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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $163M for Nauru, ranking 122/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $28.3M (17.4% of GDP) in Nauru.

Burkina Faso vs Nauru GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Nauru
2024 $23,124,729,853 $162,588,621
2023 $20,112,614,449 $151,435,610
2022 $18,622,421,395 $152,373,434
2021 $19,697,516,284 $175,390,281
2020 $17,725,010,533 $124,685,688
2019 $16,032,813,503 $125,160,116
2018 $15,890,066,221 $130,995,566
2017 $14,106,955,615 $109,355,639
2016 $12,833,363,045 $97,541,943
2015 $11,832,159,316 $84,863,441
2014 $13,943,016,077 $99,149,244
2013 $13,444,300,486 $94,385,015
2012 $12,561,015,157 $101,055,723
2011 $12,080,295,978 $65,071,880
2010 $10,109,619,741 $47,562,845
2009 $9,450,696,873 $44,176,246
2008 $9,451,435,490 $37,602,265
2007 $7,625,722,837 $22,766,972
2006 $6,547,419,820 $29,200,359
2005 $6,146,353,173 $30,070,666
2004 $5,451,688,538 $30,587,566
2003 $4,740,768,143 $24,778,160
2002 $3,622,350,063 $21,017,424
2001 $3,190,371,081 $22,613,288
2000 $2,968,370,088 $26,930,980
1999 $3,389,566,713 $27,328,613
1998 $2,804,902,367 $29,664,451
1997 $2,447,669,102 $37,331,507
1996 $2,586,550,595 $37,458,801
1995 $2,379,517,975 $39,969,706
1994 $1,895,290,637 $39,742,511
1993 $3,199,536,465 $43,542,088
1992 $3,356,692,505 $51,133,123
1991 $3,135,045,584 $52,533,789
1990 $3,101,300,779 $55,572,376
1989 $2,615,587,734 $53,736,786
1988 $2,616,040,479 $45,931,134
1987 $2,369,834,950 $40,118,410
1986 $2,036,303,358 $39,939,391
1985 $1,552,493,196 $41,548,741
1984 $1,459,880,132 $47,363,231
1983 $1,600,278,605 $48,439,093
1982 $1,754,450,096 $52,877,742
1981 $1,775,842,334 $51,689,637
1980 $1,928,719,888 $46,947,124
1979 $1,748,480,621 $44,431,330
1978 $1,475,583,645 $41,754,147
1977 $1,131,224,878 $40,444,702
1976 $976,547,188 $40,287,427
1975 $939,972,703 $40,106,776
1974 $751,133,430 $35,994,511
1973 $674,773,570 $26,529,817
1972 $578,595,522 $21,734,269
1971 $482,411,179 $19,009,433
1970 $458,404,269 $17,570,366
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/nauru | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Nauru by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $13,609 $14,173
2023 $873 $2,759 $12,752 $13,732
2022 $827 $2,645 $12,912 $13,245
2021 $896 $2,486 $14,979 $12,112
2020 $825 $2,381 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $765 $2,232 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $777 $2,073 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $709 $2,042 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $664 $1,882 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $630 $1,692 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $765 $1,661 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $760 $1,643 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $731 $1,572 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $725 $1,531 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $625 $1,449 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $602 $1,360 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $619 $1,351 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $515 $1,290 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $456 $1,244 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $441 $1,172 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $404 $1,079 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $362 $1,038 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $285.7 $974 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $259.5 $948 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $248.9 $896 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $292.8 $886 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $249.5 $838 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $223.9 $794 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $242.7 $753 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $229.1 $684 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $187.2 $650 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $324 $644 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $349 $623 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $334 $623 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $339 $567 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $293.2 - $5,723 -
1988 $301 - $5,012 -
1987 $280.2 - $4,485 -
1986 $247.5 - $4,569 -
1985 $194.1 - $4,859 -
1984 $187.8 - $5,654 -
1983 $211.9 - $5,896 -
1982 $239 - $6,577 -
1981 $248.7 - $6,594 -
1980 $277.6 - $6,138 -
1979 $258.5 - $5,950 -
1978 $223.9 - $5,721 -
1977 $176 - $5,646 -
1976 $155.5 - $5,703 -
1975 $152.9 - $5,740 -
1974 $124.7 - $5,199 -
1973 $114.1 - $3,864 -
1972 $99.6 - $3,191 -
1971 $84.5 - $2,811 -
1970 $81.7 - $2,619 -
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/nauru | CC BY

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $13,609 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Nauru
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$163M
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
1.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$13,609
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
74/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$28.3M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
17.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$2,367
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
113/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$8,783
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
122.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
9.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
5.06%
2021
Population
24756783
12125

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 122.1% 17.4%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 118.1% 20.5%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 134.8% 22.4%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 93% 20.5%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 106% 59.6%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 102.3% 78%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 96% 86.3%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 85.4% 113%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 66% 166.9%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 46% 157.3%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 68% 295.6%
2008 18.6% 24.9% - -
2007 22.8% 22.4% - -
2006 21.9% 20.1% - -
2005 20.2% 39.2% - -
2004 20.3% 40.7% - -
2003 17.6% 39.7% - -
2002 19.5% 43.3% - -
2001 19.7% 46.6% - -
2000 19.8% 47.5% - -
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/nauru | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $199M, or 122.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 17.4% in Nauru, ranking 89/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Nauru
2024 -5.84% 29.8%
2023 -6.91% 19.4%
2022 -10.9% 24.3%
2021 -7.45% 44.5%
2020 -5.16% 42.8%
2019 -3.39% 31%
2018 -4.43% 29.6%
2017 -6.92% 16.2%
2016 -3.08% 18.9%
2015 -2.09% 10.7%
2014 -1.74% 29.6%
2013 -3.55% 1.71%
2012 -2.76% 8.12%
2011 -2.04% 2.73%
2010 -4.06% 0.09%
2009 -4.16% 0.37%
2008 -3.63% -
2007 -5.01% -
2006 14.3% -
2005 -4.89% -
2004 -4.19% -
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/nauru | 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 Nauru's surplus of $48.4M, or 29.8% of GDP.

Over the past 16 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 4.65% of GDP, compared to surplus of 19.4% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Nauru
2024 4.19% 9.3%
2023 0.74% 4.8%
2022 14.3% 1.1%
2021 3.65% 2%
2020 1.88% 0.9%
2019 -3.23% 4.1%
2018 1.96% 1.1%
2017 1.48% 4.5%
2016 0.44% 8.1%
2015 0.72% 9.8%
2014 -0.26% 0.3%
2013 0.53% -1.1%
2012 3.82% 0.3%
2011 2.76% -3.4%
2010 -0.76% -2%
2009 2.61% 22.4%
2008 10.7% 1%
2007 -0.23% 5.6%
2006 2.33% 19.3%
2005 6.42% 8.7%
2004 -0.4% -
2003 2.03% -
2002 2.18% -
2001 5.01% -
2000 -0.3% -
1999 -1.07% -
1998 5.08% -
1997 2.32% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.7%, compared with 4.84% in Nauru. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 9.3% in Nauru.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Nauru
Export category Export value
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Nauru
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
75/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+5.98%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
110.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
55.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Nauru
Economic freedom 49.1 60
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 97/197
Property rights 17.6 n/a
Government integrity 40.2 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 n/a
Tax burden 80.8 n/a
Government spending 72.9 n/a
Fiscal health 13.4 n/a
Business freedom 37.8 n/a
Labor freedom 62.1 n/a
Monetary freedom 71.9 n/a
Trade freedom 61 n/a
Investment freedom 65 n/a
Financial freedom 40 n/a

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Nauru
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$244M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$21,970
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
-$1.34M
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
n/a

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/nauru | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.