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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $27.6B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 119/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $14.4B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Burkina Faso vs Rwanda GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Rwanda
2025 $27,627,297,461 $16,372,132,990
2024 $23,136,514,856 $15,111,064,182
2023 $20,106,062,972 $14,806,501,437
2022 $18,622,421,395 $13,747,404,814
2021 $19,697,516,284 $11,252,894,910
2020 $17,725,010,533 $10,487,146,253
2019 $16,032,813,503 $10,519,272,170
2018 $15,890,066,221 $9,650,161,136
2017 $14,106,955,615 $9,164,345,443
2016 $12,833,363,045 $8,596,812,241
2015 $11,832,159,316 $8,447,064,079
2014 $13,943,016,077 $8,129,984,484
2013 $13,444,300,486 $7,714,276,920
2012 $12,561,015,157 $7,556,673,276
2011 $12,080,295,978 $6,802,676,034
2010 $10,109,619,741 $6,052,276,078
2009 $9,450,696,873 $5,603,399,015
2008 $9,451,435,490 $5,120,655,375
2007 $7,625,722,837 $4,017,977,507
2006 $6,547,419,820 $3,274,207,945
2005 $6,146,353,173 $2,933,819,766
2004 $5,451,688,538 $2,376,496,067
2003 $4,740,768,143 $2,138,237,279
2002 $3,622,350,063 $1,966,003,468
2001 $3,190,371,081 $1,966,600,715
2000 $2,968,370,088 $2,068,836,754
1999 $3,389,566,713 $2,157,108,263
1998 $2,804,902,367 $1,989,343,546
1997 $2,447,669,102 $1,851,558,197
1996 $2,586,550,595 $1,382,334,879
1995 $2,379,517,975 $1,293,535,193
1994 $1,895,290,637 $753,636,370
1993 $3,199,536,465 $1,971,525,712
1992 $3,356,692,505 $2,029,026,962
1991 $3,135,045,584 $1,911,600,237
1990 $3,101,300,779 $2,550,185,679
1989 $2,615,587,734 $2,405,022,593
1988 $2,616,040,479 $2,395,492,687
1987 $2,369,834,950 $2,157,432,668
1986 $2,036,303,358 $1,944,710,684
1985 $1,552,493,196 $1,715,626,331
1984 $1,459,880,132 $1,587,413,084
1983 $1,600,278,605 $1,479,687,587
1982 $1,754,450,096 $1,407,243,139
1981 $1,775,842,334 $1,407,062,527
1980 $1,928,719,888 $1,254,765,642
1979 $1,748,480,621 $1,109,346,131
1978 $1,475,583,645 $905,709,076
1977 $1,131,224,878 $746,650,613
1976 $976,547,188 $637,753,853
1975 $939,972,703 $571,863,500
1974 $751,133,430 $308,458,423
1973 $674,773,570 $290,746,157
1972 $578,595,522 $246,457,838
1971 $482,411,179 $222,952,504
1970 $458,404,269 $219,900,006
1969 $478,298,645 $188,700,037
1968 $460,442,689 $172,200,018
1967 $450,753,924 $159,560,018
1966 $433,889,766 $124,525,703
1965 $422,916,790 $148,799,980
1964 $410,321,645 $129,999,994
1963 $394,040,667 $128,000,000
1962 $379,567,099 $125,000,008
1961 $350,247,234 $122,000,016
1960 $330,442,816 $119,000,024

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Rwanda by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,148 - $1,124 -
2024 $982 $2,896 $1,060 $3,711
2023 $873 $2,759 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $827 $2,645 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $896 $2,486 $843 $2,733
2020 $825 $2,381 $803 $2,285
2019 $765 $2,232 $823 $2,336
2018 $777 $2,073 $773 $2,125
2017 $709 $2,042 $751 $1,968
2016 $664 $1,882 $721 $1,866
2015 $630 $1,692 $726 $1,781
2014 $765 $1,661 $715 $1,678
2013 $760 $1,643 $695 $1,512
2012 $731 $1,572 $698 $1,455
2011 $725 $1,531 $643 $1,413
2010 $625 $1,449 $587 $1,314
2009 $602 $1,360 $557 $1,241
2008 $619 $1,351 $522 $1,191
2007 $515 $1,290 $421 $1,079
2006 $456 $1,244 $352 $1,002
2005 $441 $1,172 $324 $914
2004 $404 $1,079 $269.5 $832
2003 $362 $1,038 $249 $775
2002 $285.7 $974 $234 $760
2001 $259.5 $948 $237.3 $670
2000 $248.9 $896 $251.9 $609
1999 $292.8 $886 $264.7 $554
1998 $249.5 $838 $246.2 $528
1997 $223.9 $794 $238.7 $500
1996 $242.7 $753 $206 $499
1995 $229.1 $684 $228 $514
1994 $187.2 $650 $111 $311
1993 $324 $644 $247 $521
1992 $349 $623 $264.1 $575
1991 $334 $623 $254 $542
1990 $339 $567 $346 $549
1989 $293.2 - $335 -
1988 $301 - $344 -
1987 $280.2 - $320 -
1986 $247.5 - $297.7 -
1985 $194.1 - $271.6 -
1984 $187.8 - $259.9 -
1983 $211.9 - $250.6 -
1982 $239 - $246.4 -
1981 $248.7 - $254.6 -
1980 $277.6 - $234.4 -
1979 $258.5 - $213.8 -
1978 $223.9 - $179.9 -
1977 $176 - $152.7 -
1976 $155.5 - $134.4 -
1975 $152.9 - $124.1 -
1974 $124.7 - $68.9 -
1973 $114.1 - $66.9 -
1972 $99.6 - $58.4 -
1971 $84.5 - $54.4 -
1970 $81.7 - $55.2 -
1969 $86.8 - $48.9 -
1968 $85 - $46 -
1967 $84.6 - $44 -
1966 $82.8 - $35.4 -
1965 $82.1 - $43.5 -
1964 $80.9 - $39 -
1963 $78.9 - $39.3 -
1962 $77.2 - $39.2 -
1961 $72.2 - $39.3 -
1960 $69.2 - $39.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $1,148, ranking 176/197, compared to $1,124 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$27.6B
2025
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
119/197
2025
142/197
2025
GDP growth
5.29%
2024-2025
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,148
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
176/197
2025
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$14.4B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$597
2025
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
163/185
2025
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,632
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.59%
2024-2025
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.09%
2025
5.36%
2025
Population
24880655
15062056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.1% 52% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 27.8% 57.2% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 28.7% 59%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 31% 66.2%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 26.5% 27%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 25% 18.9%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 24.1% 19%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 19.3% 85.2%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 18.5% 87.2%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 22.7% 79.5%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 16.6% 71.1%
1997 20% 48.4% 17.2% 73.3%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 19.8% 84.6%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 18.3% 102.2%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 13.5% -
1993 17.9% 33.6% 20.6% -
1992 16.7% 29.6% 21.8% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burkina Faso's government spending was $7.21B, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burkina Faso and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 100/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Rwanda
2025 -3.54% -4.49%
2024 -5.84% -6.19%
2023 -6.91% -4.88%
2022 -10.9% -5.56%
2021 -7.45% -6.89%
2020 -5.16% -9.26%
2019 -3.39% -5%
2018 -4.43% -2.57%
2017 -6.92% -2.54%
2016 -3.08% -2.3%
2015 -2.09% -2.71%
2014 -1.74% -3.97%
2013 -3.55% -1.29%
2012 -2.76% -2.41%
2011 -2.04% -0.87%
2010 -4.06% -0.65%
2009 -4.16% 0.26%
2008 -3.63% 0.84%
2007 -5.01% -1.58%
2006 14.3% -0.03%
2005 -4.89% 1.14%
2004 -4.19% 2.31%
2003 -1.79% -1.25%
2002 -4.43% -2.06%
2001 -3.56% -1.83%
2000 -3.03% -0.22%
1999 -3.29% -4.48%
1998 -2.6% -2.63%
1997 -2.64% -2.25%
1996 -1.67% -5.08%
1995 -2.65% -2.07%
1994 -1.89% -9.68%
1993 -3.81% -6.7%
1992 -2.51% -7.31%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burkina Faso's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $978M, equivalent to 3.54% of GDP. This compares to Rwanda's deficit of $736M, or 4.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Rwanda
2025 -0.59% 5.91%
2024 4.19% 1.77%
2023 0.74% 19.8%
2022 14.3% 17.7%
2021 3.65% -0.39%
2020 1.88% 9.85%
2019 -3.23% 3.35%
2018 1.96% -0.31%
2017 1.48% 8.28%
2016 0.44% 7.17%
2015 0.72% 2.53%
2014 -0.26% 2.35%
2013 0.53% 5.92%
2012 3.82% 10.3%
2011 2.76% 3.08%
2010 -0.76% -0.25%
2009 2.61% 12.9%
2008 10.7% 15.4%
2007 -0.23% 9.08%
2006 2.33% 8.88%
2005 6.42% 9.01%
2004 -0.4% 12.3%
2003 2.03% 7.45%
2002 2.18% 1.99%
2001 5.01% 3.34%
2000 -0.3% 3.9%
1999 -1.07% -2.41%
1998 5.08% 6.21%
1997 2.32% 12%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.35%, compared with 6.8% in Rwanda. In 2025, inflation was -0.59% in Burkina Faso and 5.91% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $9.48M
Chemicals & pharma $25K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $632K
Machinery & equipment $71K
Raw agricultural goods $61K
Miscellaneous $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Rwanda
Current account balance
-$918M
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.97%
2024
-12%
2024
Goods imports
$5.82B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$6.12B
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$1.47B
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$630M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
30%
2025
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35%
2025
21.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Rwanda
Economic freedom 49.1 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 121/197
Property rights 17.6 60.3
Government integrity 40.2 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 27.5
Tax burden 80.8 80.6
Government spending 72.9 75.7
Fiscal health 13.4 37.5
Business freedom 37.8 60.1
Labor freedom 62.1 49.1
Monetary freedom 71.9 72.3
Trade freedom 61 61.8
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Rwanda
2026 49.1 56.5
2025 51 54.8
2024 51.9 51.6
2023 56.2 52.2
2022 58.3 57.1
2021 56.5 68.3
2020 56.7 70.9
2019 59.4 71.1
2018 60 69.1
2017 59.6 67.6
2016 59.1 63.1
2015 58.6 64.8
2014 58.9 64.7
2013 59.9 64.1
2012 60.6 64.9
2011 60.6 62.7
2010 59.4 59.1
2009 59.5 54.2
2008 55.7 54.2
2007 55.1 52.4
2006 55.8 52.8
2005 56.6 51.7
2004 58 53.3
2003 58.9 47.8
2002 58.8 50.4
2001 56.7 45.4
2000 55.7 42.3
1999 55 39.8
1998 54.5 39.1
1997 54 38.3
1996 49.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
30.1%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.6B
2025
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,890
2025
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
128/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$259M
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$57M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
34.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.