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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $19.9B for Niger, ranking 122/197 and 130/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $9.39B (47.2% of GDP) in Niger.

Burkina Faso vs Niger GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Niger
2024 $23,124,729,853 $19,876,128,486
2023 $20,112,614,449 $16,698,786,978
2022 $18,622,421,395 $15,433,852,712
2021 $19,697,516,284 $14,915,002,436
2020 $17,725,010,533 $13,744,653,103
2019 $16,032,813,503 $12,889,555,561
2018 $15,890,066,221 $12,837,307,497
2017 $14,106,955,615 $11,185,104,252
2016 $12,833,363,045 $10,398,861,982
2015 $11,832,159,316 $9,683,867,926
2014 $13,943,016,077 $10,862,943,544
2013 $13,444,300,486 $10,224,897,438
2012 $12,561,015,157 $9,426,912,648
2011 $12,080,295,978 $8,772,950,778
2010 $10,109,619,741 $7,851,192,502
2009 $9,450,696,873 $7,352,131,310
2008 $9,451,435,490 $7,297,600,226
2007 $7,625,722,837 $5,731,485,052
2006 $6,547,419,820 $4,756,361,252
2005 $6,146,353,173 $4,383,315,965
2004 $5,451,688,538 $3,760,443,738
2003 $4,740,768,143 $3,394,084,732
2002 $3,622,350,063 $2,782,192,879
2001 $3,190,371,081 $2,448,714,704
2000 $2,968,370,088 $2,241,753,193
1999 $3,389,566,713 $2,537,789,821
1998 $2,804,902,367 $2,643,363,519
1997 $2,447,669,102 $2,290,318,910
1996 $2,586,550,595 $2,405,686,940
1995 $2,379,517,975 $2,302,537,562
1994 $1,895,290,637 $1,938,058,175
1993 $3,199,536,465 $3,052,673,849
1992 $3,356,692,505 $3,386,232,579
1991 $3,135,045,584 $3,285,796,875
1990 $3,101,300,779 $3,512,356,508
1989 $2,615,587,734 $2,179,567,114
1988 $2,616,040,479 $2,280,356,193
1987 $2,369,834,950 $2,233,006,105
1986 $2,036,303,358 $1,904,096,998
1985 $1,552,493,196 $1,440,581,652
1984 $1,459,880,132 $1,461,243,326
1983 $1,600,278,605 $1,803,099,561
1982 $1,754,450,096 $2,017,612,216
1981 $1,775,842,334 $2,170,893,414
1980 $1,928,719,888 $2,508,524,721
1979 $1,748,480,621 $2,109,277,666
1978 $1,475,583,645 $1,774,365,590
1977 $1,131,224,878 $1,291,458,041
1976 $976,547,188 $1,064,517,601
1975 $939,972,703 $1,048,690,933
1974 $751,133,430 $1,026,137,111
1973 $674,773,570 $946,385,105
1972 $578,595,522 $742,779,661
1971 $482,411,179 $693,573,704
1970 $458,404,269 $649,916,621
1969 $478,298,645 $625,867,985
1968 $460,442,689 $641,214,226
1967 $450,753,924 $665,586,872
1966 $433,889,766 $702,296,079
1965 $422,916,790 $673,383,511
1964 $410,321,645 $582,816,396
1963 $394,040,667 $586,294,879
1962 $379,567,099 $531,736,599
1961 $350,247,234 $485,785,231
1960 $330,442,816 $449,526,873

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Niger by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $735 $2,050
2023 $873 $2,759 $638 $1,875
2022 $827 $2,645 $610 $1,840
2021 $896 $2,486 $609 $1,586
2020 $825 $2,381 $580 $1,497
2019 $765 $2,232 $562 $1,419
2018 $777 $2,073 $579 $1,276
2017 $709 $2,042 $522 $1,208
2016 $664 $1,882 $503 $1,189
2015 $630 $1,692 $486 $1,172
2014 $765 $1,661 $565 $1,161
2013 $760 $1,643 $552 $1,138
2012 $731 $1,572 $529 $1,162
2011 $725 $1,531 $511 $1,064
2010 $625 $1,449 $474 $1,058
2009 $602 $1,360 $461 $999
2008 $619 $1,351 $475 $1,010
2007 $515 $1,290 $387 $955
2006 $456 $1,244 $333 $935
2005 $441 $1,172 $319 $888
2004 $404 $1,079 $283.5 $832
2003 $362 $1,038 $265.2 $837
2002 $285.7 $974 $225.3 $832
2001 $259.5 $948 $205.4 $809
2000 $248.9 $896 $194.8 $764
1999 $292.8 $886 $228.3 $783
1998 $249.5 $838 $246.1 $801
1997 $223.9 $794 $220.6 $745
1996 $242.7 $753 $239.5 $746
1995 $229.1 $684 $237 $757
1994 $187.2 $650 $206.2 $748
1993 $324 $644 $335 $742
1992 $349 $623 $384 $746
1991 $334 $623 $384 $738
1990 $339 $567 $424 $739
1989 $293.2 - $271.3 -
1988 $301 - $292.6 -
1987 $280.2 - $295.3 -
1986 $247.5 - $259.6 -
1985 $194.1 - $202.4 -
1984 $187.8 - $211.5 -
1983 $211.9 - $268.8 -
1982 $239 - $310 -
1981 $248.7 - $343 -
1980 $277.6 - $409 -
1979 $258.5 - $354 -
1978 $223.9 - $307 -
1977 $176 - $229.8 -
1976 $155.5 - $194.8 -
1975 $152.9 - $197.2 -
1974 $124.7 - $198.3 -
1973 $114.1 - $187.9 -
1972 $99.6 - $151.4 -
1971 $84.5 - $145.2 -
1970 $81.7 - $139.8 -
1969 $86.8 - $138.3 -
1968 $85 - $145.6 -
1967 $84.6 - $155.4 -
1966 $82.8 - $168.6 -
1965 $82.1 - $166.3 -
1964 $80.9 - $148.1 -
1963 $78.9 - $153.3 -
1962 $77.2 - $143.2 -
1961 $72.2 - $134.6 -
1960 $69.2 - $128.3 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $735 in Niger, ranking 187/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Niger
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$19.9B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
130/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
10.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$735
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
187/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
47.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$347
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
173/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$1,163
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
13.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
9.07%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
0.4%
2022
Population
24756783
29080898

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 13.4% 47.2%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 21.6% 50.6%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 22.4% 45%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 21.2% 37%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 16.1% 55%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 14% 60.6%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 14.4% 69%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 13.7% 74%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 15% 63.3%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 20% 48.4% 12.9% 69.1%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 10.9% 63.5%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 12.5% 69.4%
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/niger | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Niger spent $2.67B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 47.2% in Niger, ranking 89/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Niger
2024 -5.84% -4.27%
2023 -6.91% -5.37%
2022 -10.9% -6.77%
2021 -7.45% -6.1%
2020 -5.16% -4.82%
2019 -3.39% -3.56%
2018 -4.43% -3.01%
2017 -6.92% -4.12%
2016 -3.08% -4.46%
2015 -2.09% -6.75%
2014 -1.74% -6.12%
2013 -3.55% -1.93%
2012 -2.76% -0.83%
2011 -2.04% -2.19%
2010 -4.06% -0.99%
2009 -4.16% -3.93%
2008 -3.63% 1.11%
2007 -5.01% -0.75%
2006 14.3% 31%
2005 -4.89% -1.53%
2004 -4.19% -2.76%
2003 -1.79% -2.17%
2002 -4.43% -2.21%
2001 -3.56% -2.59%
2000 -3.03% -2.83%
1999 -3.29% -4.27%
1998 -2.6% -2.23%
1997 -2.64% -2.39%
1996 -1.67% -0.36%
1995 -2.65% -3.19%
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/niger | 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 Niger's deficit of $848M, or 4.27% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.01% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Niger
2024 4.19% 9.07%
2023 0.74% 3.7%
2022 14.3% 4.23%
2021 3.65% 3.84%
2020 1.88% 2.9%
2019 -3.23% -2.49%
2018 1.96% 2.97%
2017 1.48% 2.8%
2016 0.44% 1.65%
2015 0.72% -0.58%
2014 -0.26% -0.93%
2013 0.53% 2.3%
2012 3.82% 0.46%
2011 2.76% 2.94%
2010 -0.76% 0.8%
2009 2.61% 0.58%
2008 10.7% 11.3%
2007 -0.23% 0.05%
2006 2.33% 0.04%
2005 6.42% 7.8%
2004 -0.4% 0.26%
2003 2.03% -1.61%
2002 2.18% 2.63%
2001 5.01% 4.01%
2000 -0.3% 2.9%
1999 -1.07% -2.3%
1998 5.08% 4.55%
1997 2.32% 2.93%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.39% in Niger. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 9.07% in Niger.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.95M
Raw materials & minerals $3.7M
Raw agricultural goods $1.58M
Metals $1.47M
Chemicals & pharma $1.39M
Machinery & equipment $1.26M
Textiles & consumer goods $643K
Weapons & explosives $360K
Wood & paper products $153K
Miscellaneous $1K
Niger
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $28.4M
Raw agricultural goods $3.59M
Machinery & equipment $1.42M
Wood & paper products $239K
Chemicals & pharma $232K
Animal & marine products $51K
Metals $49K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33K
Textiles & consumer goods $19K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Niger
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$2.33B
2023
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
146/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-14%
2023
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$2.59B
2023
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$992M
2023
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$1.22B
2023
Service exports
$621M
2023
$231M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
22.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
27.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Niger
Economic freedom 49.1 51
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 156/197
Property rights 17.6 16.6
Government integrity 40.2 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 28
Tax burden 80.8 78.2
Government spending 72.9 91.4
Fiscal health 13.4 47.6
Business freedom 37.8 32.4
Labor freedom 62.1 54.7
Monetary freedom 71.9 67.9
Trade freedom 61 65.8
Investment freedom 65 55
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Niger
2026 49.1 51
2025 51 51.5
2024 51.9 52.3
2023 56.2 53.7
2022 58.3 54.9
2021 56.5 57.3
2020 56.7 54.7
2019 59.4 51.6
2018 60 49.5
2017 59.6 50.8
2016 59.1 54.3
2015 58.6 54.6
2014 58.9 55.1
2013 59.9 53.9
2012 60.6 54.3
2011 60.6 54.3
2010 59.4 52.9
2009 59.5 53.8
2008 55.7 52.9
2007 55.1 53.2
2006 55.8 52.5
2005 56.6 54.1
2004 58 54.6
2003 58.9 54.2
2002 58.8 48.2
2001 56.7 48.9
2000 55.7 45.9
1999 55 48.6
1998 54.5 47.5
1997 54 46.6
1996 49.4 45.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Niger
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
17.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
34.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$18.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$2,030
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$1.02B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
22.1%
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/niger | 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 (2022–2024, 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.