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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 122/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Burkina Faso vs Ireland GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Ireland
2024 $23,124,729,853 $609,157,459,747
2023 $20,112,614,449 $567,372,737,459
2022 $18,622,421,395 $548,341,794,599
2021 $19,697,516,284 $530,394,123,830
2020 $17,725,010,533 $436,009,027,819
2019 $16,032,813,503 $407,211,793,801
2018 $15,890,066,221 $395,780,319,817
2017 $14,106,955,615 $348,355,212,569
2016 $12,833,363,045 $305,431,252,709
2015 $11,832,159,316 $302,101,388,556
2014 $13,943,016,077 $266,490,442,124
2013 $13,444,300,486 $242,924,245,719
2012 $12,561,015,157 $226,921,827,888
2011 $12,080,295,978 $240,975,871,047
2010 $10,109,619,741 $221,732,824,603
2009 $9,450,696,873 $236,443,115,854
2008 $9,451,435,490 $275,447,471,451
2007 $7,625,722,837 $270,079,279,420
2006 $6,547,419,820 $232,180,617,162
2005 $6,146,353,173 $211,876,989,656
2004 $5,451,688,538 $194,372,115,041
2003 $4,740,768,143 $164,670,771,260
2002 $3,622,350,063 $128,596,035,288
2001 $3,190,371,081 $109,346,669,230
2000 $2,968,370,088 $100,207,610,430
1999 $3,389,566,713 $98,893,958,263
1998 $2,804,902,367 $90,199,410,116
1997 $2,447,669,102 $82,856,648,758
1996 $2,586,550,595 $75,790,786,290
1995 $2,379,517,975 $69,139,823,232
1994 $1,895,290,637 $57,097,656,066
1993 $3,199,536,465 $52,417,477,614
1992 $3,356,692,505 $55,918,538,121
1991 $3,135,045,584 $49,787,501,584
1990 $3,101,300,779 $49,305,632,408
1989 $2,615,587,734 $39,238,392,678
1988 $2,616,040,479 $37,772,896,221
1987 $2,369,834,950 $33,920,518,493
1986 $2,036,303,358 $28,714,571,852
1985 $1,552,493,196 $21,270,013,326
1984 $1,459,880,132 $20,106,648,455
1983 $1,600,278,605 $20,766,047,764
1982 $1,754,450,096 $21,474,752,962
1981 $1,775,842,334 $20,670,190,138
1980 $1,928,719,888 $21,747,855,640
1979 $1,748,480,621 $18,319,334,300
1978 $1,475,583,645 $14,647,996,074
1977 $1,131,224,878 $11,248,340,431
1976 $976,547,188 $9,453,756,015
1975 $939,972,703 $9,483,808,362
1974 $751,133,430 $7,896,860,615
1973 $674,773,570 $7,481,173,066
1972 $578,595,522 $6,318,060,582
1971 $482,411,179 $5,098,250,287
1970 $458,404,269 $4,395,995,086
1969 $478,298,645 $3,902,721,632
1968 $460,442,689 $3,378,701,147
1967 $450,753,924 $3,445,739,915
1966 $433,889,766 $3,198,820,904
1965 $422,916,790 $3,035,655,794
1964 $410,321,645 $2,851,091,646
1963 $394,040,667 $2,505,073,358
1962 $379,567,099 $2,329,372,972
1961 $350,247,234 $2,151,772,980
1960 $330,442,816 $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Ireland by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $873 $2,759 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $827 $2,645 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $896 $2,486 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $825 $2,381 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $765 $2,232 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $777 $2,073 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $709 $2,042 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $664 $1,882 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $630 $1,692 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $765 $1,661 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $760 $1,643 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $731 $1,572 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $725 $1,531 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $625 $1,449 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $602 $1,360 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $619 $1,351 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $515 $1,290 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $456 $1,244 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $441 $1,172 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $404 $1,079 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $362 $1,038 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $285.7 $974 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $259.5 $948 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $248.9 $896 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $292.8 $886 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $249.5 $838 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $223.9 $794 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $242.7 $753 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $229.1 $684 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $187.2 $650 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $324 $644 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $349 $623 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $334 $623 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $339 $567 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $293.2 - $11,176 -
1988 $301 - $10,716 -
1987 $280.2 - $9,582 -
1986 $247.5 - $8,112 -
1985 $194.1 - $6,012 -
1984 $187.8 - $5,692 -
1983 $211.9 - $5,915 -
1982 $239 - $6,161 -
1981 $248.7 - $5,986 -
1980 $277.6 - $6,372 -
1979 $258.5 - $5,430 -
1978 $223.9 - $4,400 -
1977 $176 - $3,427 -
1976 $155.5 - $2,920 -
1975 $152.9 - $2,973 -
1974 $124.7 - $2,517 -
1973 $114.1 - $2,424 -
1972 $99.6 - $2,080 -
1971 $84.5 - $1,704 -
1970 $81.7 - $1,487 -
1969 $86.8 - $1,331 -
1968 $85 - $1,159 -
1967 $84.6 - $1,187 -
1966 $82.8 - $1,107 -
1965 $82.1 - $1,055 -
1964 $80.9 - $995 -
1963 $78.9 - $878 -
1962 $77.2 - $821 -
1961 $72.2 - $762 -
1960 $69.2 - $707 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Ireland
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
4.27%
2024
Population
24756783
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 28.1% 74%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 33% 26.1%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 20% 48.4% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 44.2% 88%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 46.8% 90.6%
1991 17% 28.7% 46.1% 93.8%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 44.6% 92.7%
1989 14.2% 25.5% 42.5% 97.9%
1988 16.2% 28.8% 48.2% 106.5%
1987 19.2% 30.7% 51.4% 108.3%
1986 16.3% 27.6% 52.9% 107.2%
1985 11.5% 28.5% 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

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/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 89/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Ireland
2024 -5.84% 4.09%
2023 -6.91% 1.52%
2022 -10.9% 1.67%
2021 -7.45% -1.37%
2020 -5.16% -4.87%
2019 -3.39% 0.41%
2018 -4.43% 0.09%
2017 -6.92% -0.3%
2016 -3.08% -0.76%
2015 -2.09% -1.97%
2014 -1.74% -3.52%
2013 -3.55% -6.28%
2012 -2.76% -8.42%
2011 -2.04% -13.5%
2010 -4.06% -32.1%
2009 -4.16% -13.9%
2008 -3.63% -7.03%
2007 -5.01% 0.27%
2006 14.3% 2.78%
2005 -4.89% 1.57%
2004 -4.19% 1.3%
2003 -1.79% 0.35%
2002 -4.43% -0.52%
2001 -3.56% 0.96%
2000 -3.03% 4.86%
1999 -3.29% 3.54%
1998 -2.6% 2.07%
1997 -2.64% 1.37%
1996 -1.67% -0.2%
1995 -2.65% -2.07%
1994 -1.89% -1.82%
1993 -3.81% -2.62%
1992 -2.51% -2.84%
1991 -2.77% -2.8%
1990 -7.54% -2.69%
1989 1.96% -2.64%
1988 -4.32% -4.62%
1987 -5.27% -8.47%
1986 -5.1% -10.5%
1985 -1.21% -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/ireland | 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 Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.99% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Ireland
2024 4.19% 2.11%
2023 0.74% 6.3%
2022 14.3% 7.83%
2021 3.65% 2.34%
2020 1.88% -0.33%
2019 -3.23% 0.94%
2018 1.96% 0.47%
2017 1.48% 0.36%
2016 0.44% 0.02%
2015 0.72% -0.33%
2014 -0.26% 0.19%
2013 0.53% 0.52%
2012 3.82% 1.69%
2011 2.76% 2.55%
2010 -0.76% -0.92%
2009 2.61% -4.45%
2008 10.7% 4.04%
2007 -0.23% 4.89%
2006 2.33% 3.94%
2005 6.42% 2.46%
2004 -0.4% 2.18%
2003 2.03% 3.49%
2002 2.18% 4.63%
2001 5.01% 4.85%
2000 -0.3% 5.58%
1999 -1.07% 1.63%
1998 5.08% 2.41%
1997 2.32% 1.54%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Ireland
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.2M
Chemicals & pharma $2.93M
Machinery & equipment $160K
Animal & marine products $97K
Raw agricultural goods $55K
Raw materials & minerals $25K
Textiles & consumer goods $21K
Wood & paper products $14K
Metals $4K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Ireland
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$356B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$467B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Ireland
Economic freedom 49.1 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 3/197
Property rights 17.6 94.4
Government integrity 40.2 84
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 95.4
Tax burden 80.8 77.7
Government spending 72.9 85.9
Fiscal health 13.4 97
Business freedom 37.8 85.5
Labor freedom 62.1 61.3
Monetary freedom 71.9 79.3
Trade freedom 61 79.4
Investment freedom 65 90
Financial freedom 40 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Ireland
2026 49.1 83.3
2025 51 83.1
2024 51.9 82.6
2023 56.2 82
2022 58.3 82
2021 56.5 81.4
2020 56.7 80.9
2019 59.4 80.5
2018 60 80.4
2017 59.6 76.7
2016 59.1 77.3
2015 58.6 76.6
2014 58.9 76.2
2013 59.9 75.7
2012 60.6 76.9
2011 60.6 78.7
2010 59.4 81.3
2009 59.5 82.2
2008 55.7 82.5
2007 55.1 82.6
2006 55.8 82.2
2005 56.6 80.8
2004 58 80.3
2003 58.9 80.9
2002 58.8 80.5
2001 56.7 81.2
2000 55.7 76.1
1999 55 74.6
1998 54.5 73.7
1997 54 72.6
1996 49.4 68.5
1995 - 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Ireland
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
18.2%
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/ireland | 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 (1926–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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.