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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 122/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Burkina Faso vs Namibia GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Namibia
2024 $23,124,729,853 $13,372,354,512
2023 $20,112,614,449 $12,408,271,449
2022 $18,622,421,395 $12,569,449,123
2021 $19,697,516,284 $12,402,486,184
2020 $17,725,010,533 $10,583,748,542
2019 $16,032,813,503 $12,541,928,303
2018 $15,890,066,221 $13,682,019,076
2017 $14,106,955,615 $12,895,153,371
2016 $12,833,363,045 $10,722,018,732
2015 $11,832,159,316 $11,335,161,084
2014 $13,943,016,077 $12,435,430,970
2013 $13,444,300,486 $12,043,307,277
2012 $12,561,015,157 $13,042,053,592
2011 $12,080,295,978 $12,523,359,441
2010 $10,109,619,741 $11,431,412,421
2009 $9,450,696,873 $8,938,847,189
2008 $9,451,435,490 $8,607,431,497
2007 $7,625,722,837 $8,839,536,476
2006 $6,547,419,820 $8,001,779,551
2005 $6,146,353,173 $7,248,374,838
2004 $5,451,688,538 $6,609,205,995
2003 $4,740,768,143 $4,926,439,384
2002 $3,622,350,063 $3,349,169,826
2001 $3,190,371,081 $3,557,341,215
2000 $2,968,370,088 $3,922,232,165
1999 $3,389,566,713 $3,868,551,730
1998 $2,804,902,367 $3,873,109,866
1997 $2,447,669,102 $4,154,989,950
1996 $2,586,550,595 $3,989,163,197
1995 $2,379,517,975 $3,978,514,206
1994 $1,895,290,637 $3,666,503,530
1993 $3,199,536,465 $3,251,188,833
1992 $3,356,692,505 $3,429,521,699
1991 $3,135,045,584 $2,996,869,281
1990 $3,101,300,779 $2,789,921,854
1989 $2,615,587,734 $2,535,135,798
1988 $2,616,040,479 $2,495,094,746
1987 $2,369,834,950 $2,300,068,217
1986 $2,036,303,358 $1,809,048,527
1985 $1,552,493,196 $1,608,237,350
1984 $1,459,880,132 $1,951,260,038
1983 $1,600,278,605 $2,297,400,688
1982 $1,754,450,096 $2,118,710,248
1981 $1,775,842,334 $2,249,908,578
1980 $1,928,719,888 $2,421,990,338
1979 $1,748,480,621 -
1978 $1,475,583,645 -
1977 $1,131,224,878 -
1976 $976,547,188 -
1975 $939,972,703 -
1974 $751,133,430 -
1973 $674,773,570 -
1972 $578,595,522 -
1971 $482,411,179 -
1970 $458,404,269 -
1969 $478,298,645 -
1968 $460,442,689 -
1967 $450,753,924 -
1966 $433,889,766 -
1965 $422,916,790 -
1964 $410,321,645 -
1963 $394,040,667 -
1962 $379,567,099 -
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Namibia by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $873 $2,759 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $827 $2,645 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $896 $2,486 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $825 $2,381 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $765 $2,232 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $777 $2,073 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $709 $2,042 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $664 $1,882 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $630 $1,692 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $765 $1,661 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $760 $1,643 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $731 $1,572 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $725 $1,531 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $625 $1,449 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $602 $1,360 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $619 $1,351 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $515 $1,290 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $456 $1,244 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $441 $1,172 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $404 $1,079 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $362 $1,038 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $285.7 $974 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $259.5 $948 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $248.9 $896 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $292.8 $886 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $249.5 $838 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $223.9 $794 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $242.7 $753 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $229.1 $684 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $187.2 $650 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $324 $644 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $349 $623 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $334 $623 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $339 $567 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $293.2 - $1,967 -
1988 $301 - $2,063 -
1987 $280.2 - $1,969 -
1986 $247.5 - $1,599 -
1985 $194.1 - $1,466 -
1984 $187.8 - $1,830 -
1983 $211.9 - $2,214 -
1982 $239 - $2,097 -
1981 $248.7 - $2,267 -
1980 $277.6 - $2,468 -
1979 $258.5 - - -
1978 $223.9 - - -
1977 $176 - - -
1976 $155.5 - - -
1975 $152.9 - - -
1974 $124.7 - - -
1973 $114.1 - - -
1972 $99.6 - - -
1971 $84.5 - - -
1970 $81.7 - - -
1969 $86.8 - - -
1968 $85 - - -
1967 $84.6 - - -
1966 $82.8 - - -
1965 $82.1 - - -
1964 $80.9 - - -
1963 $78.9 - - -
1962 $77.2 - - -
1961 $72.2 - - -
1960 $69.2 - - -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Namibia
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
19.9%
2018
Population
24756783
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 37% 67.2%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 35% 24.6%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 32% 15.9%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 20% 48.4% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 29.6% 18%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 17% 28.7% 33% 11.8%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 30.2% 12.9%
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/namibia | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 89/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Namibia
2024 -5.84% -3.59%
2023 -6.91% -3.14%
2022 -10.9% -6.33%
2021 -7.45% -8.68%
2020 -5.16% -8.07%
2019 -3.39% -5.49%
2018 -4.43% -5.09%
2017 -6.92% -4.99%
2016 -3.08% -9.3%
2015 -2.09% -8.3%
2014 -1.74% -6.44%
2013 -3.55% -4.69%
2012 -2.76% -3.1%
2011 -2.04% -7.09%
2010 -4.06% -4.98%
2009 -4.16% -0.4%
2008 -3.63% 3.48%
2007 -5.01% 6.01%
2006 14.3% 3.41%
2005 -4.89% -0.31%
2004 -4.19% -2.67%
2003 -1.79% -4.47%
2002 -4.43% -1.38%
2001 -3.56% -2.01%
2000 -3.03% -0.79%
1999 -3.29% -1.88%
1998 -2.6% -2.76%
1997 -2.64% -2.38%
1996 -1.67% -3.7%
1995 -2.65% -1.74%
1994 -1.89% -0.57%
1993 -3.81% -2.73%
1992 -2.51% -2.55%
1991 -2.77% -1.59%
1990 -7.54% 1.08%
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/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Namibia
2024 4.19% 4.2%
2023 0.74% 5.9%
2022 14.3% 6.1%
2021 3.65% 3.6%
2020 1.88% 2.2%
2019 -3.23% 3.7%
2018 1.96% 4.3%
2017 1.48% 6.1%
2016 0.44% 6.7%
2015 0.72% 3.4%
2014 -0.26% 5.3%
2013 0.53% 5.6%
2012 3.82% 6.7%
2011 2.76% 5%
2010 -0.76% 4.9%
2009 2.61% 9.5%
2008 10.7% 9.1%
2007 -0.23% 6.5%
2006 2.33% 5%
2005 6.42% 2.3%
2004 -0.4% 4.1%
2003 2.03% 7.2%
2002 2.18% 12.7%
2001 5.01% 10.2%
2000 -0.3% 10.2%
1999 -1.07% 9.4%
1998 5.08% 6.6%
1997 2.32% 9.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $832K
Raw materials & minerals $27K
Metals $8K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $536K
Machinery & equipment $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Namibia
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Namibia
Economic freedom 49.1 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 95/197
Property rights 17.6 63.1
Government integrity 40.2 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 67.2
Tax burden 80.8 66.4
Government spending 72.9 57.1
Fiscal health 13.4 60.5
Business freedom 37.8 58
Labor freedom 62.1 62.7
Monetary freedom 71.9 76.1
Trade freedom 61 69.8
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Namibia
2026 49.1 60.2
2025 51 58.7
2024 51.9 57.5
2023 56.2 57.7
2022 58.3 59.2
2021 56.5 62.6
2020 56.7 60.9
2019 59.4 58.7
2018 60 58.5
2017 59.6 62.5
2016 59.1 61.9
2015 58.6 59.6
2014 58.9 59.4
2013 59.9 60.3
2012 60.6 61.9
2011 60.6 62.7
2010 59.4 62.2
2009 59.5 62.4
2008 55.7 61.4
2007 55.1 63.5
2006 55.8 60.7
2005 56.6 61.4
2004 58 62.4
2003 58.9 67.3
2002 58.8 65.1
2001 56.7 64.8
2000 55.7 66.7
1999 55 66.1
1998 54.5 66.1
1997 54 61.6
1996 49.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Namibia
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (2021–2024, 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.