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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Eswatini compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $4.86B for Eswatini, ranking 122/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $1.93B (39.8% of GDP) in Eswatini.

Burkina Faso vs Eswatini GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Eswatini
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Eswatini
2024 $23,124,729,853 $4,858,885,841
2023 $20,112,614,449 $4,621,191,262
2022 $18,622,421,395 $4,746,660,274
2021 $19,697,516,284 $4,807,069,277
2020 $17,725,010,533 $4,134,677,810
2019 $16,032,813,503 $4,617,018,959
2018 $15,890,066,221 $4,643,751,059
2017 $14,106,955,615 $4,462,640,651
2016 $12,833,363,045 $3,722,306,117
2015 $11,832,159,316 $3,908,217,914
2014 $13,943,016,077 $4,285,065,665
2013 $13,444,300,486 $4,463,396,204
2012 $12,561,015,157 $4,747,813,067
2011 $12,080,295,978 $4,722,912,047
2010 $10,109,619,741 $4,360,714,359
2009 $9,450,696,873 $3,525,213,502
2008 $9,451,435,490 $3,235,921,171
2007 $7,625,722,837 $3,391,122,887
2006 $6,547,419,820 $3,215,307,901
2005 $6,146,353,173 $3,097,946,371
2004 $5,451,688,538 $2,710,331,785
2003 $4,740,768,143 $2,149,632,433
2002 $3,622,350,063 $1,393,945,031
2001 $3,190,371,081 $1,502,870,486
2000 $2,968,370,088 $1,697,161,558
1999 $3,389,566,713 $1,547,888,496
1998 $2,804,902,367 $1,576,908,856
1997 $2,447,669,102 $1,716,714,070
1996 $2,586,550,595 $1,602,741,834
1995 $2,379,517,975 $1,698,989,464
1994 $1,895,290,637 $1,419,294,254
1993 $3,199,536,465 $1,357,189,552
1992 $3,356,692,505 $1,284,759,928
1991 $3,135,045,584 $1,156,135,718
1990 $3,101,300,779 $1,114,694,041
1989 $2,615,587,734 $696,921,542
1988 $2,616,040,479 $692,026,455
1987 $2,369,834,950 $584,126,092
1986 $2,036,303,358 $449,140,318
1985 $1,552,493,196 $360,079,419
1984 $1,459,880,132 $494,483,409
1983 $1,600,278,605 $555,336,146
1982 $1,754,450,096 $537,568,059
1981 $1,775,842,334 $570,774,825
1980 $1,928,719,888 $541,976,853
1979 $1,748,480,621 $412,093,134
1978 $1,475,583,645 $340,630,085
1977 $1,131,224,878 $304,060,076
1976 $976,547,188 $272,550,068
1975 $939,972,703 $288,299,789
1974 $751,133,430 $264,320,941
1973 $674,773,570 $221,915,128
1972 $578,595,522 $146,736,479
1971 $482,411,179 $136,462,081
1970 $458,404,269 $112,139,955
1969 $478,298,645 $105,419,958
1968 $460,442,689 $79,799,968
1967 $450,753,924 $74,759,970
1966 $433,889,766 $76,859,969
1965 $422,916,790 $70,279,972
1964 $410,321,645 $64,980,554
1963 $394,040,667 $54,129,438
1962 $379,567,099 $45,927,962
1961 $350,247,234 $43,026,043
1960 $330,442,816 $35,076,846

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Eswatini by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Eswatini
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $3,910 $11,799
2023 $873 $2,759 $3,756 $11,300
2022 $827 $2,645 $3,894 $10,635
2021 $896 $2,486 $3,984 $9,990
2020 $825 $2,381 $3,467 $9,329
2019 $765 $2,232 $3,913 $9,248
2018 $777 $2,073 $3,973 $8,535
2017 $709 $2,042 $3,853 $8,584
2016 $664 $1,882 $3,238 $8,484
2015 $630 $1,692 $3,420 $8,391
2014 $765 $1,661 $3,771 $8,366
2013 $760 $1,643 $3,950 $8,231
2012 $731 $1,572 $4,225 $7,760
2011 $725 $1,531 $4,225 $7,571
2010 $625 $1,449 $3,923 $7,324
2009 $602 $1,360 $3,190 $7,011
2008 $619 $1,351 $2,947 $6,914
2007 $515 $1,290 $3,109 $6,732
2006 $456 $1,244 $2,965 $6,319
2005 $441 $1,172 $2,871 $5,773
2004 $404 $1,079 $2,526 $5,310
2003 $362 $1,038 $2,015 $5,020
2002 $285.7 $974 $1,316 $4,742
2001 $259.5 $948 $1,430 $4,521
2000 $248.9 $896 $1,630 $4,401
1999 $292.8 $886 $1,502 $4,272
1998 $249.5 $838 $1,547 $4,137
1997 $223.9 $794 $1,705 $4,038
1996 $242.7 $753 $1,619 $3,916
1995 $229.1 $684 $1,751 $3,777
1994 $187.2 $650 $1,461 $3,526
1993 $324 $644 $1,397 $3,371
1992 $349 $623 $1,362 $3,289
1991 $334 $623 $1,273 $3,236
1990 $339 $567 $1,278 $3,202
1989 $293.2 - $832 -
1988 $301 - $865 -
1987 $280.2 - $765 -
1986 $247.5 - $611 -
1985 $194.1 - $510 -
1984 $187.8 - $726 -
1983 $211.9 - $843 -
1982 $239 - $843 -
1981 $248.7 - $925 -
1980 $277.6 - $908 -
1979 $258.5 - $714 -
1978 $223.9 - $610 -
1977 $176 - $563 -
1976 $155.5 - $521 -
1975 $152.9 - $568 -
1974 $124.7 - $536 -
1973 $114.1 - $463 -
1972 $99.6 - $315 -
1971 $84.5 - $301 -
1970 $81.7 - $254.2 -
1969 $86.8 - $245.2 -
1968 $85 - $190.4 -
1967 $84.6 - $182.8 -
1966 $82.8 - $192.7 -
1965 $82.1 - $181 -
1964 $80.9 - $171.6 -
1963 $78.9 - $146.4 -
1962 $77.2 - $127.1 -
1961 $72.2 - $121.8 -
1960 $69.2 - $101.6 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $3,910 in Eswatini, ranking 131/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Eswatini
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$4.86B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
162/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
2.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$3,910
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$11,799
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
126/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$1.93B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
39.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$1,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
130/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$3,913
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$234M
2007
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
42.7%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
1.4%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
33.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
2.6%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
34.6%
2023
Population
24756783
1273390

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Eswatini
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Eswatini
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 33.3% 39.8%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 32% 40%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 29.6% 40.5%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 30.1% 38.4%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 32.7% 38.2%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 32.9% 30.7%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 32.2% 27%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 33.9% 21.9%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 34.7% 20.5%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 35.3% 16.4%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 33.3% 14.3%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 29.4% 15.5%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 27.8% 15.2%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 26% 15.1%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 31.6% 14.5%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 34.5% 10.8%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 34.4% 15%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 31.2% 16.6%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 28.2% 15%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 29.7% 13.9%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 32% 15.5%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 26.4% 18%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 27.2% 17.6%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 26.4% 22.4%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 25.3% 18.7%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 26.5% 17.2%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 22.5% 15.9%
1997 20% 48.4% 21.2% 13%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 23.3% 12%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 20.5% 12.9%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 24.7% 13.8%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 24% 15.6%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 26% 16.6%
1991 17% 28.7% 20.3% 20.1%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 18.7% 20.4%
1989 14.2% 25.5% 15.8% 26.8%
1988 16.2% 28.8% 15.6% 27.5%
1987 19.2% 30.7% 17% 36.1%
1986 16.3% 27.6% 19.8% 44%
1985 11.5% 28.5% 22.3% 45.5%
1984 - - 22.2% 29.7%
1983 - - 23.2% 28.7%
1982 - - 24% 29.2%
1981 - - 23.8% 24.3%
1980 - - 19.6% 27.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Eswatini spent $1.62B, or 33.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 39.8% in Eswatini, ranking 89/185 and 134/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Eswatini
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Eswatini
2024 -5.84% -1.36%
2023 -6.91% -0.67%
2022 -10.9% -5.4%
2021 -7.45% -4.68%
2020 -5.16% -4.27%
2019 -3.39% -6.26%
2018 -4.43% -6.72%
2017 -6.92% -5.68%
2016 -3.08% -8.54%
2015 -2.09% -6.03%
2014 -1.74% -1.18%
2013 -3.55% 0.59%
2012 -2.76% 3.48%
2011 -2.04% -4.02%
2010 -4.06% -9.52%
2009 -4.16% -3.06%
2008 -3.63% 1.63%
2007 -5.01% 2.44%
2006 14.3% 8.88%
2005 -4.89% -1.7%
2004 -4.19% -4.1%
2003 -1.79% -2.15%
2002 -4.43% -3.78%
2001 -3.56% -2.31%
2000 -3.03% -1.22%
1999 -3.29% -1.27%
1998 -2.6% 1.07%
1997 -2.64% 2.11%
1996 -1.67% -1%
1995 -2.65% 0.9%
1994 -1.89% -3.61%
1993 -3.81% -3.29%
1992 -2.51% -2.9%
1991 -2.77% 3.4%
1990 -7.54% 5.61%
1989 1.96% 5.82%
1988 -4.32% 3.23%
1987 -5.27% 2.03%
1986 -5.1% -2.41%
1985 -1.21% -1.33%
1984 - 1.25%
1983 - -0.6%
1982 - 0.11%
1981 - -4.29%
1980 - 6.55%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/eswatini | 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 Eswatini's deficit of $66.2M, or 1.36% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Eswatini ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.43% of GDP for Eswatini.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Eswatini
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Eswatini
2024 4.19% -
2023 0.74% -
2022 14.3% -
2021 3.65% -
2020 1.88% -
2019 -3.23% 2.6%
2018 1.96% 4.82%
2017 1.48% 6.22%
2016 0.44% 7.85%
2015 0.72% 4.95%
2014 -0.26% 5.68%
2013 0.53% 5.62%
2012 3.82% 8.94%
2011 2.76% 6.11%
2010 -0.76% 4.51%
2009 2.61% 7.45%
2008 10.7% 12.7%
2007 -0.23% 8.08%
2006 2.33% 5.3%
2005 6.42% 4.77%
2004 -0.4% 3.45%
2003 2.03% 7.29%
2002 2.18% 12%
2001 5.01% 5.94%
2000 -0.3% 12.2%
1999 -1.07% 6.09%
1998 5.08% 8.11%
1997 2.32% 7.13%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.92%, compared with 6.86% in Eswatini. In 2019, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 2.6% in Eswatini.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $4.04M
Machinery & equipment $26K
Eswatini
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Eswatini
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$78.3M
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+1.61%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$2.07B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$2.33B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$542M
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$234M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
53.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
53.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Eswatini
Economic freedom 49.1 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 116/197
Property rights 17.6 42.5
Government integrity 40.2 29.7
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 35.5
Tax burden 80.8 78.6
Government spending 72.9 71
Fiscal health 13.4 87.5
Business freedom 37.8 49.9
Labor freedom 62.1 55.2
Monetary freedom 71.9 76.8
Trade freedom 61 73.6
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Eswatini
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Eswatini
2026 49.1 57.5
2025 51 56.4
2024 51.9 55.6
2023 56.2 54.9
2022 58.3 51.4
2021 56.5 55.1
2020 56.7 55.3
2019 59.4 54.7
2018 60 55.9
2017 59.6 61.1
2016 59.1 59.7
2015 58.6 59.9
2014 58.9 61.2
2013 59.9 57.2
2012 60.6 57.2
2011 60.6 59.1
2010 59.4 57.4
2009 59.5 59.1
2008 55.7 58.4
2007 55.1 60.1
2006 55.8 61.4
2005 56.6 59.4
2004 58 58.6
2003 58.9 59.6
2002 58.8 60.9
2001 56.7 63.6
2000 55.7 62.6
1999 55 62.1
1998 54.5 62
1997 54 59.4
1996 49.4 58.6
1995 - 63.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 57.5 for Eswatini, ranking 116/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Eswatini
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
51.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
34.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
6.48%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$4.46B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$10,760
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$479M
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
159/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$11.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$75.5M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$63.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
4.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
58.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
15%
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/eswatini | 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 (1980–2001, 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.