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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Nepal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $42.9B for Nepal, ranking 122/197 and 101/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $20.7B (48.3% of GDP) in Nepal.

Burkina Faso vs Nepal GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Nepal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Nepal
2024 $23,124,729,853 $42,914,268,287
2023 $20,112,614,449 $41,047,772,331
2022 $18,622,421,395 $41,182,939,601
2021 $19,697,516,284 $36,924,841,394
2020 $17,725,010,533 $33,433,659,301
2019 $16,032,813,503 $34,186,180,699
2018 $15,890,066,221 $33,111,525,237
2017 $14,106,955,615 $28,971,588,940
2016 $12,833,363,045 $24,524,109,484
2015 $11,832,159,316 $24,360,801,287
2014 $13,943,016,077 $22,731,612,922
2013 $13,444,300,486 $22,162,204,925
2012 $12,561,015,157 $21,703,100,877
2011 $12,080,295,978 $21,573,872,421
2010 $10,109,619,741 $16,002,656,434
2009 $9,450,696,873 $12,854,985,464
2008 $9,451,435,490 $12,545,438,605
2007 $7,625,722,837 $10,325,618,017
2006 $6,547,419,820 $9,043,715,356
2005 $6,146,353,173 $8,130,258,378
2004 $5,451,688,538 $7,273,938,315
2003 $4,740,768,143 $6,330,473,097
2002 $3,622,350,063 $6,050,875,807
2001 $3,190,371,081 $6,007,055,042
2000 $2,968,370,088 $5,494,252,208
1999 $3,389,566,713 $5,033,642,384
1998 $2,804,902,367 $4,856,255,044
1997 $2,447,669,102 $4,918,691,917
1996 $2,586,550,595 $4,521,580,381
1995 $2,379,517,975 $4,401,104,418
1994 $1,895,290,637 $4,066,775,510
1993 $3,199,536,465 $3,660,041,667
1992 $3,356,692,505 $3,401,211,581
1991 $3,135,045,584 $3,921,476,085
1990 $3,101,300,779 $3,627,560,239
1989 $2,615,587,734 $3,525,225,787
1988 $2,616,040,479 $3,487,009,748
1987 $2,369,834,950 $2,957,255,380
1986 $2,036,303,358 $2,850,782,044
1985 $1,552,493,196 $2,619,913,956
1984 $1,459,880,132 $2,581,207,388
1983 $1,600,278,605 $2,447,174,803
1982 $1,754,450,096 $2,395,423,742
1981 $1,775,842,334 $2,275,583,317
1980 $1,928,719,888 $1,945,916,583
1979 $1,748,480,621 $1,851,250,008
1978 $1,475,583,645 $1,604,162,497
1977 $1,131,224,878 $1,382,400,000
1976 $976,547,188 $1,452,788,985
1975 $939,972,703 $1,575,789,254
1974 $751,133,430 $1,217,953,547
1973 $674,773,570 $972,101,725
1972 $578,595,522 $1,024,098,400
1971 $482,411,179 $882,765,472
1970 $458,404,269 $865,975,309
1969 $478,298,645 $788,641,965
1968 $460,442,689 $772,231,387
1967 $450,753,924 $841,974,025
1966 $433,889,766 $906,811,944
1965 $422,916,790 $735,267,082
1964 $410,321,645 $496,098,775
1963 $394,040,667 $496,947,904
1962 $379,567,099 $574,091,101
1961 $350,247,234 $531,959,562
1960 $330,442,816 $508,334,414

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Nepal by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Nepal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $1,447 $5,737
2023 $873 $2,759 $1,382 $5,395
2022 $827 $2,645 $1,386 $5,103
2021 $896 $2,486 $1,253 $4,546
2020 $825 $2,381 $1,154 $4,236
2019 $765 $2,232 $1,203 $4,261
2018 $777 $2,073 $1,179 $3,956
2017 $709 $2,042 $1,034 $3,605
2016 $664 $1,882 $877 $2,976
2015 $630 $1,692 $876 $2,957
2014 $765 $1,661 $821 $2,901
2013 $760 $1,643 $803 $2,658
2012 $731 $1,572 $788 $2,466
2011 $725 $1,531 $786 $2,248
2010 $625 $1,449 $585 $2,139
2009 $602 $1,360 $473 $2,029
2008 $619 $1,351 $465 $1,942
2007 $515 $1,290 $385 $1,809
2006 $456 $1,244 $340 $1,718
2005 $441 $1,172 $309 $1,628
2004 $404 $1,079 $279.6 $1,542
2003 $362 $1,038 $246.4 $1,453
2002 $285.7 $974 $238.9 $1,390
2001 $259.5 $948 $240.8 $1,388
2000 $248.9 $896 $223.8 $1,317
1999 $292.8 $886 $208.6 $1,234
1998 $249.5 $838 $205.1 $1,187
1997 $223.9 $794 $211.8 $1,162
1996 $242.7 $753 $198.8 $1,110
1995 $229.1 $684 $197.8 $1,058
1994 $187.2 $650 $187.3 $1,026
1993 $324 $644 $172.8 $952
1992 $349 $623 $165 $920
1991 $334 $623 $195.7 $889
1990 $339 $567 $185.8 $830
1989 $293.2 - $185 -
1988 $301 - $187.1 -
1987 $280.2 - $162 -
1986 $247.5 - $159.5 -
1985 $194.1 - $149.9 -
1984 $187.8 - $151.1 -
1983 $211.9 - $146.6 -
1982 $239 - $147 -
1981 $248.7 - $142.9 -
1980 $277.6 - $125.1 -
1979 $258.5 - $121.9 -
1978 $223.9 - $108.1 -
1977 $176 - $95.3 -
1976 $155.5 - $102.5 -
1975 $152.9 - $113.6 -
1974 $124.7 - $89.8 -
1973 $114.1 - $73.2 -
1972 $99.6 - $78.8 -
1971 $84.5 - $69.5 -
1970 $81.7 - $69.6 -
1969 $86.8 - $64.8 -
1968 $85 - $64.9 -
1967 $84.6 - $72.3 -
1966 $82.8 - $79.5 -
1965 $82.1 - $65.8 -
1964 $80.9 - $45.3 -
1963 $78.9 - $46.3 -
1962 $77.2 - $54.6 -
1961 $72.2 - $51.6 -
1960 $69.2 - $50.2 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $1,447 in Nepal, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Nepal
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$42.9B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
101/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
3.67%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$1,447
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$5,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
155/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$20.7B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
48.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$700
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
154/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$2,170
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
24.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.7%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
22.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
4.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
10.7%
2017
Population
24756783
29596762

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Nepal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Nepal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 22.1% 48.3%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 25.1% 47%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 26.1% 42.7%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 27.2% 43.3%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 28.5% 43.3%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 27.1% 34%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 28% 31.1%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 23.6% 25%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 19% 25%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 17.7% 25.7%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 16.6% 27.6%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 15.5% 31.9%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 16.8% 34.5%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 16.3% 32.4%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 16.5% 35.4%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 17% 39.5%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 13.4% 36.8%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 13.1% 37.9%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 11.2% 42.9%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 12% 45.1%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 11.8% 51.3%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 12% 53%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 13% 51.8%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 12.9% 50.8%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 11.4% 50.8%
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/nepal | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Nepal spent $9.5B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 48.3% in Nepal, ranking 89/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Nepal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Nepal
2024 -5.84% -2.76%
2023 -6.91% -5.81%
2022 -10.9% -3.12%
2021 -7.45% -3.98%
2020 -5.16% -7.47%
2019 -3.39% -4.27%
2018 -4.43% -5.83%
2017 -6.92% -2.69%
2016 -3.08% 1.2%
2015 -2.09% 0.46%
2014 -1.74% 1.36%
2013 -3.55% 1.57%
2012 -2.76% -1.18%
2011 -2.04% -0.72%
2010 -4.06% -0.67%
2009 -4.16% -2.24%
2008 -3.63% -0.29%
2007 -5.01% -0.67%
2006 14.3% 0.24%
2005 -4.89% 0.24%
2004 -4.19% -0.14%
2003 -1.79% -0.34%
2002 -4.43% -2.46%
2001 -3.56% -2.35%
2000 -3.03% -1.48%
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/nepal | 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 Nepal's deficit of $1.19B, or 2.76% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Nepal ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.74% of GDP for Nepal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Nepal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Nepal
2024 4.19% 4.69%
2023 0.74% 7.12%
2022 14.3% 7.67%
2021 3.65% 4.13%
2020 1.88% 5.06%
2019 -3.23% 5.57%
2018 1.96% 4.41%
2017 1.48% 2.78%
2016 0.44% 8.79%
2015 0.72% 7.87%
2014 -0.26% 8.36%
2013 0.53% 9.04%
2012 3.82% 9.46%
2011 2.76% 9.23%
2010 -0.76% 9.33%
2009 2.61% 11.1%
2008 10.7% 9.91%
2007 -0.23% 2.27%
2006 2.33% 6.92%
2005 6.42% 6.84%
2004 -0.4% 2.84%
2003 2.03% 5.71%
2002 2.18% 3.03%
2001 5.01% 2.69%
2000 -0.3% 2.48%
1999 -1.07% 7.45%
1998 5.08% 11.2%
1997 2.32% 4.01%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 6.43% in Nepal. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 4.69% in Nepal.

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Nepal
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
50/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$12.1B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$1.54B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$2.27B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$1.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
7.62%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Nepal
Economic freedom 49.1 52.9
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 144/197
Property rights 17.6 38.8
Government integrity 40.2 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 42.9
Tax burden 80.8 84.3
Government spending 72.9 82.1
Fiscal health 13.4 71
Business freedom 37.8 60.8
Labor freedom 62.1 48.2
Monetary freedom 71.9 69.4
Trade freedom 61 58.6
Investment freedom 65 10
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Nepal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Nepal
2026 49.1 52.9
2025 51 52.5
2024 51.9 52.1
2023 56.2 51.4
2022 58.3 49.7
2021 56.5 50.7
2020 56.7 54.2
2019 59.4 53.8
2018 60 54.1
2017 59.6 55.1
2016 59.1 50.9
2015 58.6 51.3
2014 58.9 50.1
2013 59.9 50.4
2012 60.6 50.2
2011 60.6 50.1
2010 59.4 52.7
2009 59.5 53.2
2008 55.7 54.1
2007 55.1 54.4
2006 55.8 53.7
2005 56.6 51.4
2004 58 51.2
2003 58.9 51.5
2002 58.8 52.3
2001 56.7 51.6
2000 55.7 51.3
1999 55 53.1
1998 54.5 53.5
1997 54 53.6
1996 49.4 50.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 52.9 for Nepal, ranking 144/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Nepal
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
55.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
11.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
21.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$5,830
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$12.5B
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
74/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$56.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$56.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
20.3%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
30.4%
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/nepal | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.