9,586,327,800
1995 $2,379,517,975 $8,921,947,100
1994 $1,895,290,637 $7,679,384,000
1993 $3,199,536,465 $6,680,269,200
1992 $3,356,692,505 $5,813,399,300
1991 $3,135,045,584 $5,252,342,400
1990 $3,101,300,779 $4,817,542,204
1989 $2,615,587,734 $4,372,215,300
1988 $2,616,040,479 $4,189,880,000
1987 $2,369,834,950 $3,958,045,800
1986 $2,036,303,358 $3,771,663,200
1985 $1,552,493,196 $3,800,368,600
1984 $1,459,880,132 $3,661,683,400
1983 $1,600,278,605 $3,506,347,800
1982 $1,754,450,096 $3,399,189,100
1981 $1,775,842,334 $3,437,200,200
1980 $1,928,719,888 $3,573,959,900
1979 $1,748,480,621 $3,463,639,900
1978 $1,475,583,645 $3,127,960,000
1977 $1,131,224,878 $2,941,640,100
1976 $976,547,188 $2,328,280,100
1975 $939,972,703 $1,884,120,100
1974 $751,133,430 $1,665,880,000
1973 $674,773,570 $1,442,320,000
1972 $578,595,522 $1,263,720,000
1971 $482,411,179 $1,186,120,000
1970 $458,404,269 $1,132,920,000
1969 $478,298,645 $1,049,400,000
1968 $460,442,689 $1,009,760,100
1967 $450,753,924 $976,200,000
1966 $433,889,766 $929,520,000
1965 $422,916,790 $877,720,000
1964 $410,321,645 -
1963 $394,040,667 -
1962 $379,567,099 -
1961 $350,247,234 -
1960 $330,442,816 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs El Salvador by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $5,580 $13,264
2023 $873 $2,759 $5,365 $12,680
2022 $827 $2,645 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $896 $2,486 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $825 $2,381 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $765 $2,232 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $777 $2,073 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $709 $2,042 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $664 $1,882 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $630 $1,692 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $765 $1,661 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $760 $1,643 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $731 $1,572 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $725 $1,531 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $625 $1,449 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $602 $1,360 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $619 $1,351 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $515 $1,290 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $456 $1,244 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $441 $1,172 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $404 $1,079 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $362 $1,038 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $285.7 $974 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $259.5 $948 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $248.9 $896 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $292.8 $886 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $249.5 $838 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $223.9 $794 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $242.7 $753 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $229.1 $684 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $187.2 $650 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $324 $644 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $349 $623 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $334 $623 $956 $2,945
1990 $339 $567 $892 $2,856
1989 $293.2 - $825 -
1988 $301 - $806 -
1987 $280.2 - $777 -
1986 $247.5 - $755 -
1985 $194.1 - $776 -
1984 $187.8 - $763 -
1983 $211.9 - $745 -
1982 $239 - $735 -
1981 $248.7 - $752 -
1980 $277.6 - $787 -
1979 $258.5 - $773 -
1978 $223.9 - $712 -
1977 $176 - $684 -
1976 $155.5 - $553 -
1975 $152.9 - $457 -
1974 $124.7 - $413 -
1973 $114.1 - $366 -
1972 $99.6 - $329 -
1971 $84.5 - $316 -
1970 $81.7 - $309 -
1969 $86.8 - $293.4 -
1968 $85 - $290.1 -
1967 $84.6 - $288.4 -
1966 $82.8 - $282.4 -
1965 $82.1 - $274.3 -
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/el-salvador | CC BY

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $5,580 in El Salvador, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$35.4B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$5,580
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$30.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
87.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$4,883
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
81/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$4,768
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
31.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
0.85%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
2.71%
2024
Population
24756783
6399793

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 31.4% 87.5%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 30.5% 85.1%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 31.1% 88%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 27.6% 77%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 27.4% 70%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 26% 65.8%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 22.6% 46%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 21% 29.6%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 19.7% 28%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 20% 48.4% 18.6% 27.8%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 21% 28.5%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 18.6% 28%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 18.9% 30.5%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 18.5% 31.9%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 20.8% 36.4%
1991 17% 28.7% 18.5% 43.3%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 15.9% -
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/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 87.5% in El Salvador, ranking 89/185 and 36/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso El Salvador
2024 -5.84% -4.55%
2023 -6.91% -4.69%
2022 -10.9% -2.68%
2021 -7.45% -5.53%
2020 -5.16% -8.18%
2019 -3.39% -3.07%
2018 -4.43% -2.71%
2017 -6.92% -2.53%
2016 -3.08% -3.1%
2015 -2.09% -3.63%
2014 -1.74% -4.02%
2013 -3.55% -4.46%
2012 -2.76% -3.81%
2011 -2.04% -4.47%
2010 -4.06% -4.97%
2009 -4.16% -6.65%
2008 -3.63% -3.8%
2007 -5.01% -2.32%
2006 14.3% -3.42%
2005 -4.89% -3.47%
2004 -4.19% -2.76%
2003 -1.79% -4.23%
2002 -4.43% -5.5%
2001 -3.56% -4.95%
2000 -3.03% -3.45%
1999 -3.29% -3.08%
1998 -2.6% -2.94%
1997 -2.64% -1.97%
1996 -1.67% -2.7%
1995 -2.65% -0.18%
1994 -1.89% -0.94%
1993 -3.81% -1.42%
1992 -2.51% -4.29%
1991 -2.77% -2.3%
1990 -7.54% -0.61%
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/el-salvador | 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 El Salvador's deficit of $1.61B, or 4.55% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.52% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso El Salvador
2024 4.19% 0.85%
2023 0.74% 4.05%
2022 14.3% 7.2%
2021 3.65% 3.47%
2020 1.88% -0.37%
2019 -3.23% 0.08%
2018 1.96% 1.09%
2017 1.48% 1.01%
2016 0.44% 0.6%
2015 0.72% -0.73%
2014 -0.26% 1.14%
2013 0.53% 0.76%
2012 3.82% 1.73%
2011 2.76% 5.13%
2010 -0.76% 1.18%
2009 2.61% 1.06%
2008 10.7% 6.71%
2007 -0.23% 4.58%
2006 2.33% 4.04%
2005 6.42% 4.69%
2004 -0.4% 4.45%
2003 2.03% 2.12%
2002 2.18% 1.87%
2001 5.01% 3.75%
2000 -0.3% 2.27%
1999 -1.07% 0.51%
1998 5.08% 2.55%
1997 2.32% 4.49%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.51% in El Salvador. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 0.85% in El Salvador.

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso El Salvador
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$15.1B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$5.59B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$3.26B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
51.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
32.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso El Salvador
Economic freedom 49.1 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 114/197
Property rights 17.6 42.7
Government integrity 40.2 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 15.3
Tax burden 80.8 76.8
Government spending 72.9 72.7
Fiscal health 13.4 59.4
Business freedom 37.8 65.7
Labor freedom 62.1 51.6
Monetary freedom 71.9 70.6
Trade freedom 61 76.4
Investment freedom 65 70
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso El Salvador
2026 49.1 57.7
2025 51 56.6
2024 51.9 54.4
2023 56.2 56
2022 58.3 59.6
2021 56.5 61
2020 56.7 61.6
2019 59.4 61.8
2018 60 63.2
2017 59.6 64.1
2016 59.1 65.1
2015 58.6 65.7
2014 58.9 66.2
2013 59.9 66.7
2012 60.6 68.7
2011 60.6 68.8
2010 59.4 69.9
2009 59.5 69.8
2008 55.7 68.5
2007 55.1 68.9
2006 55.8 69.6
2005 56.6 71.5
2004 58 71.2
2003 58.9 71.5
2002 58.8 73
2001 56.7 73
2000 55.7 76.3
1999 55 75.1
1998 54.5 70.2
1997 54 70.5
1996 49.4 70.1
1995 - 69.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 57.7 for El Salvador, ranking 114/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
61%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
22.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
4.38%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$32.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$12,420
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
110/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$636M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$924M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$288M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
20.3%
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/el-salvador | 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. 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.