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Economy of Burkina Faso vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $1.88T for South Korea, ranking 122/197 and 12/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $934B (49.8% of GDP) in South Korea.

Burkina Faso vs South Korea GDP by year

Burkina Faso
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso South Korea
2024 $23,124,729,853 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $20,112,614,449 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $18,622,421,395 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $19,697,516,284 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $17,725,010,533 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $16,032,813,503 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $15,890,066,221 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $14,106,955,615 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $12,833,363,045 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $11,832,159,316 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $13,943,016,077 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $13,444,300,486 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $12,561,015,157 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $12,080,295,978 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $10,109,619,741 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $9,450,696,873 $983,065,242,417
2008 $9,451,435,490 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $7,625,722,837 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $6,547,419,820 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $6,146,353,173 $971,740,329,984
2004 $5,451,688,538 $823,251,107,639
2003 $4,740,768,143 $728,516,494,684
2002 $3,622,350,063 $650,014,391,470
2001 $3,190,371,081 $567,564,806,235
2000 $2,968,370,088 $597,487,173,479
1999 $3,389,566,713 $515,697,079,289
1998 $2,804,902,367 $397,297,216,492
1997 $2,447,669,102 $589,202,526,424
1996 $2,586,550,595 $631,196,863,758
1995 $2,379,517,975 $586,286,469,401
1994 $1,895,290,637 $479,181,794,217
1993 $3,199,536,465 $405,705,302,846
1992 $3,356,692,505 $366,921,291,825
1991 $3,135,045,584 $340,851,946,804
1990 $3,101,300,779 $292,064,221,389
1989 $2,615,587,734 $254,236,243,100
1988 $2,616,040,479 $205,477,530,605
1987 $2,369,834,950 $152,240,393,646
1986 $2,036,303,358 $119,965,960,795
1985 $1,552,493,196 $103,764,281,281
1984 $1,459,880,132 $99,749,645,089
1983 $1,600,278,605 $89,621,208,322
1982 $1,754,450,096 $79,921,300,447
1981 $1,775,842,334 $74,287,368,087
1980 $1,928,719,888 $66,547,970,351
1979 $1,748,480,621 $68,083,884,298
1978 $1,475,583,645 $52,824,793,388
1977 $1,131,224,878 $39,064,462,810
1976 $976,547,188 $30,371,074,380
1975 $939,972,703 $22,126,033,058
1974 $751,133,430 $19,860,929,977
1973 $674,773,570 $14,067,523,813
1972 $578,595,522 $10,990,490,570
1971 $482,411,179 $10,005,257,131
1970 $458,404,269 $9,085,001,794
1969 $478,298,645 $7,743,940,189
1968 $460,442,689 $6,167,109,472
1967 $450,753,924 $4,895,076,718
1966 $433,889,766 $3,957,064,541
1965 $422,916,790 $3,141,131,708
1964 $410,321,645 $3,476,789,682
1963 $394,040,667 $4,007,692,308
1962 $379,567,099 $2,826,923,077
1961 $350,247,234 $2,427,244,761
1960 $330,442,816 $3,973,069,307

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs South Korea by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $873 $2,759 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $827 $2,645 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $896 $2,486 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $825 $2,381 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $765 $2,232 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $777 $2,073 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $709 $2,042 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $664 $1,882 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $630 $1,692 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $765 $1,661 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $760 $1,643 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $731 $1,572 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $725 $1,531 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $625 $1,449 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $602 $1,360 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $619 $1,351 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $515 $1,290 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $456 $1,244 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $441 $1,172 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $404 $1,079 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $362 $1,038 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $285.7 $974 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $259.5 $948 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $248.9 $896 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $292.8 $886 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $249.5 $838 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $223.9 $794 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $242.7 $753 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $229.1 $684 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $187.2 $650 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $324 $644 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $349 $623 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $334 $623 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $339 $567 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $293.2 - $5,989 -
1988 $301 - $4,889 -
1987 $280.2 - $3,658 -
1986 $247.5 - $2,911 -
1985 $194.1 - $2,543 -
1984 $187.8 - $2,469 -
1983 $211.9 - $2,246 -
1982 $239 - $2,032 -
1981 $248.7 - $1,918 -
1980 $277.6 - $1,746 -
1979 $258.5 - $1,814 -
1978 $223.9 - $1,429 -
1977 $176 - $1,073 -
1976 $155.5 - $847 -
1975 $152.9 - $627 -
1974 $124.7 - $572 -
1973 $114.1 - $412 -
1972 $99.6 - $328 -
1971 $84.5 - $304 -
1970 $81.7 - $281.8 -
1969 $86.8 - $245.5 -
1968 $85 - $200 -
1967 $84.6 - $162.5 -
1966 $82.8 - $134.4 -
1965 $82.1 - $109.4 -
1964 $80.9 - $124.2 -
1963 $78.9 - $147 -
1962 $77.2 - $106.6 -
1961 $72.2 - $94.2 -
1960 $69.2 - $158.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/south-korea | CC BY

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $36,239 in South Korea, ranking 31/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso South Korea
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$1.88T
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
12/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$36,239
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$934B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
49.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$18,052
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
33/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$27,215
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.56T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,301,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
30
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
22.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
2.32%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
2.78%
2024
Population
24756783
51649918

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 22.5% 49.8%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 24.1% 48%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 18.6% 38%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 19% 36%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 18.7% 27%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 16% 16.1%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 16% 13.8%
1997 20% 48.4% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 14% 7.81%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 15.1% 10.9%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 15.5% 11.6%
1991 17% 28.7% 15.4% 11.9%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 15.2% 12.8%
1989 14.2% 25.5% 15% 12.4%
1988 16.2% 28.8% 13.9% 12.7%
1987 19.2% 30.7% 14.3% 15.3%
1986 16.3% 27.6% 14.9% 14.5%
1985 11.5% 28.5% 15.5% 16.2%
1984 - - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 - - 16% 19.3%
1982 - - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 - - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 - - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 - - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 - - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 - - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 - - 17% 20.4%
1975 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 - - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 - - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 - - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 - - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 - - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 - - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 - - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 - - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 - - 16% 4.44%
1965 - - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 - - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 - - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 - - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/south-korea | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $423B, or 22.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 49.8% in South Korea, ranking 89/185 and 110/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso South Korea
2024 -5.84% -0.78%
2023 -6.91% -0.67%
2022 -10.9% -1.49%
2021 -7.45% -0.02%
2020 -5.16% -2.11%
2019 -3.39% 0.35%
2018 -4.43% 2.42%
2017 -6.92% 2.08%
2016 -3.08% 1.56%
2015 -2.09% 0.5%
2014 -1.74% 0.57%
2013 -3.55% 0.79%
2012 -2.76% 1.63%
2011 -2.04% 1.72%
2010 -4.06% 1.61%
2009 -4.16% 0.24%
2008 -3.63% 1.58%
2007 -5.01% 2.49%
2006 14.3% 1.18%
2005 -4.89% 0.95%
2004 -4.19% 0.09%
2003 -1.79% 1.51%
2002 -4.43% 3.23%
2001 -3.56% 2.42%
2000 -3.03% 3.91%
1999 -3.29% 1.15%
1998 -2.6% 1.09%
1997 -2.64% 2.31%
1996 -1.67% 2.3%
1995 -2.65% 2.16%
1994 -1.89% 2.06%
1993 -3.81% 3.21%
1992 -2.51% 2.42%
1991 -2.77% 1.94%
1990 -7.54% 2.98%
1989 1.96% 2.27%
1988 -4.32% 2.85%
1987 -5.27% 1.7%
1986 -5.1% 0.8%
1985 -1.21% 0.47%
1984 - 0.78%
1983 - 1.05%
1982 - -0.41%
1981 - 0.99%
1980 - 0.46%
1979 - 0.47%
1978 - -0.27%
1977 - -1.81%
1976 - -0.87%
1975 - -3.68%
1974 - -2.78%
1973 - -1.72%
1972 - -4.33%
1971 - -1.3%
1970 - -0.52%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.36%
1967 - -2.87%
1966 - -4.27%
1965 - -3.43%
1964 - -4.1%
1963 - -4.32%
1962 - -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/south-korea | 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 South Korea's deficit of $14.7B, or 0.78% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.39% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso South Korea
2024 4.19% 2.32%
2023 0.74% 3.6%
2022 14.3% 5.09%
2021 3.65% 2.5%
2020 1.88% 0.54%
2019 -3.23% 0.38%
2018 1.96% 1.48%
2017 1.48% 1.94%
2016 0.44% 0.97%
2015 0.72% 0.71%
2014 -0.26% 1.27%
2013 0.53% 1.3%
2012 3.82% 2.19%
2011 2.76% 4.03%
2010 -0.76% 2.94%
2009 2.61% 2.76%
2008 10.7% 4.67%
2007 -0.23% 2.53%
2006 2.33% 2.24%
2005 6.42% 2.75%
2004 -0.4% 3.59%
2003 2.03% 3.51%
2002 2.18% 2.76%
2001 5.01% 4.07%
2000 -0.3% 2.26%
1999 -1.07% 0.81%
1998 5.08% 7.51%
1997 2.32% 4.44%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.68% in South Korea. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 2.32% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.06M
Precious metals & jewellery $33K
South Korea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $22.6M
Chemicals & pharma $5.61M
Machinery & equipment $2.21M
Weapons & explosives $1.32M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.11M
Animal & marine products $702K
Wood & paper products $364K
Textiles & consumer goods $78K
Miscellaneous $51K
Metals $19K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso South Korea
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
7/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+5.28%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$596B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$696B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$163B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$139B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
40.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso South Korea
Economic freedom 49.1 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 24/197
Property rights 17.6 89.6
Government integrity 40.2 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 77.5
Tax burden 80.8 61.5
Government spending 72.9 82.6
Fiscal health 13.4 93.5
Business freedom 37.8 81.5
Labor freedom 62.1 55
Monetary freedom 71.9 79.3
Trade freedom 61 73
Investment freedom 65 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso South Korea
2026 49.1 73.7
2025 51 74
2024 51.9 73.1
2023 56.2 73.7
2022 58.3 74.6
2021 56.5 74
2020 56.7 74
2019 59.4 72.3
2018 60 73.8
2017 59.6 74.3
2016 59.1 71.7
2015 58.6 71.5
2014 58.9 71.2
2013 59.9 70.3
2012 60.6 69.9
2011 60.6 69.8
2010 59.4 69.9
2009 59.5 68.1
2008 55.7 68.6
2007 55.1 67.8
2006 55.8 67.5
2005 56.6 66.4
2004 58 67.8
2003 58.9 68.3
2002 58.8 69.5
2001 56.7 69.1
2000 55.7 69.7
1999 55 69.7
1998 54.5 73.3
1997 54 69.8
1996 49.4 73
1995 - 72

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso South Korea
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
33.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$1.9T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$61,930
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$418B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
8/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$33.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$15.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$48.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
30%
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/south-korea | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.