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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 122/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Burkina Faso vs Sudan GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Sudan
2024 $23,124,729,853 $49,672,435,513
2023 $20,112,614,449 $39,898,289,821
2022 $18,622,421,395 $51,666,875,363
2021 $19,697,516,284 $34,229,513,775
2020 $17,725,010,533 $27,034,593,750
2019 $16,032,813,503 $32,338,079,165
2018 $15,890,066,221 $32,333,780,383
2017 $14,106,955,615 $41,283,617,976
2016 $12,833,363,045 $42,630,376,000
2015 $11,832,159,316 $51,726,758,677
2014 $13,943,016,077 $49,516,748,618
2013 $13,444,300,486 $43,024,018,082
2012 $12,561,015,157 $37,632,919,967
2011 $12,080,295,978 $55,018,567,211
2010 $10,109,619,741 $58,962,978,034
2009 $9,450,696,873 $51,621,044,077
2008 $9,451,435,490 $64,833,083,257
2007 $7,625,722,837 $59,440,139,775
2006 $6,547,419,820 $45,263,831,634
2005 $6,146,353,173 $35,182,711,988
2004 $5,451,688,538 $26,646,007,251
2003 $4,740,768,143 $21,355,298,460
2002 $3,622,350,063 $18,137,128,388
2001 $3,190,371,081 $15,716,361,792
2000 $2,968,370,088 $12,257,299,147
1999 $3,389,566,713 $10,682,028,340
1998 $2,804,902,367 $11,250,221,537
1997 $2,447,669,102 $11,681,175,864
1996 $2,586,550,595 $9,018,300,725
1995 $2,379,517,975 $13,830,363,900
1994 $1,895,290,637 $12,793,794,737
1993 $3,199,536,465 $8,881,005,436
1992 $3,356,692,505 $7,031,933,492
1991 $3,135,045,584 $44,171,194,366
1990 $3,101,300,779 $33,641,222,222
1989 $2,615,587,734 $21,408,111,111
1988 $2,616,040,479 $14,372,555,556
1987 $2,369,834,950 $12,093,333,333
1986 $2,036,303,358 $10,092,200,000
1985 $1,552,493,196 $8,075,259,600
1984 $1,459,880,132 $10,447,615,385
1983 $1,600,278,605 $8,230,153,846
1982 $1,754,450,096 $8,732,542,274
1981 $1,775,842,334 $10,753,888,154
1980 $1,928,719,888 $8,951,800,000
1979 $1,748,480,621 $8,418,407,787
1978 $1,475,583,645 $8,128,719,315
1977 $1,131,224,878 $7,499,005,639
1976 $976,547,188 $6,013,210,816
1975 $939,972,703 $4,823,090,192
1974 $751,133,430 $3,958,931,660
1973 $674,773,570 $3,077,254,460
1972 $578,595,522 $2,483,055,722
1971 $482,411,179 $2,288,340,041
1970 $458,404,269 $2,100,229,759
1969 $478,298,645 $1,847,501,441
1968 $460,442,689 $1,677,771,401
1967 $450,753,924 $1,607,409,539
1966 $433,889,766 $1,484,491,676
1965 $422,916,790 $1,446,869,619
1964 $410,321,645 $1,388,282,600
1963 $394,040,667 $1,351,234,926
1962 $379,567,099 $1,328,259,625
1961 $350,247,234 $1,222,860,429
1960 $330,442,816 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Sudan by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $985 $2,116
2023 $873 $2,759 $797 $2,421
2022 $827 $2,645 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $896 $2,486 $712 $3,249
2020 $825 $2,381 $578 $3,349
2019 $765 $2,232 $710 $3,914
2018 $777 $2,073 $731 $4,199
2017 $709 $2,042 $967 $4,252
2016 $664 $1,882 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $630 $1,692 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $765 $1,661 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $760 $1,643 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $731 $1,572 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $725 $1,531 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $625 $1,449 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $602 $1,360 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $619 $1,351 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $515 $1,290 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $456 $1,244 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $441 $1,172 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $404 $1,079 $872 $3,215
2003 $362 $1,038 $714 $3,058
2002 $285.7 $974 $621 $2,898
2001 $259.5 $948 $551 $2,769
2000 $248.9 $896 $441 $2,616
1999 $292.8 $886 $394 $2,475
1998 $249.5 $838 $425 $2,428
1997 $223.9 $794 $453 $2,358
1996 $242.7 $753 $357 $2,006
1995 $229.1 $684 $561 $1,902
1994 $187.2 $650 $532 $1,805
1993 $324 $644 $379 $1,794
1992 $349 $623 $307 $1,710
1991 $334 $623 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $339 $567 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $293.2 - $992 -
1988 $301 - $680 -
1987 $280.2 - $584 -
1986 $247.5 - $497 -
1985 $194.1 - $406 -
1984 $187.8 - $534 -
1983 $211.9 - $431 -
1982 $239 - $472 -
1981 $248.7 - $605 -
1980 $277.6 - $525 -
1979 $258.5 - $515 -
1978 $223.9 - $518 -
1977 $176 - $497 -
1976 $155.5 - $413 -
1975 $152.9 - $343 -
1974 $124.7 - $291.5 -
1973 $114.1 - $235.8 -
1972 $99.6 - $198.2 -
1971 $84.5 - $189 -
1970 $81.7 - $179.6 -
1969 $86.8 - $163.5 -
1968 $85 - $153.7 -
1967 $84.6 - $152.4 -
1966 $82.8 - $145.6 -
1965 $82.1 - $146.8 -
1964 $80.9 - $145.7 -
1963 $78.9 - $146.6 -
1962 $77.2 - $148.9 -
1961 $72.2 - $141.6 -
1960 $69.2 - $134.7 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Sudan
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
24756783
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 18.8% 71%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 20% 48.4% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 12.9% 239%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 19.6% 386%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 50.4% 495%
1991 17% 28.7% 45.7% -
1990 18.4% 25.6% 31% -
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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 89/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Sudan
2024 -5.84% -3.46%
2023 -6.91% -3.7%
2022 -10.9% -2.15%
2021 -7.45% -0.29%
2020 -5.16% -6.03%
2019 -3.39% -10.8%
2018 -4.43% -7.92%
2017 -6.92% -6.07%
2016 -3.08% -3.92%
2015 -2.09% -3.87%
2014 -1.74% -4.72%
2013 -3.55% -5.76%
2012 -2.76% -7.37%
2011 -2.04% -2.33%
2010 -4.06% 0.11%
2009 -4.16% -3.8%
2008 -3.63% 0.49%
2007 -5.01% -2.84%
2006 14.3% -1.32%
2005 -4.89% -1.88%
2004 -4.19% 0.16%
2003 -1.79% 0.77%
2002 -4.43% -0.69%
2001 -3.56% -0.77%
2000 -3.03% -0.7%
1999 -3.29% -0.8%
1998 -2.6% -0.56%
1997 -2.64% -0.59%
1996 -1.67% -2.61%
1995 -2.65% -3.48%
1994 -1.89% -3.03%
1993 -3.81% -8.04%
1992 -2.51% -24.5%
1991 -2.77% -26.5%
1990 -7.54% -16.2%
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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Sudan
2024 4.19% -
2023 0.74% -
2022 14.3% 138.8%
2021 3.65% 359%
2020 1.88% 163.3%
2019 -3.23% 51%
2018 1.96% 63.3%
2017 1.48% 32.4%
2016 0.44% 17.8%
2015 0.72% 16.9%
2014 -0.26% 36.9%
2013 0.53% 36.5%
2012 3.82% 35.6%
2011 2.76% 18.1%
2010 -0.76% 13%
2009 2.61% 11.3%
2008 10.7% 14.3%
2007 -0.23% 14.8%
2006 2.33% 7.2%
2005 6.42% 8.51%
2004 -0.4% 9.66%
2003 2.03% 6.49%
2002 2.18% 22.2%
2001 5.01% 1.94%
2000 -0.3% 7.12%
1999 -1.07% 17.2%
1998 5.08% 24.6%
1997 2.32% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $21K
Machinery & equipment $20K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Metals $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$621M
2023
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Sudan
Economic freedom 49.1 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 191/197
Property rights 17.6 6.5
Government integrity 40.2 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 2.4
Tax burden 80.8 84.7
Government spending 72.9 96.5
Fiscal health 13.4 64.6
Business freedom 37.8 27.3
Labor freedom 62.1 33.6
Monetary freedom 71.9 6.2
Trade freedom 61 29.6
Investment freedom 65 5
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Sudan
2026 49.1 32.5
2025 51 35.3
2024 51.9 33.9
2023 56.2 32.8
2022 58.3 32
2021 56.5 39.1
2020 56.7 45
2019 59.4 47.7
2018 60 49.4
2017 59.6 48.8
2016 59.1 -
2015 58.6 -
2014 58.9 -
2013 59.9 -
2012 60.6 -
2011 60.6 -
2010 59.4 -
2009 59.5 -
2008 55.7 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 55.8 -
2005 56.6 -
2004 58 -
2003 58.9 -
2002 58.8 -
2001 56.7 -
2000 55.7 47.2
1999 55 39.6
1998 54.5 38.3
1997 54 39.9
1996 49.4 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Sudan
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking n/a
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (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 (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.