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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 122/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Burkina Faso vs Kuwait GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Kuwait
2024 $23,124,729,853 $160,227,273,053
2023 $20,112,614,449 $165,384,407,116
2022 $18,622,421,395 $183,502,046,694
2021 $19,697,516,284 $148,350,671,489
2020 $17,725,010,533 $111,045,470,606
2019 $16,032,813,503 $140,856,394,861
2018 $15,890,066,221 $138,646,316,351
2017 $14,106,955,615 $120,687,539,806
2016 $12,833,363,045 $109,406,674,125
2015 $11,832,159,316 $114,585,555,689
2014 $13,943,016,077 $162,650,450,685
2013 $13,444,300,486 $174,168,116,535
2012 $12,561,015,157 $174,047,662,680
2011 $12,080,295,978 $154,039,231,246
2010 $10,109,619,741 $115,416,245,242
2009 $9,450,696,873 $105,968,691,905
2008 $9,451,435,490 $147,379,737,230
2007 $7,625,722,837 $114,634,043,362
2006 $6,547,419,820 $101,557,330,723
2005 $6,146,353,173 $80,798,630,137
2004 $5,451,688,538 $59,439,090,601
2003 $4,740,768,143 $47,874,582,232
2002 $3,622,350,063 $38,135,788,414
2001 $3,190,371,081 $34,889,559,870
2000 $2,968,370,088 $37,718,743,480
1999 $3,389,566,713 $30,122,365,849
1998 $2,804,902,367 $25,943,705,784
1997 $2,447,669,102 $30,350,190,704
1996 $2,586,550,595 $31,492,373,309
1995 $2,379,517,975 $27,186,980,647
1994 $1,895,290,637 $24,848,483,838
1993 $3,199,536,465 $23,941,391,391
1992 $3,356,692,505 $19,858,555,215
1991 $3,135,045,584 $11,009,993,703
1990 $3,101,300,779 $18,427,777,778
1989 $2,615,587,734 $24,313,855,653
1988 $2,616,040,479 $20,690,322,153
1987 $2,369,834,950 $22,368,704,134
1986 $2,036,303,358 $17,903,989,745
1985 $1,552,493,196 $21,445,970,614
1984 $1,459,880,132 $21,700,082,753
1983 $1,600,278,605 $20,871,081,080
1982 $1,754,450,096 $21,577,153,356
1981 $1,775,842,334 $25,058,020,338
1980 $1,928,719,888 $28,638,868,356
1979 $1,748,480,621 $24,749,063,922
1978 $1,475,583,645 $15,503,557,496
1977 $1,131,224,878 $14,137,406,741
1976 $976,547,188 $13,132,252,802
1975 $939,972,703 $12,022,811,621
1974 $751,133,430 $13,006,948,296
1973 $674,773,570 $5,408,804,607
1972 $578,595,522 $4,450,537,925
1971 $482,411,179 $3,880,392,195
1970 $458,404,269 $2,873,638,851
1969 $478,298,645 $2,769,198,892
1968 $460,442,689 $2,662,798,935
1967 $450,753,924 $2,441,599,023
1966 $433,889,766 $2,391,199,044
1965 $422,916,790 $2,097,199,161
1964 $410,321,645 $2,071,668,533
1963 $394,040,667 $1,900,895,857
1962 $379,567,099 $1,828,107,503
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/kuwait | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Kuwait by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $873 $2,759 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $827 $2,645 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $896 $2,486 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $825 $2,381 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $765 $2,232 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $777 $2,073 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $709 $2,042 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $664 $1,882 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $630 $1,692 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $765 $1,661 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $760 $1,643 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $731 $1,572 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $725 $1,531 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $625 $1,449 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $602 $1,360 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $619 $1,351 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $515 $1,290 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $456 $1,244 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $441 $1,172 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $404 $1,079 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $362 $1,038 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $285.7 $974 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $259.5 $948 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $248.9 $896 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $292.8 $886 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $249.5 $838 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $223.9 $794 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $242.7 $753 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $229.1 $684 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $187.2 $650 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $324 $644 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $349 $623 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $334 $623 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $339 $567 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $293.2 - $10,965 -
1988 $301 - $9,692 -
1987 $280.2 - $10,896 -
1986 $247.5 - $9,077 -
1985 $194.1 - $11,322 -
1984 $187.8 - $11,919 -
1983 $211.9 - $11,965 -
1982 $239 - $12,979 -
1981 $248.7 - $15,825 -
1980 $277.6 - $19,032 -
1979 $258.5 - $17,386 -
1978 $223.9 - $11,567 -
1977 $176 - $11,238 -
1976 $155.5 - $11,141 -
1975 $152.9 - $10,882 -
1974 $124.7 - $12,527 -
1973 $114.1 - $5,532 -
1972 $99.6 - $4,836 -
1971 $84.5 - $4,486 -
1970 $81.7 - $3,552 -
1969 $86.8 - $3,695 -
1968 $85 - $3,872 -
1967 $84.6 - $3,887 -
1966 $82.8 - $4,176 -
1965 $82.1 - $4,024 -
1964 $80.9 - $4,379 -
1963 $78.9 - $4,445 -
1962 $77.2 - $4,748 -
1961 $72.2 - - -
1960 $69.2 - - -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$141B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
2.16%
2016
Population
24756783
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 45% 3.43%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 41.4% 23%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 20% 48.4% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 52% 34.9%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 17% 28.7% 208.9% 45.3%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 122.9% -
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/kuwait | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 89/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Kuwait
2024 -5.84% 23.8%
2023 -6.91% 28.2%
2022 -10.9% 30%
2021 -7.45% 9.98%
2020 -5.16% 0.14%
2019 -3.39% 13%
2018 -4.43% 17.5%
2017 -6.92% 15.3%
2016 -3.08% 13.1%
2015 -2.09% 16.6%
2014 -1.74% 30%
2013 -3.55% 40.6%
2012 -2.76% 40.7%
2011 -2.04% 38.8%
2010 -4.06% 31.9%
2009 -4.16% 31.3%
2008 -3.63% 21.3%
2007 -5.01% 37.1%
2006 14.3% 28%
2005 -4.89% 38.9%
2004 -4.19% 32.5%
2003 -1.79% 27.2%
2002 -4.43% 31%
2001 -3.56% 45.2%
2000 -3.03% 52.5%
1999 -3.29% 28.2%
1998 -2.6% 19.5%
1997 -2.64% 29.5%
1996 -1.67% 24.3%
1995 -2.65% 11.7%
1994 -1.89% 1.76%
1993 -3.81% -3.12%
1992 -2.51% -28.1%
1991 -2.77% -145%
1990 -7.54% -50%
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/kuwait | 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 Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.49% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Kuwait
2024 4.19% 2.9%
2023 0.74% 3.64%
2022 14.3% 3.98%
2021 3.65% 3.42%
2020 1.88% 2.1%
2019 -3.23% 1.09%
2018 1.96% 0.54%
2017 1.48% 2.17%
2016 0.44% 3.2%
2015 0.72% 3.27%
2014 -0.26% 2.91%
2013 0.53% 2.68%
2012 3.82% 3.26%
2011 2.76% 4.84%
2010 -0.76% 4.5%
2009 2.61% 4.61%
2008 10.7% 10.6%
2007 -0.23% 5.48%
2006 2.33% 3.06%
2005 6.42% 4.14%
2004 -0.4% 1.25%
2003 2.03% 0.96%
2002 2.18% 0.89%
2001 5.01% 1.3%
2000 -0.3% 1.81%
1999 -1.07% 2.99%
1998 5.08% 0.13%
1997 2.32% 0.68%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $33K
Raw materials & minerals $18K
Precious metals & jewellery $17K
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Kuwait
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Kuwait
Economic freedom 49.1 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 100/197
Property rights 17.6 42
Government integrity 40.2 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 43.4
Tax burden 80.8 97.7
Government spending 72.9 36.2
Fiscal health 13.4 99.9
Business freedom 37.8 57.4
Labor freedom 62.1 49.2
Monetary freedom 71.9 68.7
Trade freedom 61 75.8
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Kuwait
2026 49.1 59.9
2025 51 59.9
2024 51.9 58.5
2023 56.2 56.7
2022 58.3 58.3
2021 56.5 64.1
2020 56.7 63.2
2019 59.4 60.8
2018 60 62.2
2017 59.6 65.1
2016 59.1 62.7
2015 58.6 62.5
2014 58.9 62.3
2013 59.9 63.1
2012 60.6 62.5
2011 60.6 64.9
2010 59.4 67.7
2009 59.5 65.6
2008 55.7 68.1
2007 55.1 66.4
2006 55.8 66.5
2005 56.6 64.6
2004 58 63.6
2003 58.9 66.7
2002 58.8 65.4
2001 56.7 68.2
2000 55.7 69.7
1999 55 69.5
1998 54.5 66.3
1997 54 64.8
1996 49.4 66.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
17.7%
2023

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/kuwait | 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 (1996–2026, 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. 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.