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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 122/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Burkina Faso vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
2024 $23,124,729,853 $31,800,428,266
2023 $20,112,614,449 $30,816,367,067
2022 $18,622,421,395 $31,653,185,953
2021 $19,697,516,284 $26,109,413,521
2020 $17,725,010,533 $23,848,447,850
2019 $16,032,813,503 $24,750,626,030
2018 $15,890,066,221 $24,109,780,708
2017 $14,106,955,615 $22,742,699,138
2016 $12,833,363,045 $20,758,876,953
2015 $11,832,159,316 $21,723,437,010
2014 $13,943,016,077 $23,210,823,987
2013 $13,444,300,486 $21,261,338,065
2012 $12,561,015,157 $21,295,168,666
2011 $12,080,295,978 $17,985,138,066
2010 $10,109,619,741 $14,250,786,675
2009 $9,450,696,873 $11,619,456,449
2008 $9,451,435,490 $11,670,892,801
2007 $7,625,722,837 $9,545,028,944
2006 $6,547,419,820 $8,354,911,041
2005 $6,146,353,173 $4,865,892,972
2004 $5,451,688,538 $3,927,157,867
2003 $4,740,768,143 $3,536,411,824
2002 $3,622,350,063 $2,999,511,040
2001 $3,190,371,081 $3,081,024,212
2000 $2,968,370,088 $3,521,339,699
1999 $3,389,566,713 $3,477,038,204
1998 $2,804,902,367 $3,789,443,015
1997 $2,447,669,102 $4,936,615,299
1996 $2,586,550,595 $5,155,311,077
1995 $2,379,517,975 $4,636,057,476
1994 $1,895,290,637 $5,502,786,070
1993 $3,199,536,465 $4,974,550,286
1992 $3,356,692,505 $4,377,980,510
1991 $3,135,045,584 $3,787,394,958
1990 $3,101,300,779 $3,219,729,083
1989 $2,615,587,734 $3,546,472,566
1988 $2,616,040,479 $3,656,177,881
1987 $2,369,834,950 $3,143,851,794
1986 $2,036,303,358 $2,647,995,602
1985 $1,552,493,196 $2,423,339,172
1984 $1,459,880,132 $2,552,662,617
1983 $1,600,278,605 $2,562,351,551
1982 $1,754,450,096 $2,368,719,683
1981 $1,775,842,334 $2,498,190,847
1980 $1,928,719,888 $2,545,808,456
1979 $1,748,480,621 $2,293,760,511
1978 $1,475,583,645 $1,947,878,831
1977 $1,131,224,878 $1,640,746,619
1976 $976,547,188 $1,511,843,235
1975 $939,972,703 $1,356,603,608
1974 $751,133,430 $1,467,417,672
1973 $674,773,570 $1,299,079,410
1972 $578,595,522 $858,761,926
1971 $482,411,179 $717,750,278
1970 $458,404,269 $645,568,215
1969 $478,298,645 $551,263,864
1968 $460,442,689 $485,184,190
1967 $450,753,924 $441,728,183
1966 $433,889,766 $390,992,063
1965 $422,916,790 $344,176,055
1964 $410,321,645 $305,312,049
1963 $394,040,667 $275,968,044
1962 $379,567,099 $261,184,042
1961 $350,247,234 $244,832,039
1960 $330,442,816 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Papua New Guinea by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $873 $2,759 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $827 $2,645 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $896 $2,486 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $825 $2,381 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $765 $2,232 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $777 $2,073 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $709 $2,042 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $664 $1,882 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $630 $1,692 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $765 $1,661 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $760 $1,643 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $731 $1,572 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $725 $1,531 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $625 $1,449 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $602 $1,360 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $619 $1,351 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $515 $1,290 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $456 $1,244 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $441 $1,172 $744 $2,322
2004 $404 $1,079 $621 $2,187
2003 $362 $1,038 $577 $2,142
2002 $285.7 $974 $506 $2,125
2001 $259.5 $948 $538 $2,168
2000 $248.9 $896 $636 $2,196
1999 $292.8 $886 $650 $2,280
1998 $249.5 $838 $733 $2,285
1997 $223.9 $794 $990 $2,432
1996 $242.7 $753 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $229.1 $684 $998 $2,436
1994 $187.2 $650 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $324 $644 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $349 $623 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $334 $623 $942 $1,869
1990 $339 $567 $826 $1,703
1989 $293.2 - $934 -
1988 $301 - $985 -
1987 $280.2 - $865 -
1986 $247.5 - $745 -
1985 $194.1 - $697 -
1984 $187.8 - $750 -
1983 $211.9 - $769 -
1982 $239 - $726 -
1981 $248.7 - $781 -
1980 $277.6 - $813 -
1979 $258.5 - $748 -
1978 $223.9 - $648 -
1977 $176 - $558 -
1976 $155.5 - $525 -
1975 $152.9 - $482 -
1974 $124.7 - $533 -
1973 $114.1 - $483 -
1972 $99.6 - $327 -
1971 $84.5 - $279.7 -
1970 $81.7 - $257.6 -
1969 $86.8 - $225.3 -
1968 $85 - $202.9 -
1967 $84.6 - $189 -
1966 $82.8 - $171.1 -
1965 $82.1 - $153.9 -
1964 $80.9 - $139.5 -
1963 $78.9 - $128.9 -
1962 $77.2 - $124.7 -
1961 $72.2 - $119.7 -
1960 $69.2 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
2.69%
2022
Population
24756783
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 22% 52.6%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 18% 22.2%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 19.4% 26%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 20% 45.7%
1997 20% 48.4% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 23.5% 30%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 17% 28.7% 22.4% -
1990 18.4% 25.6% 24.5% -
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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 89/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
2024 -5.84% -3.23%
2023 -6.91% -4.34%
2022 -10.9% -5.25%
2021 -7.45% -6.84%
2020 -5.16% -8.85%
2019 -3.39% -4.98%
2018 -4.43% -2.58%
2017 -6.92% -2.47%
2016 -3.08% -4.75%
2015 -2.09% -4.55%
2014 -1.74% -6.27%
2013 -3.55% -6.87%
2012 -2.76% -1.19%
2011 -2.04% 2.22%
2010 -4.06% 3.06%
2009 -4.16% -5.48%
2008 -3.63% 2.73%
2007 -5.01% 6.9%
2006 14.3% 5.34%
2005 -4.89% 2.85%
2004 -4.19% 2.03%
2003 -1.79% 0.19%
2002 -4.43% -1.75%
2001 -3.56% -1.33%
2000 -3.03% 0.3%
1999 -3.29% -1.94%
1998 -2.6% -0.16%
1997 -2.64% 0.67%
1996 -1.67% 2.05%
1995 -2.65% 1.08%
1994 -1.89% -1.01%
1993 -3.81% -4.9%
1992 -2.51% -4.33%
1991 -2.77% -0.62%
1990 -7.54% -2.04%
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/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
2024 4.19% 0.6%
2023 0.74% 2.3%
2022 14.3% 5.25%
2021 3.65% 4.48%
2020 1.88% 4.87%
2019 -3.23% 3.93%
2018 1.96% 4.37%
2017 1.48% 5.42%
2016 0.44% 6.67%
2015 0.72% 6%
2014 -0.26% 5.22%
2013 0.53% 4.96%
2012 3.82% 4.54%
2011 2.76% 4.44%
2010 -0.76% 6.01%
2009 2.61% 6.92%
2008 10.7% 10.8%
2007 -0.23% 0.91%
2006 2.33% 2.37%
2005 6.42% 1.78%
2004 -0.4% 2.16%
2003 2.03% 14.7%
2002 2.18% 11.8%
2001 5.01% 9.3%
2000 -0.3% 15.6%
1999 -1.07% 14.9%
1998 5.08% 13.6%
1997 2.32% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 49.1 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 134/197
Property rights 17.6 45
Government integrity 40.2 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 41.1
Tax burden 80.8 70.9
Government spending 72.9 86.1
Fiscal health 13.4 65.3
Business freedom 37.8 34.2
Labor freedom 62.1 65.1
Monetary freedom 71.9 77.4
Trade freedom 61 80.2
Investment freedom 65 25
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
2026 49.1 54.3
2025 51 52.5
2024 51.9 49.4
2023 56.2 51.7
2022 58.3 54.6
2021 56.5 58.9
2020 56.7 58.4
2019 59.4 58.4
2018 60 55.7
2017 59.6 50.9
2016 59.1 53.2
2015 58.6 53.1
2014 58.9 53.9
2013 59.9 53.6
2012 60.6 53.8
2011 60.6 52.6
2010 59.4 53.5
2009 59.5 54.8
2008 55.7 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 55.8 -
2005 56.6 -
2004 58 -
2003 58.9 -
2002 58.8 -
2001 56.7 57.2
2000 55.7 55.8
1999 55 56.3
1998 54.5 55.2
1997 54 56.7
1996 49.4 58.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | 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.