Skip to content

Economy of Burkina Faso vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $150B for Ethiopia, ranking 122/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $48.9B (32.7% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Burkina Faso vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Ethiopia
2024 $23,124,729,853 $149,740,297,953
2023 $20,112,614,449 $135,874,093,202
2022 $18,622,421,395 $123,140,304,666
2021 $19,697,516,284 $109,070,960,372
2020 $17,725,010,533 $98,676,811,061
2019 $16,032,813,503 $91,834,517,113
2018 $15,890,066,221 $83,337,901,072
2017 $14,106,955,615 $76,366,081,767
2016 $12,833,363,045 $68,475,871,210
2015 $11,832,159,316 $62,103,418,182
2014 $13,943,016,077 $55,612,228,234
2013 $13,444,300,486 $47,648,276,605
2012 $12,561,015,157 $43,310,721,414
2011 $12,080,295,978 $31,952,763,089
2010 $10,109,619,741 $29,933,790,334
2009 $9,450,696,873 $32,437,389,116
2008 $9,451,435,490 $27,066,912,635
2007 $7,625,722,837 $19,707,616,773
2006 $6,547,419,820 $15,280,861,835
2005 $6,146,353,173 $12,401,139,454
2004 $5,451,688,538 $10,131,187,261
2003 $4,740,768,143 $8,623,691,300
2002 $3,622,350,063 $7,850,809,498
2001 $3,190,371,081 $8,231,326,016
2000 $2,968,370,088 $8,242,349,618
1999 $3,389,566,713 $7,892,973,532
1998 $2,804,902,367 $8,013,274,132
1997 $2,447,669,102 $8,803,539,988
1996 $2,586,550,595 $8,761,215,548
1995 $2,379,517,975 $7,855,205,207
1994 $1,895,290,637 $7,100,806,754
1993 $3,199,536,465 $9,051,043,870
1992 $3,356,692,505 $10,754,799,037
1991 $3,135,045,584 $13,799,799,324
1990 $3,101,300,779 $12,478,943,895
1989 $2,615,587,734 $11,762,932,007
1988 $2,616,040,479 $11,181,119,718
1987 $2,369,834,950 $10,790,001,558
1986 $2,036,303,358 $10,094,328,898
1985 $1,552,493,196 $9,717,392,687
1984 $1,459,880,132 $8,298,309,581
1983 $1,600,278,605 $8,781,664,427
1982 $1,754,450,096 $7,899,988,841
1981 $1,775,842,334 $7,507,663,567
1980 $1,928,719,888 $7,012,585,454
1979 $1,748,480,621 $6,586,048,398
1978 $1,475,583,645 $6,014,961,435
1977 $1,131,224,878 $5,651,840,585
1976 $976,547,188 $4,943,806,093
1975 $939,972,703 $4,577,047,854
1974 $751,133,430 $4,577,209,966
1973 $674,773,570 $4,070,570,550
1972 $578,595,522 $3,520,252,938
1971 $482,411,179 $3,224,280,835
1970 $458,404,269 $3,045,354,455
1969 $478,298,645 $2,768,987,372
1968 $460,442,689 $2,619,948,865
1967 $450,753,924 $2,461,762,003
1966 $433,889,766 $2,324,466,416
1965 $422,916,790 $2,159,998,591
1964 $410,321,645 $1,984,129,186
1963 $394,040,667 $1,825,058,828
1962 $379,567,099 $1,747,566,307
1961 $350,247,234 $1,680,859,514
1960 $330,442,816 $1,610,511,694

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Ethiopia by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $873 $2,759 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $827 $2,645 $982 $2,845
2021 $896 $2,486 $893 $2,588
2020 $825 $2,381 $830 $2,407
2019 $765 $2,232 $793 $2,242
2018 $777 $2,073 $740 $2,095
2017 $709 $2,042 $696 $2,005
2016 $664 $1,882 $642 $1,858
2015 $630 $1,692 $598 $1,633
2014 $765 $1,661 $550 $1,485
2013 $760 $1,643 $484 $1,253
2012 $731 $1,572 $452 $1,179
2011 $725 $1,531 $343 $1,098
2010 $625 $1,449 $331 $996
2009 $602 $1,360 $369 $899
2008 $619 $1,351 $316 $845
2007 $515 $1,290 $237.1 $770
2006 $456 $1,244 $189.3 $693
2005 $441 $1,172 $158.2 $625
2004 $404 $1,079 $133.2 $558
2003 $362 $1,038 $116.8 $493
2002 $285.7 $974 $109.6 $509
2001 $259.5 $948 $118.5 $509
2000 $248.9 $896 $122.3 $474
1999 $292.8 $886 $120.7 $450
1998 $249.5 $838 $126.5 $436
1997 $223.9 $794 $143.4 $461
1996 $242.7 $753 $147.3 $453
1995 $229.1 $684 $136.5 $409
1994 $187.2 $650 $127.7 $391
1993 $324 $644 $168.5 $384
1992 $349 $623 $207.4 $343
1991 $334 $623 $277.6 $383
1990 $339 $567 $262.1 $417
1989 $293.2 - $256.4 -
1988 $301 - $253.2 -
1987 $280.2 - $254.1 -
1986 $247.5 - $246 -
1985 $194.1 - $243.9 -
1984 $187.8 - $214.2 -
1983 $211.9 - $232.7 -
1982 $239 - $215.3 -
1981 $248.7 - $212.7 -
1980 $277.6 - $203.7 -
1979 $258.5 - $192.4 -
1978 $223.9 - $178.3 -
1977 $176 - $170.4 -
1976 $155.5 - $152 -
1975 $152.9 - $144.3 -
1974 $124.7 - $147.9 -
1973 $114.1 - $134.9 -
1972 $99.6 - $119.8 -
1971 $84.5 - $112.7 -
1970 $81.7 - $109.4 -
1969 $86.8 - $102.3 -
1968 $85 - $99.5 -
1967 $84.6 - $96.1 -
1966 $82.8 - $93.2 -
1965 $82.1 - $88.9 -
1964 $80.9 - $83.8 -
1963 $78.9 - $79.2 -
1962 $77.2 - $77.8 -
1961 $72.2 - $76.7 -
1960 $69.2 - $75.3 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $1,134 in Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$150B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
7.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$1,134
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$48.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$370
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
172/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$1,946
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
9.54%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
21%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
3.94%
2021
Population
24756783
139917664

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 9.54% 32.7%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 14.5% 53.7%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 18% 55.3%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 17.1% 30%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 27% 103.7%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 25.8% 94.3%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 20.4% 86%
1997 20% 48.4% 17.3% 77.4%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 18.2% 129%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 16.9% 142.3%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 17.1% 150.7%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 13.4% 136.9%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 13.8% 85.4%
1991 17% 28.7% 16.8% 89.3%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 20.3% 91.6%
1989 14.2% 25.5% 24% 84.7%
1988 16.2% 28.8% 21.6% 84.3%
1987 19.2% 30.7% 18.4% 82.3%
1986 16.3% 27.6% 19.8% 75.7%
1985 11.5% 28.5% 19.7% 67.7%
1984 - - 18.8% 65.4%
1983 - - 21.3% 55.2%
1982 - - 16.4% 48.8%
1981 - - 14.2% 30.6%
1980 - - 13.5% 18.5%

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/ethiopia | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $14.3B, or 9.54% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 32.7% in Ethiopia, ranking 89/185 and 150/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Ethiopia
2024 -5.84% -1.99%
2023 -6.91% -2.6%
2022 -10.9% -4.16%
2021 -7.45% -2.77%
2020 -5.16% -2.76%
2019 -3.39% -2.53%
2018 -4.43% -3.03%
2017 -6.92% -3.24%
2016 -3.08% -2.3%
2015 -2.09% -1.95%
2014 -1.74% -2.58%
2013 -3.55% -1.93%
2012 -2.76% -1.17%
2011 -2.04% -1.61%
2010 -4.06% -1.32%
2009 -4.16% -0.93%
2008 -3.63% -2.88%
2007 -5.01% -3.57%
2006 14.3% -3.79%
2005 -4.89% -4.12%
2004 -4.19% -2.65%
2003 -1.79% -5.59%
2002 -4.43% -5.76%
2001 -3.56% -3.76%
2000 -3.03% -8.88%
1999 -3.29% -8.23%
1998 -2.6% -3.51%
1997 -2.64% -1.7%
1996 -1.67% -3.81%
1995 -2.65% -2.68%
1994 -1.89% -5.23%
1993 -3.81% -4%
1992 -2.51% -4.78%
1991 -2.77% -5.83%
1990 -7.54% -6.66%
1989 1.96% -4.33%
1988 -4.32% -3.48%
1987 -5.27% -3.54%
1986 -5.1% -3.98%
1985 -1.21% -4.71%
1984 - -3.69%
1983 - -7.59%
1982 - -3.6%
1981 - -2.19%
1980 - -2.56%

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/ethiopia | 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 Ethiopia's deficit of $2.98B, or 1.99% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.61% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Ethiopia
2024 4.19% 21%
2023 0.74% 30.2%
2022 14.3% 33.9%
2021 3.65% 26.8%
2020 1.88% 20.4%
2019 -3.23% 15.8%
2018 1.96% 13.8%
2017 1.48% 10.7%
2016 0.44% 6.63%
2015 0.72% 9.57%
2014 -0.26% 6.89%
2013 0.53% 7.46%
2012 3.82% 23.6%
2011 2.76% 33.2%
2010 -0.76% 8.15%
2009 2.61% 8.48%
2008 10.7% 44.4%
2007 -0.23% 17.2%
2006 2.33% 12.3%
2005 6.42% 9.97%
2004 -0.4% 3.33%
2003 2.03% 13.7%
2002 2.18% 0.68%
2001 5.01% -8.24%
2000 -0.3% 0.66%
1999 -1.07% 7.94%
1998 5.08% 0.89%
1997 2.32% 2.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 21% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $20.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $30K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17K
Metals $16K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $255K
Chemicals & pharma $181K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Wood & paper products $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Ethiopia
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
160/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
11.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
5.54%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Ethiopia
Economic freedom 49.1 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 171/197
Property rights 17.6 22.1
Government integrity 40.2 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 19.1
Tax burden 80.8 78.6
Government spending 72.9 96.4
Fiscal health 13.4 84.3
Business freedom 37.8 44.5
Labor freedom 62.1 37.8
Monetary freedom 71.9 53.7
Trade freedom 61 57.4
Investment freedom 65 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Ethiopia
2026 49.1 48.1
2025 51 48.1
2024 51.9 47.9
2023 56.2 48.3
2022 58.3 49.6
2021 56.5 51.7
2020 56.7 53.6
2019 59.4 53.6
2018 60 52.8
2017 59.6 52.7
2016 59.1 51.5
2015 58.6 51.5
2014 58.9 50
2013 59.9 49.4
2012 60.6 52
2011 60.6 50.5
2010 59.4 51.2
2009 59.5 53
2008 55.7 52.5
2007 55.1 53.6
2006 55.8 50.9
2005 56.6 51.1
2004 58 54.5
2003 58.9 48.8
2002 58.8 49.8
2001 56.7 48.9
2000 55.7 50.2
1999 55 46.7
1998 54.5 49.2
1997 54 48.1
1996 49.4 45.9
1995 - 42.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 48.1 for Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
37.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
25.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
34.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$146B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$3,280
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
109/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
20.6%
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/ethiopia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (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.