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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 122/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Burkina Faso vs Mauritania GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Mauritania
2024 $23,124,729,853 $10,908,045,687
2023 $20,112,614,449 $10,726,838,461
2022 $18,622,421,395 $9,557,966,698
2021 $19,697,516,284 $9,222,536,364
2020 $17,725,010,533 $8,260,752,385
2019 $16,032,813,503 $7,894,764,886
2018 $15,890,066,221 $7,473,550,557
2017 $14,106,955,615 $6,800,135,898
2016 $12,833,363,045 $6,398,747,592
2015 $11,832,159,316 $6,166,863,897
2014 $13,943,016,077 $6,592,537,782
2013 $13,444,300,486 $7,223,071,097
2012 $12,561,015,157 $6,728,208,836
2011 $12,080,295,978 $6,764,627,746
2010 $10,109,619,741 $5,628,878,798
2009 $9,450,696,873 $4,714,595,548
2008 $9,451,435,490 $5,206,437,194
2007 $7,625,722,837 $4,346,212,355
2006 $6,547,419,820 $3,919,577,286
2005 $6,146,353,173 $2,936,019,526
2004 $5,451,688,538 $2,362,501,023
2003 $4,740,768,143 $2,051,147,607
2002 $3,622,350,063 $1,777,057,481
2001 $3,190,371,081 $1,746,063,558
2000 $2,968,370,088 $1,779,520,886
1999 $3,389,566,713 $1,985,922,776
1998 $2,804,902,367 $2,032,347,665
1997 $2,447,669,102 $2,071,996,564
1996 $2,586,550,595 $2,132,087,009
1995 $2,379,517,975 $2,091,726,101
1994 $1,895,290,637 $1,944,876,755
1993 $3,199,536,465 $1,847,353,211
1992 $3,356,692,505 $2,164,298,425
1991 $3,135,045,584 $2,133,692,697
1990 $3,101,300,779 $1,506,914,408
1989 $2,615,587,734 $1,450,647,019
1988 $2,616,040,479 $1,414,951,290
1987 $2,369,834,950 $1,344,664,725
1986 $2,036,303,358 $1,186,628,778
1985 $1,552,493,196 $1,009,723,326
1984 $1,459,880,132 $1,074,373,230
1983 $1,600,278,605 $1,165,171,263
1982 $1,754,450,096 $1,108,776,653
1981 $1,775,842,334 $1,105,494,682
1980 $1,928,719,888 $1,047,925,106
1979 $1,748,480,621 $951,900,945
1978 $1,475,583,645 $804,629,877
1977 $1,131,224,878 $799,030,017
1976 $976,547,188 $775,045,517
1975 $939,972,703 $703,377,837
1974 $751,133,430 $613,010,553
1973 $674,773,570 $493,237,876
1972 $578,595,522 $391,669,449
1971 $482,411,179 $335,568,907
1970 $458,404,269 $309,405,316
1969 $478,298,645 $295,062,308
1968 $460,442,689 $311,395,937
1967 $450,753,924 $282,615,310
1966 $433,889,766 $266,533,605
1965 $422,916,790 $255,340,475
1964 $410,321,645 $224,495,744
1963 $394,040,667 $168,186,297
1962 $379,567,099 $164,271,558
1961 $350,247,234 $159,213,430
1960 $330,442,816 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Mauritania by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $873 $2,759 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $827 $2,645 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $896 $2,486 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $825 $2,381 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $765 $2,232 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $777 $2,073 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $709 $2,042 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $664 $1,882 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $630 $1,692 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $765 $1,661 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $760 $1,643 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $731 $1,572 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $725 $1,531 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $625 $1,449 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $602 $1,360 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $619 $1,351 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $515 $1,290 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $456 $1,244 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $441 $1,172 $999 $2,809
2004 $404 $1,079 $824 $2,570
2003 $362 $1,038 $732 $2,447
2002 $285.7 $974 $649 $2,296
2001 $259.5 $948 $652 $2,280
2000 $248.9 $896 $681 $2,304
1999 $292.8 $886 $781 $2,411
1998 $249.5 $838 $821 $2,355
1997 $223.9 $794 $859 $2,325
1996 $242.7 $753 $904 $2,436
1995 $229.1 $684 $905 $2,306
1994 $187.2 $650 $865 $2,114
1993 $324 $644 $850 $2,209
1992 $349 $623 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $334 $623 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $339 $567 $772 $2,070
1989 $293.2 - $762 -
1988 $301 - $762 -
1987 $280.2 - $746 -
1986 $247.5 - $677 -
1985 $194.1 - $593 -
1984 $187.8 - $650 -
1983 $211.9 - $725 -
1982 $239 - $710 -
1981 $248.7 - $729 -
1980 $277.6 - $711 -
1979 $258.5 - $664 -
1978 $223.9 - $578 -
1977 $176 - $590 -
1976 $155.5 - $589 -
1975 $152.9 - $551 -
1974 $124.7 - $494 -
1973 $114.1 - $410 -
1972 $99.6 - $335 -
1971 $84.5 - $296 -
1970 $81.7 - $281.3 -
1969 $86.8 - $276.6 -
1968 $85 - $301 -
1967 $84.6 - $281.5 -
1966 $82.8 - $273.6 -
1965 $82.1 - $270 -
1964 $80.9 - $244.3 -
1963 $78.9 - $188.2 -
1962 $77.2 - $189 -
1961 $72.2 - $188.2 -
1960 $69.2 - - -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$2,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
10.4%
2019
Population
24756783
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 19% 59.2%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 17% 38.8%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 19% 38%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 23.9% 22%
2003 17.6% 39.7% - 22.9%
2002 19.5% 43.3% - 59.5%
2001 19.7% 46.6% - 63.5%
2000 19.8% 47.5% - 55.5%
1999 21.4% 46.4% - -
1998 19.7% 47.7% - -
1997 20% 48.4% - -
1996 19.8% 45.8% - -
1995 19.4% 48.9% - -
1994 17.8% 55.1% - -
1993 17.9% 33.6% - -
1992 16.7% 29.6% - -
1991 17% 28.7% - -
1990 18.4% 25.6% - -
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/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 89/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Mauritania
2024 -5.84% -1.35%
2023 -6.91% -2.45%
2022 -10.9% -3.09%
2021 -7.45% 2.6%
2020 -5.16% 2.78%
2019 -3.39% 2.65%
2018 -4.43% 3.23%
2017 -6.92% 0.53%
2016 -3.08% 0.13%
2015 -2.09% -2.44%
2014 -1.74% -2.64%
2013 -3.55% -0.66%
2012 -2.76% 1.67%
2011 -2.04% 0.07%
2010 -4.06% -0.45%
2009 -4.16% -3.59%
2008 -3.63% -3.32%
2007 -5.01% -1.38%
2006 14.3% 2.05%
2005 -4.89% -3.16%
2004 -4.19% -3.06%
2003 -1.79% -
2002 -4.43% -
2001 -3.56% -
2000 -3.03% -
1999 -3.29% -
1998 -2.6% -
1997 -2.64% -
1996 -1.67% -
1995 -2.65% -
1994 -1.89% -
1993 -3.81% -
1992 -2.51% -
1991 -2.77% -
1990 -7.54% -
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/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Mauritania
2024 4.19% 2.49%
2023 0.74% 4.95%
2022 14.3% 9.53%
2021 3.65% 3.57%
2020 1.88% 2.39%
2019 -3.23% 2.3%
2018 1.96% 3.07%
2017 1.48% 2.25%
2016 0.44% 1.47%
2015 0.72% 3.25%
2014 -0.26% 3.53%
2013 0.53% 4.13%
2012 3.82% 4.9%
2011 2.76% 5.69%
2010 -0.76% 6.28%
2009 2.61% 2.22%
2008 10.7% 7.35%
2007 -0.23% 7.25%
2006 2.33% 6.24%
2005 6.42% 12.1%
2004 -0.4% 10.4%
2003 2.03% 5.15%
2002 2.18% 3.9%
2001 5.01% 4.71%
2000 -0.3% 3.25%
1999 -1.07% 4.07%
1998 5.08% 8.03%
1997 2.32% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.86M
Machinery & equipment $840K
Weapons & explosives $370K
Raw materials & minerals $39K
Textiles & consumer goods $17K
Raw agricultural goods $15K
Animal & marine products $7K
Metals $6K
Wood & paper products $1K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.76M
Machinery & equipment $76K
Raw materials & minerals $68K
Textiles & consumer goods $29K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Mauritania
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Mauritania
Economic freedom 49.1 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 136/197
Property rights 17.6 32.6
Government integrity 40.2 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 26.4
Tax burden 80.8 75.5
Government spending 72.9 80.2
Fiscal health 13.4 87.9
Business freedom 37.8 38.7
Labor freedom 62.1 53.6
Monetary freedom 71.9 77.8
Trade freedom 61 59.6
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Mauritania
2026 49.1 53.9
2025 51 54.9
2024 51.9 55.3
2023 56.2 55.3
2022 58.3 55.3
2021 56.5 56.1
2020 56.7 55.3
2019 59.4 55.7
2018 60 54
2017 59.6 54.4
2016 59.1 54.8
2015 58.6 53.3
2014 58.9 53.2
2013 59.9 52.3
2012 60.6 53
2011 60.6 52.1
2010 59.4 52
2009 59.5 53.9
2008 55.7 55.2
2007 55.1 53.6
2006 55.8 55.7
2005 56.6 59.4
2004 58 61.8
2003 58.9 59
2002 58.8 52.5
2001 56.7 48.5
2000 55.7 46
1999 55 42.8
1998 54.5 43.7
1997 54 47
1996 49.4 45.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking n/a
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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.