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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 122/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Burkina Faso vs Thailand GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Thailand
2024 $23,124,729,853 $526,517,658,842
2023 $20,112,614,449 $515,906,283,941
2022 $18,622,421,395 $495,644,697,588
2021 $19,697,516,284 $506,194,668,790
2020 $17,725,010,533 $500,461,898,480
2019 $16,032,813,503 $543,976,691,794
2018 $15,890,066,221 $506,754,208,404
2017 $14,106,955,615 $456,356,813,537
2016 $12,833,363,045 $413,366,349,748
2015 $11,832,159,316 $401,296,238,228
2014 $13,943,016,077 $407,339,040,198
2013 $13,444,300,486 $420,333,654,593
2012 $12,561,015,157 $397,558,325,279
2011 $12,080,295,978 $370,818,739,624
2010 $10,109,619,741 $341,104,766,329
2009 $9,450,696,873 $281,710,630,187
2008 $9,451,435,490 $291,382,982,431
2007 $7,625,722,837 $262,942,621,455
2006 $6,547,419,820 $221,758,296,022
2005 $6,146,353,173 $189,318,408,469
2004 $5,451,688,538 $172,895,685,155
2003 $4,740,768,143 $152,280,615,246
2002 $3,622,350,063 $134,300,904,400
2001 $3,190,371,081 $120,296,476,180
2000 $2,968,370,088 $126,392,224,254
1999 $3,389,566,713 $126,669,211,779
1998 $2,804,902,367 $113,675,596,788
1997 $2,447,669,102 $150,180,456,566
1996 $2,586,550,595 $183,035,237,429
1995 $2,379,517,975 $169,278,916,593
1994 $1,895,290,637 $146,683,778,959
1993 $3,199,536,465 $128,889,262,951
1992 $3,356,692,505 $111,452,746,518
1991 $3,135,045,584 $98,234,714,971
1990 $3,101,300,779 $85,343,190,719
1989 $2,615,587,734 $72,250,748,100
1988 $2,616,040,479 $61,667,253,471
1987 $2,369,834,950 $50,535,446,555
1986 $2,036,303,358 $43,096,773,981
1985 $1,552,493,196 $38,900,711,333
1984 $1,459,880,132 $41,797,647,776
1983 $1,600,278,605 $40,042,798,388
1982 $1,754,450,096 $36,589,772,404
1981 $1,775,842,334 $34,846,039,194
1980 $1,928,719,888 $32,353,514,989
1979 $1,748,480,621 $27,371,650,825
1978 $1,475,583,645 $24,006,566,637
1977 $1,131,224,878 $19,779,312,261
1976 $976,547,188 $16,985,208,648
1975 $939,972,703 $14,882,770,594
1974 $751,133,430 $13,702,998,512
1973 $674,773,570 $10,838,587,358
1972 $578,595,522 $8,177,873,151
1971 $482,411,179 $7,375,000,024
1970 $458,404,269 $7,086,538,438
1969 $478,298,645 $6,695,336,567
1968 $460,442,689 $6,081,009,428
1967 $450,753,924 $5,638,461,442
1966 $433,889,766 $5,279,230,817
1965 $422,916,790 $4,388,937,649
1964 $410,321,645 $3,889,129,942
1963 $394,040,667 $3,540,403,457
1962 $379,567,099 $3,308,912,797
1961 $350,247,234 $3,034,037,811
1960 $330,442,816 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Thailand by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $873 $2,759 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $827 $2,645 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $896 $2,486 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $825 $2,381 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $765 $2,232 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $777 $2,073 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $709 $2,042 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $664 $1,882 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $630 $1,692 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $765 $1,661 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $760 $1,643 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $731 $1,572 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $725 $1,531 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $625 $1,449 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $602 $1,360 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $619 $1,351 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $515 $1,290 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $456 $1,244 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $441 $1,172 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $404 $1,079 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $362 $1,038 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $285.7 $974 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $259.5 $948 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $248.9 $896 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $292.8 $886 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $249.5 $838 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $223.9 $794 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $242.7 $753 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $229.1 $684 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $187.2 $650 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $324 $644 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $349 $623 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $334 $623 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $339 $567 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $293.2 - $1,342 -
1988 $301 - $1,164 -
1987 $280.2 - $970 -
1986 $247.5 - $842 -
1985 $194.1 - $774 -
1984 $187.8 - $847 -
1983 $211.9 - $827 -
1982 $239 - $770 -
1981 $248.7 - $748 -
1980 $277.6 - $709 -
1979 $258.5 - $612 -
1978 $223.9 - $548 -
1977 $176 - $462 -
1976 $155.5 - $405 -
1975 $152.9 - $364 -
1974 $124.7 - $343 -
1973 $114.1 - $278.3 -
1972 $99.6 - $215.6 -
1971 $84.5 - $199.7 -
1970 $81.7 - $197.1 -
1969 $86.8 - $191.4 -
1968 $85 - $178.8 -
1967 $84.6 - $170.7 -
1966 $82.8 - $164.5 -
1965 $82.1 - $140.9 -
1964 $80.9 - $128.6 -
1963 $78.9 - $120.7 -
1962 $77.2 - $116.2 -
1961 $72.2 - $109.7 -
1960 $69.2 - $102.8 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Thailand
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
0.78%
2024
Population
24756783
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 22% 39.8%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 20% 36%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 20% 48.4% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 18% 15.2%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 16% 6.69%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 17% 28.7% 17% 14.1%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 16.6% 18%
1989 14.2% 25.5% 16.5% 23.7%
1988 16.2% 28.8% 15.1% 30.3%
1987 19.2% 30.7% 17.5% 38.8%
1986 16.3% 27.6% 19.5% 40.1%
1985 11.5% 28.5% 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

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/thailand | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 89/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Thailand
2024 -5.84% -1.29%
2023 -6.91% -1.98%
2022 -10.9% -4.61%
2021 -7.45% -6.74%
2020 -5.16% -4.47%
2019 -3.39% 0.43%
2018 -4.43% 0.2%
2017 -6.92% -0.42%
2016 -3.08% 0.41%
2015 -2.09% 0.19%
2014 -1.74% -0.7%
2013 -3.55% 0.6%
2012 -2.76% -0.86%
2011 -2.04% 0.09%
2010 -4.06% -1.07%
2009 -4.16% -2.21%
2008 -3.63% 0.8%
2007 -5.01% 0.22%
2006 14.3% 1.87%
2005 -4.89% 2.17%
2004 -4.19% 1.11%
2003 -1.79% 1.98%
2002 -4.43% -6.72%
2001 -3.56% -1.77%
2000 -3.03% -1.79%
1999 -3.29% -9.02%
1998 -2.6% -6.29%
1997 -2.64% -1.68%
1996 -1.67% 2.75%
1995 -2.65% 3.05%
1994 -1.89% 2.78%
1993 -3.81% 6.67%
1992 -2.51% -0.18%
1991 -2.77% 1.6%
1990 -7.54% 1.41%
1989 1.96% 0.16%
1988 -4.32% 0.58%
1987 -5.27% -2.38%
1986 -5.1% -4.32%
1985 -1.21% -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burkina-faso/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 38 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.86% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Thailand
2024 4.19% 1.37%
2023 0.74% 8.48%
2022 14.3% -1.61%
2021 3.65% 1.23%
2020 1.88% -0.85%
2019 -3.23% 0.71%
2018 1.96% 1.06%
2017 1.48% 0.67%
2016 0.44% 0.19%
2015 0.72% -0.9%
2014 -0.26% 1.9%
2013 0.53% 2.18%
2012 3.82% 3.01%
2011 2.76% 3.81%
2010 -0.76% 3.25%
2009 2.61% -0.85%
2008 10.7% 5.47%
2007 -0.23% 2.24%
2006 2.33% 4.64%
2005 6.42% 4.54%
2004 -0.4% 2.76%
2003 2.03% 1.8%
2002 2.18% 0.7%
2001 5.01% 1.63%
2000 -0.3% 1.59%
1999 -1.07% 0.28%
1998 5.08% 7.99%
1997 2.32% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $47K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Metals $3K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $4.56M
Raw agricultural goods $2.96M
Raw materials & minerals $1.83M
Machinery & equipment $1.82M
Wood & paper products $1.05M
Chemicals & pharma $444K
Metals $205K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $108K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Thailand
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$297B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$74B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Thailand
Economic freedom 49.1 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 88/197
Property rights 17.6 41.8
Government integrity 40.2 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 35
Tax burden 80.8 80.8
Government spending 72.9 83.6
Fiscal health 13.4 81
Business freedom 37.8 69.9
Labor freedom 62.1 56.4
Monetary freedom 71.9 73.3
Trade freedom 61 70.2
Investment freedom 65 55
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Thailand
2026 49.1 62.2
2025 51 60.6
2024 51.9 59
2023 56.2 60.6
2022 58.3 63.2
2021 56.5 69.7
2020 56.7 69.4
2019 59.4 68.3
2018 60 67.1
2017 59.6 66.2
2016 59.1 63.9
2015 58.6 62.4
2014 58.9 63.3
2013 59.9 64.1
2012 60.6 64.9
2011 60.6 64.7
2010 59.4 64.1
2009 59.5 63
2008 55.7 62.3
2007 55.1 63.5
2006 55.8 63.3
2005 56.6 62.5
2004 58 63.7
2003 58.9 65.8
2002 58.8 69.1
2001 56.7 68.9
2000 55.7 66.6
1999 55 66.9
1998 54.5 67.3
1997 54 66.1
1996 49.4 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Thailand
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
21.6%
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/thailand | 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 (1948–2001, 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)

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.