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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Uganda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 122/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $27.8B (51.5% of GDP) in Uganda.

Burkina Faso vs Uganda GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Uganda
2024 $23,124,729,853 $53,911,907,086
2023 $20,112,614,449 $48,768,955,863
2022 $18,622,421,395 $45,565,333,211
2021 $19,697,516,284 $40,529,788,749
2020 $17,725,010,533 $37,600,368,242
2019 $16,032,813,503 $35,353,061,003
2018 $15,890,066,221 $32,927,025,620
2017 $14,106,955,615 $30,744,473,841
2016 $12,833,363,045 $29,203,988,696
2015 $11,832,159,316 $32,387,183,730
2014 $13,943,016,077 $32,612,397,257
2013 $13,444,300,486 $28,915,786,517
2012 $12,561,015,157 $27,305,915,911
2011 $12,080,295,978 $27,871,725,241
2010 $10,109,619,741 $26,673,441,431
2009 $9,450,696,873 $25,127,805,567
2008 $9,451,435,490 $14,440,404,132
2007 $7,625,722,837 $11,902,564,495
2006 $6,547,419,820 $9,977,647,683
2005 $6,146,353,173 $9,239,221,763
2004 $5,451,688,538 $7,939,487,548
2003 $4,740,768,143 $6,606,884,275
2002 $3,622,350,063 $6,178,563,591
2001 $3,190,371,081 $5,840,503,869
2000 $2,968,370,088 $6,193,246,837
1999 $3,389,566,713 $5,998,563,258
1998 $2,804,902,367 $6,584,815,847
1997 $2,447,669,102 $6,269,333,313
1996 $2,586,550,595 $6,044,585,327
1995 $2,379,517,975 $5,755,818,842
1994 $1,895,290,637 $3,990,430,447
1993 $3,199,536,465 $3,220,439,044
1992 $3,356,692,505 $2,857,457,762
1991 $3,135,045,584 $3,321,729,160
1990 $3,101,300,779 $4,304,399,310
1989 $2,615,587,734 $5,276,480,799
1988 $2,616,040,479 $6,508,931,652
1987 $2,369,834,950 $6,269,522,042
1986 $2,036,303,358 $3,923,244,050
1985 $1,552,493,196 $3,519,695,444
1984 $1,459,880,132 $3,615,647,477
1983 $1,600,278,605 $2,240,333,333
1982 $1,754,450,096 $2,177,500,000
1981 $1,775,842,334 $1,337,300,000
1980 $1,928,719,888 $1,244,610,000
1979 $1,748,480,621 $2,139,025,000
1978 $1,475,583,645 $2,420,260,870
1977 $1,131,224,878 $2,936,470,588
1976 $976,547,188 $2,447,300,000
1975 $939,972,703 $2,359,555,556
1974 $751,133,430 $2,098,944,967
1973 $674,773,570 $1,701,829,789
1972 $578,595,522 $1,490,970,181
1971 $482,411,179 $1,417,191,656
1970 $458,404,269 $1,259,554,809
1969 $478,298,645 $1,168,556,629
1968 $460,442,689 $1,037,379,252
1967 $450,753,924 $967,240,655
1966 $433,889,766 $925,381,492
1965 $422,916,790 $884,502,310
1964 $410,321,645 $589,247,687
1963 $394,040,667 $516,315,231
1962 $379,567,099 $449,158,233
1961 $350,247,234 $441,667,335
1960 $330,442,816 $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Uganda by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $873 $2,759 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $827 $2,645 $963 $2,919
2021 $896 $2,486 $883 $2,685
2020 $825 $2,381 $846 $2,532
2019 $765 $2,232 $822 $2,441
2018 $777 $2,073 $792 $2,312
2017 $709 $2,042 $765 $2,158
2016 $664 $1,882 $753 $2,165
2015 $630 $1,692 $863 $2,190
2014 $765 $1,661 $896 $2,134
2013 $760 $1,643 $818 $2,045
2012 $731 $1,572 $795 $2,032
2011 $725 $1,531 $836 $2,268
2010 $625 $1,449 $823 $2,092
2009 $602 $1,360 $799 $2,015
2008 $619 $1,351 $473 $1,931
2007 $515 $1,290 $401 $1,795
2006 $456 $1,244 $347 $1,660
2005 $441 $1,172 $330 $1,497
2004 $404 $1,079 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $362 $1,038 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $285.7 $974 $242 $1,255
2001 $259.5 $948 $236 $1,173
2000 $248.9 $896 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $292.8 $886 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $249.5 $838 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $223.9 $794 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $242.7 $753 $284.7 $969
1995 $229.1 $684 $278.5 $897
1994 $187.2 $650 $198.4 $809
1993 $324 $644 $165.6 $770
1992 $349 $623 $152.1 $719
1991 $334 $623 $183 $703
1990 $339 $567 $245 $666
1989 $293.2 - $310 -
1988 $301 - $395 -
1987 $280.2 - $393 -
1986 $247.5 - $253.6 -
1985 $194.1 - $234.3 -
1984 $187.8 - $247.5 -
1983 $211.9 - $157.5 -
1982 $239 - $157 -
1981 $248.7 - $98.6 -
1980 $277.6 - $93.8 -
1979 $258.5 - $164.5 -
1978 $223.9 - $190.7 -
1977 $176 - $237.6 -
1976 $155.5 - $203.3 -
1975 $152.9 - $201.2 -
1974 $124.7 - $183.7 -
1973 $114.1 - $152.7 -
1972 $99.6 - $137 -
1971 $84.5 - $133.5 -
1970 $81.7 - $122 -
1969 $86.8 - $116.7 -
1968 $85 - $106.9 -
1967 $84.6 - $102.8 -
1966 $82.8 - $101.4 -
1965 $82.1 - $100 -
1964 $80.9 - $68.6 -
1963 $78.9 - $62 -
1962 $77.2 - $55.5 -
1961 $72.2 - $56.2 -
1960 $69.2 - $55.4 -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Uganda
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2024
89/197
2024
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
176/197
2024
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$1,466
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
3.42%
2021
Population
24756783
53170946

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Uganda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Uganda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 18.7% 51.5%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 19.3% 50.5%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 19.5% 50.2%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 22% 50.3%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 21.4% 46.3%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 18.3% 37.5%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 16.2% 34.9%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 16.3% 33.6%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 15.2% 31.3%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 14.9% 28%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 13.6% 24.8%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 13.3% 22.1%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 13.1% 19.5%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 13.2% 18%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 15.4% 18.4%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 11.8% 14.8%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 12.9% 15.7%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 13.2% 17%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 13.7% 27.8%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 14.5% 42.6%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 15.6% 49%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 16.5% 55.1%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 16.8% 54.7%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 16.2% 51.4%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 15.2% 48.5%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 14.7% 47.7%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 14% 45.1%
1997 20% 48.4% 13.9% 44.2%
1996 19.8% 45.8% - -
1995 19.4% 48.9% - -
1994 17.8% 55.1% - -
1993 17.9% 33.6% - -
1992 16.7% 29.6% - -
1991 17% 28.7% - -
1990 18.4% 25.6% - -
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/uganda | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Uganda spent $10.1B, or 18.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 51.5% in Uganda, ranking 89/185 and 103/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Uganda
2024 -5.84% -3.99%
2023 -6.91% -4.87%
2022 -10.9% -5.45%
2021 -7.45% -7.76%
2020 -5.16% -7.76%
2019 -3.39% -4.82%
2018 -4.43% -3.02%
2017 -6.92% -3.83%
2016 -3.08% -2.64%
2015 -2.09% -2.59%
2014 -1.74% -2.74%
2013 -3.55% -3.19%
2012 -2.76% -2.39%
2011 -2.04% -2.04%
2010 -4.06% -4.64%
2009 -4.16% -1.61%
2008 -3.63% -1.99%
2007 -5.01% -0.82%
2006 14.3% -0.64%
2005 -4.89% -0.17%
2004 -4.19% 0.34%
2003 -1.79% -0.97%
2002 -4.43% -2.07%
2001 -3.56% -0.99%
2000 -3.03% -0.62%
1999 -3.29% -1.24%
1998 -2.6% -0.7%
1997 -2.64% -0.83%
1996 -1.67% -
1995 -2.65% -
1994 -1.89% -
1993 -3.81% -
1992 -2.51% -
1991 -2.77% -
1990 -7.54% -
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/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.15B, or 3.99% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Uganda ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Uganda
2024 4.19% 3.3%
2023 0.74% 5.4%
2022 14.3% 7.2%
2021 3.65% 2.2%
2020 1.88% 2.8%
2019 -3.23% 2.1%
2018 1.96% 2.5%
2017 1.48% 5.6%
2016 0.44% 5.2%
2015 0.72% 3.7%
2014 -0.26% 4.3%
2013 0.53% 5.5%
2012 3.82% 14%
2011 2.76% 18.7%
2010 -0.76% 4%
2009 2.61% 13%
2008 10.7% 12%
2007 -0.23% 6.1%
2006 2.33% 7.2%
2005 6.42% 8.6%
2004 -0.4% 3.7%
2003 2.03% 8.7%
2002 2.18% -0.3%
2001 5.01% 1.9%
2000 -0.3% 3.4%
1999 -1.07% 5.8%
1998 5.08% 5.8%
1997 2.32% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 6.08% in Uganda. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 3.3% in Uganda.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $102K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Metals $9K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Uganda
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $147K
Raw materials & minerals $40K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Metals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Uganda
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$621M
2023
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Uganda
Economic freedom 49.1 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 149/197
Property rights 17.6 42.2
Government integrity 40.2 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 29.4
Tax burden 80.8 73.4
Government spending 72.9 89
Fiscal health 13.4 58.3
Business freedom 37.8 50.2
Labor freedom 62.1 55.9
Monetary freedom 71.9 77.1
Trade freedom 61 58
Investment freedom 65 30
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Uganda
2026 49.1 52.4
2025 51 51.3
2024 51.9 50.7
2023 56.2 51.4
2022 58.3 54.2
2021 56.5 58.6
2020 56.7 59.5
2019 59.4 59.7
2018 60 62
2017 59.6 60.9
2016 59.1 59.3
2015 58.6 59.7
2014 58.9 59.9
2013 59.9 61.1
2012 60.6 61.9
2011 60.6 61.7
2010 59.4 62.2
2009 59.5 63.5
2008 55.7 63.8
2007 55.1 63.1
2006 55.8 63.9
2005 56.6 62.9
2004 58 64.1
2003 58.9 60.1
2002 58.8 61
2001 56.7 60.4
2000 55.7 58.2
1999 55 64.8
1998 54.5 64.7
1997 54 66.6
1996 49.4 66.2
1995 - 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Uganda
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking n/a
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
22.4%
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/uganda | 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 (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.