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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 122/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Burkina Faso vs Iceland GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Iceland
2024 $23,124,729,853 $33,255,181,469
2023 $20,112,614,449 $31,677,891,897
2022 $18,622,421,395 $29,166,102,877
2021 $19,697,516,284 $26,234,872,402
2020 $17,725,010,533 $22,034,665,041
2019 $16,032,813,503 $24,985,687,022
2018 $15,890,066,221 $26,677,652,544
2017 $14,106,955,615 $25,060,086,488
2016 $12,833,363,045 $21,083,713,310
2015 $11,832,159,316 $17,700,486,957
2014 $13,943,016,077 $18,052,183,515
2013 $13,444,300,486 $16,244,319,959
2012 $12,561,015,157 $14,943,757,823
2011 $12,080,295,978 $15,394,005,872
2010 $10,109,619,741 $13,922,711,577
2009 $9,450,696,873 $13,212,543,838
2008 $9,451,435,490 $18,247,921,360
2007 $7,625,722,837 $21,960,110,030
2006 $6,547,419,820 $17,671,649,843
2005 $6,146,353,173 $17,146,410,561
2004 $5,451,688,538 $13,963,943,244
2003 $4,740,768,143 $11,564,687,742
2002 $3,622,350,063 $9,416,199,700
2001 $3,190,371,081 $8,323,401,820
2000 $2,968,370,088 $9,140,168,922
1999 $3,389,566,713 $9,107,644,691
1998 $2,804,902,367 $8,637,732,542
1997 $2,447,669,102 $7,716,781,803
1996 $2,586,550,595 $7,686,566,105
1995 $2,379,517,975 $7,372,640,169
1994 $1,895,290,637 $6,612,804,056
1993 $3,199,536,465 $6,435,952,174
1992 $3,356,692,505 $7,328,497,599
1991 $3,135,045,584 $7,151,260,062
1990 $3,101,300,779 $6,694,851,159
1989 $2,615,587,734 $5,870,854,233
1988 $2,616,040,479 $6,320,093,411
1987 $2,369,834,950 $5,713,281,235
1986 $2,036,303,358 $4,129,080,094
1985 $1,552,493,196 $3,088,359,967
1984 $1,459,880,132 $2,964,568,006
1983 $1,600,278,605 $2,862,634,164
1982 $1,754,450,096 $3,318,714,326
1981 $1,775,842,334 $3,615,094,820
1980 $1,928,719,888 $3,499,616,683
1979 $1,748,480,621 $2,953,176,971
1978 $1,475,583,645 $2,599,627,089
1977 $1,131,224,878 $2,285,707,749
1976 $976,547,188 $1,727,845,419
1975 $939,972,703 $1,456,052,700
1974 $751,133,430 $1,568,154,077
1973 $674,773,570 $1,194,794,186
1972 $578,595,522 $869,002,946
1971 $482,411,179 $693,679,545
1970 $458,404,269 $545,115,909
1969 $478,298,645 $435,659,610
1968 $460,442,689 $498,365,200
1967 $450,753,924 $652,609,076
1966 $433,889,766 $660,663,763
1965 $422,916,790 $550,150,988
1964 $410,321,645 $456,206,299
1963 $394,040,667 $357,240,896
1962 $379,567,099 $299,309,938
1961 $350,247,234 $266,711,460
1960 $330,442,816 $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Iceland by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $873 $2,759 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $827 $2,645 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $896 $2,486 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $825 $2,381 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $765 $2,232 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $777 $2,073 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $709 $2,042 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $664 $1,882 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $630 $1,692 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $765 $1,661 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $760 $1,643 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $731 $1,572 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $725 $1,531 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $625 $1,449 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $602 $1,360 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $619 $1,351 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $515 $1,290 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $456 $1,244 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $441 $1,172 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $404 $1,079 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $362 $1,038 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $285.7 $974 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $259.5 $948 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $248.9 $896 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $292.8 $886 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $249.5 $838 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $223.9 $794 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $242.7 $753 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $229.1 $684 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $187.2 $650 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $324 $644 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $349 $623 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $334 $623 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $339 $567 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $293.2 - $23,219 -
1988 $301 - $25,307 -
1987 $280.2 - $23,238 -
1986 $247.5 - $16,980 -
1985 $194.1 - $12,793 -
1984 $187.8 - $12,378 -
1983 $211.9 - $12,080 -
1982 $239 - $14,191 -
1981 $248.7 - $15,666 -
1980 $277.6 - $15,340 -
1979 $258.5 - $13,082 -
1978 $223.9 - $11,630 -
1977 $176 - $10,305 -
1976 $155.5 - $7,848 -
1975 $152.9 - $6,680 -
1974 $124.7 - $7,287 -
1973 $114.1 - $5,627 -
1972 $99.6 - $4,155 -
1971 $84.5 - $3,366 -
1970 $81.7 - $2,666 -
1969 $86.8 - $2,142 -
1968 $85 - $2,473 -
1967 $84.6 - $3,284 -
1966 $82.8 - $3,378 -
1965 $82.1 - $2,861 -
1964 $80.9 - $2,414 -
1963 $78.9 - $1,924 -
1962 $77.2 - $1,641 -
1961 $72.2 - $1,490 -
1960 $69.2 - $1,486 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Iceland
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
3.56%
2024
Population
24756783
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 45% 61.5%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 43% 65.7%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 43% 96.3%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 50% 136.6%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 45% 81.3%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 20% 48.4% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 45% 54.8%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 45.1% 52.3%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 44.7% 45.4%
1991 17% 28.7% 42.8% 37.6%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 42.6% 35.5%
1989 14.2% 25.5% 42.9% 35.3%
1988 16.2% 28.8% 41.4% 30.6%
1987 19.2% 30.7% 36.5% 27.3%
1986 16.3% 27.6% 39.5% 29.9%
1985 11.5% 28.5% 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 89/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Iceland
2024 -5.84% -3.51%
2023 -6.91% -2.28%
2022 -10.9% -3.93%
2021 -7.45% -8.33%
2020 -5.16% -8.73%
2019 -3.39% -1.57%
2018 -4.43% 0.94%
2017 -6.92% 0.97%
2016 -3.08% 12.4%
2015 -2.09% -0.39%
2014 -1.74% 0.29%
2013 -3.55% -1.24%
2012 -2.76% -2.59%
2011 -2.04% -6.46%
2010 -4.06% -6.58%
2009 -4.16% -8.54%
2008 -3.63% -12%
2007 -5.01% 5.52%
2006 14.3% 6.37%
2005 -4.89% 4.92%
2004 -4.19% 0.28%
2003 -1.79% -2.3%
2002 -4.43% -2.25%
2001 -3.56% -0.28%
2000 -3.03% 1.43%
1999 -3.29% 1.3%
1998 -2.6% -0.56%
1997 -2.64% 0.04%
1996 -1.67% -1.52%
1995 -2.65% -2.87%
1994 -1.89% -4.59%
1993 -3.81% -4.36%
1992 -2.51% -1.86%
1991 -2.77% -0.66%
1990 -7.54% -3.16%
1989 1.96% -4.29%
1988 -4.32% -1.93%
1987 -5.27% -0.79%
1986 -5.1% -3.93%
1985 -1.21% -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.72% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Iceland
2024 4.19% 5.86%
2023 0.74% 8.74%
2022 14.3% 8.31%
2021 3.65% 4.44%
2020 1.88% 2.85%
2019 -3.23% 3.01%
2018 1.96% 2.68%
2017 1.48% 1.76%
2016 0.44% 1.7%
2015 0.72% 1.63%
2014 -0.26% 2.04%
2013 0.53% 3.87%
2012 3.82% 5.19%
2011 2.76% 4%
2010 -0.76% 5.4%
2009 2.61% 12%
2008 10.7% 12.7%
2007 -0.23% 5.05%
2006 2.33% 6.69%
2005 6.42% 3.99%
2004 -0.4% 3.16%
2003 2.03% 2.06%
2002 2.18% 5.2%
2001 5.01% 6.41%
2000 -0.3% 5.14%
1999 -1.07% 3.23%
1998 5.08% 1.66%
1997 2.32% 1.82%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $131K
Iceland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $22K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Iceland
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Iceland
Economic freedom 49.1 75
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 19/197
Property rights 17.6 94.9
Government integrity 40.2 85
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 95.2
Tax burden 80.8 72.2
Government spending 72.9 37
Fiscal health 13.4 76.2
Business freedom 37.8 86.8
Labor freedom 62.1 59.3
Monetary freedom 71.9 73.5
Trade freedom 61 79.8
Investment freedom 65 70
Financial freedom 40 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Iceland
2026 49.1 75
2025 51 72.8
2024 51.9 70.5
2023 56.2 72.2
2022 58.3 77
2021 56.5 77.4
2020 56.7 77.1
2019 59.4 77.1
2018 60 77
2017 59.6 74.4
2016 59.1 73.3
2015 58.6 72
2014 58.9 72.4
2013 59.9 72.1
2012 60.6 70.9
2011 60.6 68.2
2010 59.4 73.7
2009 59.5 75.9
2008 55.7 75.8
2007 55.1 76
2006 55.8 75.8
2005 56.6 76.6
2004 58 72.1
2003 58.9 73.5
2002 58.8 73.1
2001 56.7 73.4
2000 55.7 74
1999 55 71.4
1998 54.5 71.2
1997 54 70.5
1996 49.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Iceland
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
26.1%
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/iceland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (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.