Skip to content

Economy of Burkina Faso vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 122/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Burkina Faso vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
2024 $23,124,729,853 $98,963,185,510
2023 $20,112,614,449 $83,716,142,582
2022 $18,622,421,395 $74,143,020,263
2021 $19,697,516,284 $88,556,698,938
2020 $17,725,010,533 $84,335,574,582
2019 $16,032,813,503 $88,998,706,297
2018 $15,890,066,221 $94,450,015,983
2017 $14,106,955,615 $94,369,350,286
2016 $12,833,363,045 $88,000,211,172
2015 $11,832,159,316 $85,090,301,052
2014 $13,943,016,077 $82,531,125,191
2013 $13,444,300,486 $76,976,203,829
2012 $12,561,015,157 $70,447,217,164
2011 $12,080,295,978 $67,753,285,897
2010 $10,109,619,741 $58,636,049,434
2009 $9,450,696,873 $42,066,224,093
2008 $9,451,435,490 $40,713,826,215
2007 $7,625,722,837 $32,350,238,760
2006 $6,547,419,820 $28,267,410,543
2005 $6,146,353,173 $24,405,791,045
2004 $5,451,688,538 $20,662,525,941
2003 $4,740,768,143 $18,881,765,437
2002 $3,622,350,063 $16,536,535,647
2001 $3,190,371,081 $15,749,753,805
2000 $2,968,370,088 $16,595,882,819
1999 $3,389,566,713 $15,711,933,513
1998 $2,804,902,367 $15,760,736,956
1997 $2,447,669,102 $15,091,913,884
1996 $2,586,550,595 $13,897,738,375
1995 $2,379,517,975 $13,029,697,561
1994 $1,895,290,637 $11,717,604,209
1993 $3,199,536,465 $10,338,679,636
1992 $3,356,692,505 $9,703,011,636
1991 $3,135,045,584 $9,000,362,582
1990 $3,101,300,779 $8,032,551,173
1989 $2,615,587,734 $6,987,267,684
1988 $2,616,040,479 $6,978,371,581
1987 $2,369,834,950 $6,682,167,120
1986 $2,036,303,358 $6,405,210,564
1985 $1,552,493,196 $5,978,460,972
1984 $1,459,880,132 $6,043,474,843
1983 $1,600,278,605 $5,167,913,302
1982 $1,754,450,096 $4,768,765,017
1981 $1,775,842,334 $4,415,844,156
1980 $1,928,719,888 $4,024,621,900
1979 $1,748,480,621 $3,364,611,432
1978 $1,475,583,645 $2,733,183,857
1977 $1,131,224,878 $4,104,509,583
1976 $976,547,188 $3,591,319,857
1975 $939,972,703 $3,791,298,146
1974 $751,133,430 $3,574,586,466
1973 $674,773,570 $2,875,625,000
1972 $578,595,522 $2,553,936,348
1971 $482,411,179 $2,369,308,600
1970 $458,404,269 $2,296,470,588
1969 $478,298,645 $1,965,546,218
1968 $460,442,689 $1,801,344,538
1967 $450,753,924 $1,859,465,021
1966 $433,889,766 $1,751,470,588
1965 $422,916,790 $1,698,319,328
1964 $410,321,645 $1,309,747,899
1963 $394,040,667 $1,240,672,269
1962 $379,567,099 $1,434,156,379
1961 $350,247,234 $1,444,327,731
1960 $330,442,816 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Sri Lanka by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $873 $2,759 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $827 $2,645 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $896 $2,486 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $825 $2,381 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $765 $2,232 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $777 $2,073 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $709 $2,042 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $664 $1,882 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $630 $1,692 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $765 $1,661 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $760 $1,643 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $731 $1,572 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $725 $1,531 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $625 $1,449 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $602 $1,360 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $619 $1,351 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $515 $1,290 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $456 $1,244 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $441 $1,172 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $404 $1,079 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $362 $1,038 $946 $4,850
2002 $285.7 $974 $835 $4,522
2001 $259.5 $948 $804 $4,328
2000 $248.9 $896 $860 $4,368
1999 $292.8 $886 $829 $4,103
1998 $249.5 $838 $848 $3,952
1997 $223.9 $794 $827 $3,804
1996 $242.7 $753 $776 $3,582
1995 $229.1 $684 $742 $3,454
1994 $187.2 $650 $678 $3,260
1993 $324 $644 $607 $3,067
1992 $349 $623 $580 $2,851
1991 $334 $623 $546 $2,713
1990 $339 $567 $491 $2,527
1989 $293.2 - $430 -
1988 $301 - $434 -
1987 $280.2 - $420 -
1986 $247.5 - $407 -
1985 $194.1 - $385 -
1984 $187.8 - $391 -
1983 $211.9 - $336 -
1982 $239 - $312 -
1981 $248.7 - $292.5 -
1980 $277.6 - $271.1 -
1979 $258.5 - $230.8 -
1978 $223.9 - $191 -
1977 $176 - $292.1 -
1976 $155.5 - $260.3 -
1975 $152.9 - $279.8 -
1974 $124.7 - $268.7 -
1973 $114.1 - $220.2 -
1972 $99.6 - $199.4 -
1971 $84.5 - $188.8 -
1970 $81.7 - $186.9 -
1969 $86.8 - $163.6 -
1968 $85 - $153.5 -
1967 $84.6 - $162.3 -
1966 $82.8 - $156.6 -
1965 $82.1 - $155.6 -
1964 $80.9 - $122.9 -
1963 $78.9 - $119.4 -
1962 $77.2 - $141.4 -
1961 $72.2 - $145.9 -
1960 $69.2 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/sri-lanka | CC BY

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
4.67%
2023
Population
24756783
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 20% 102.7%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 18.2% 75%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 21% 72.8%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 20% 48.4% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 23% 77.9%
1991 17% 28.7% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 25.4% 78.9%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 89/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
2024 -5.84% -5.64%
2023 -6.91% -8.32%
2022 -10.9% -10.2%
2021 -7.45% -11.7%
2020 -5.16% -13.4%
2019 -3.39% -7.52%
2018 -4.43% -4.96%
2017 -6.92% -5.1%
2016 -3.08% -5%
2015 -2.09% -6.64%
2014 -1.74% -5.99%
2013 -3.55% -5%
2012 -2.76% -5.44%
2011 -2.04% -6.01%
2010 -4.06% -6.73%
2009 -4.16% -8.33%
2008 -3.63% -5.93%
2007 -5.01% -5.81%
2006 14.3% -5.91%
2005 -4.89% -5.93%
2004 -4.19% -6.32%
2003 -1.79% -6.15%
2002 -4.43% -6.9%
2001 -3.56% -8.48%
2000 -3.03% -7.78%
1999 -3.29% -5.58%
1998 -2.6% -6.79%
1997 -2.64% -5.71%
1996 -1.67% -6.89%
1995 -2.65% -7.11%
1994 -1.89% -7.41%
1993 -3.81% -5.77%
1992 -2.51% -4.95%
1991 -2.77% -7.97%
1990 -7.54% -6.39%
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/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
2024 4.19% -0.43%
2023 0.74% 16.5%
2022 14.3% 49.7%
2021 3.65% 7.01%
2020 1.88% 6.15%
2019 -3.23% 3.53%
2018 1.96% 2.14%
2017 1.48% 7.7%
2016 0.44% 3.96%
2015 0.72% 3.77%
2014 -0.26% 3.18%
2013 0.53% 6.91%
2012 3.82% 7.54%
2011 2.76% 6.72%
2010 -0.76% 6.22%
2009 2.61% 3.46%
2008 10.7% 22.6%
2007 -0.23% 15.8%
2006 2.33% 10%
2005 6.42% 11.6%
2004 -0.4% 7.58%
2003 2.03% 6.31%
2002 2.18% 9.55%
2001 5.01% 14.2%
2000 -0.3% 6.18%
1999 -1.07% 4.69%
1998 5.08% 9.36%
1997 2.32% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.47M
Raw materials & minerals $39K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30K
Textiles & consumer goods $19K
Machinery & equipment $6K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 49.1 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 162/197
Property rights 17.6 47.3
Government integrity 40.2 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 47.2
Tax burden 80.8 77
Government spending 72.9 89
Fiscal health 13.4 0
Business freedom 37.8 60.1
Labor freedom 62.1 54.3
Monetary freedom 71.9 65.9
Trade freedom 61 65.6
Investment freedom 65 30
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
2026 49.1 50.3
2025 51 49.4
2024 51.9 49.2
2023 56.2 52.2
2022 58.3 53.3
2021 56.5 55.7
2020 56.7 57.4
2019 59.4 56.4
2018 60 57.8
2017 59.6 57.4
2016 59.1 59.9
2015 58.6 58.6
2014 58.9 60
2013 59.9 60.7
2012 60.6 58.3
2011 60.6 57.1
2010 59.4 54.6
2009 59.5 56
2008 55.7 58.4
2007 55.1 59.4
2006 55.8 58.7
2005 56.6 61
2004 58 61.6
2003 58.9 62.5
2002 58.8 64
2001 56.7 66
2000 55.7 63.2
1999 55 64
1998 54.5 64.6
1997 54 65.5
1996 49.4 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
27%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1995–2026, 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 (2023–2024, 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.