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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 122/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Burkina Faso vs Syria GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Syria
2024 $23,124,729,853 -
2023 $20,112,614,449 $19,993,439,950
2022 $18,622,421,395 $23,622,827,080
2021 $19,697,516,284 $14,353,205,678
2020 $17,725,010,533 $12,047,752,036
2019 $16,032,813,503 $22,583,045,060
2018 $15,890,066,221 $21,497,782,868
2017 $14,106,955,615 $16,369,843,352
2016 $12,833,363,045 $12,597,854,877
2015 $11,832,159,316 $16,466,863,117
2014 $13,943,016,077 $21,502,061,466
2013 $13,444,300,486 $21,361,254,635
2012 $12,561,015,157 $43,190,318,033
2011 $12,080,295,978 $67,539,428,159
2010 $10,109,619,741 $61,390,830,875
2009 $9,450,696,873 $54,111,735,629
2008 $9,451,435,490 $52,557,913,569
2007 $7,625,722,837 $40,465,318,382
2006 $6,547,419,820 $33,751,788,856
2005 $6,146,353,173 $28,858,965,517
2004 $5,451,688,538 $25,086,950,495
2003 $4,740,768,143 $21,828,144,686
2002 $3,622,350,063 $20,669,357,462
2001 $3,190,371,081 $20,237,024,725
2000 $2,968,370,088 $18,937,052,543
1999 $3,389,566,713 $15,873,875,969
1998 $2,804,902,367 $15,200,846,154
1997 $2,447,669,102 $14,505,233,463
1996 $2,586,550,595 $13,789,560,878
1995 $2,379,517,975 $11,396,706,587
1994 $1,895,290,637 $10,122,020,000
1993 $3,199,536,465 $13,695,962,055
1992 $3,356,692,505 $13,253,565,861
1991 $3,135,045,584 $12,981,833,333
1990 $3,101,300,779 $12,308,624,418
1989 $2,615,587,734 $9,853,395,762
1988 $2,616,040,479 $10,577,041,645
1987 $2,369,834,950 $11,356,215,543
1986 $2,036,303,358 $13,293,205,278
1985 $1,552,493,196 $16,403,539,893
1984 $1,459,880,132 $17,503,078,174
1983 $1,600,278,605 $17,589,277,143
1982 $1,754,450,096 $16,298,929,011
1981 $1,775,842,334 $15,518,201,335
1980 $1,928,719,888 $13,062,420,382
1979 $1,748,480,621 $9,929,681,529
1978 $1,475,583,645 $9,275,200,458
1977 $1,131,224,878 $7,696,011,396
1976 $976,547,188 $7,633,528,867
1975 $939,972,703 $6,826,980,444
1974 $751,133,430 $5,159,557,148
1973 $674,773,570 $3,239,487,516
1972 $578,595,522 $3,059,681,698
1971 $482,411,179 $2,589,851,325
1970 $458,404,269 $2,140,384,010
1969 $478,298,645 $2,245,011,515
1968 $460,442,689 $1,753,746,430
1967 $450,753,924 $1,580,229,799
1966 $433,889,766 $1,342,287,553
1965 $422,916,790 $1,472,036,540
1964 $410,321,645 $1,339,494,267
1963 $394,040,667 $1,200,447,408
1962 $379,567,099 $1,110,565,881
1961 $350,247,234 $945,244,972
1960 $330,442,816 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Syria by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 - -
2023 $873 $2,759 $847 $4,650
2022 $827 $2,645 $1,052 $4,772
2021 $896 $2,486 $664 $4,593
2020 $825 $2,381 $572 $3,738
2019 $765 $2,232 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $777 $2,073 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $709 $2,042 $852 $3,265
2016 $664 $1,882 $656 -
2015 $630 $1,692 $848 -
2014 $765 $1,661 $1,061 -
2013 $760 $1,643 $986 -
2012 $731 $1,572 $1,898 -
2011 $725 $1,531 $2,952 -
2010 $625 $1,449 $2,731 -
2009 $602 $1,360 $2,462 -
2008 $619 $1,351 $2,429 -
2007 $515 $1,290 $1,938 -
2006 $456 $1,244 $1,719 -
2005 $441 $1,172 $1,534 -
2004 $404 $1,079 $1,368 -
2003 $362 $1,038 $1,220 -
2002 $285.7 $974 $1,183 -
2001 $259.5 $948 $1,187 -
2000 $248.9 $896 $1,138 -
1999 $292.8 $886 $978 -
1998 $249.5 $838 $961 -
1997 $223.9 $794 $941 -
1996 $242.7 $753 $918 -
1995 $229.1 $684 $780 -
1994 $187.2 $650 $712 -
1993 $324 $644 $993 -
1992 $349 $623 $990 -
1991 $334 $623 $1,000 -
1990 $339 $567 $978 -
1989 $293.2 - $809 -
1988 $301 - $898 -
1987 $280.2 - $997 -
1986 $247.5 - $1,208 -
1985 $194.1 - $1,544 -
1984 $187.8 - $1,706 -
1983 $211.9 - $1,776 -
1982 $239 - $1,703 -
1981 $248.7 - $1,676 -
1980 $277.6 - $1,458 -
1979 $258.5 - $1,146 -
1978 $223.9 - $1,108 -
1977 $176 - $951 -
1976 $155.5 - $976 -
1975 $152.9 - $904 -
1974 $124.7 - $707 -
1973 $114.1 - $459 -
1972 $99.6 - $448 -
1971 $84.5 - $393 -
1970 $81.7 - $335 -
1969 $86.8 - $364 -
1968 $85 - $293.3 -
1967 $84.6 - $272.9 -
1966 $82.8 - $239.3 -
1965 $82.1 - $270.8 -
1964 $80.9 - $254.2 -
1963 $78.9 - $234.9 -
1962 $77.2 - $223.9 -
1961 $72.2 - $196.3 -
1960 $69.2 - $183.5 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Syria
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$20B
2023
GDP rank
122/197
2024
129/197
2023
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
-1.21%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
148/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$730
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
21.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
8.61%
2010
Population
24756783
26829400

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% - -
2023 29.4% 56.8% - -
2022 32.9% 59.2% - -
2021 27.8% 55.5% - -
2020 24.4% 43.6% - -
2019 23.3% 41.7% - -
2018 24.2% 38.1% - -
2017 26.3% 33.9% - -
2016 21.6% 32.9% - -
2015 20.4% 31.3% - -
2014 20.9% 26.1% - -
2013 25.3% 25.9% - -
2012 22.7% 25.2% - -
2011 20.4% 24.5% - -
2010 21.7% 23.7% 28.6% 30%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 26.3% 45%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 31.3% 113%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 28% 144.5%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 28% 147.7%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 20% 48.4% 29% 147.6%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 30.3% 163%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 17% 28.7% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 28.3% 189.8%
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/syria | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 30% in Syria, ranking 89/185 and 157/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Syria
2024 -5.84% -
2023 -6.91% -
2022 -10.9% -
2021 -7.45% -
2020 -5.16% -
2019 -3.39% -
2018 -4.43% -
2017 -6.92% -
2016 -3.08% -
2015 -2.09% -
2014 -1.74% -
2013 -3.55% -
2012 -2.76% -
2011 -2.04% -
2010 -4.06% -7.79%
2009 -4.16% -2.89%
2008 -3.63% -2.86%
2007 -5.01% -2.99%
2006 14.3% -1.12%
2005 -4.89% -4.41%
2004 -4.19% -4.18%
2003 -1.79% -2.7%
2002 -4.43% -2.02%
2001 -3.56% 2.3%
2000 -3.03% -1.36%
1999 -3.29% -1.47%
1998 -2.6% -2.81%
1997 -2.64% -1.78%
1996 -1.67% -2.83%
1995 -2.65% -3.81%
1994 -1.89% -6%
1993 -3.81% -4.96%
1992 -2.51% -7.26%
1991 -2.77% -6.57%
1990 -7.54% -3.92%
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/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Burkina Faso's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $410M, equivalent to 4.06% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 2.66% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Syria
2024 4.19% -
2023 0.74% -
2022 14.3% -
2021 3.65% -
2020 1.88% -
2019 -3.23% 13.4%
2018 1.96% 0.94%
2017 1.48% 18.1%
2016 0.44% 47.7%
2015 0.72% 38.5%
2014 -0.26% 10.9%
2013 0.53% 40%
2012 3.82% 36.7%
2011 2.76% 4.75%
2010 -0.76% 4.4%
2009 2.61% 2.92%
2008 10.7% 15.7%
2007 -0.23% 3.91%
2006 2.33% 10%
2005 6.42% 7.24%
2004 -0.4% 4.43%
2003 2.03% 5.8%
2002 2.18% -0.13%
2001 5.01% 3%
2000 -0.3% -3.85%
1999 -1.07% -3.7%
1998 5.08% -0.8%
1997 2.32% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.92%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $17K
Syria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $253K
Chemicals & pharma $41K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24K
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Syria
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
103/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$621M
2023
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
28.8%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
6.81%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Syria
Economic freedom 49.1 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 155/197
Property rights 17.6 4
Government integrity 40.2 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 3.7
Tax burden 80.8 87.3
Government spending 72.9 78.5
Fiscal health 13.4 13.8
Business freedom 37.8 33.8
Labor freedom 62.1 37.2
Monetary freedom 71.9 80
Trade freedom 61 47
Investment freedom 65 0
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Syria
2026 49.1 -
2025 51 -
2024 51.9 -
2023 56.2 -
2022 58.3 -
2021 56.5 -
2020 56.7 -
2019 59.4 -
2018 60 -
2017 59.6 -
2016 59.1 -
2015 58.6 -
2014 58.9 -
2013 59.9 -
2012 60.6 51.2
2011 60.6 51.3
2010 59.4 49.4
2009 59.5 51.3
2008 55.7 47.2
2007 55.1 48.3
2006 55.8 51.2
2005 56.6 46.3
2004 58 40.6
2003 58.9 41.3
2002 58.8 36.3
2001 56.7 36.6
2000 55.7 37.2
1999 55 39
1998 54.5 42.2
1997 54 43
1996 49.4 42.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Syria
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
44.9%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
12%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
43.1%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold n/a
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking n/a
62/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
16%
1969

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/syria | 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. TradeMap (2010–2021, 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.