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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $23.1B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 122/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $13.2B in government debt (57.2% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Burkina Faso vs Yemen GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Yemen
2024 $23,124,729,853 -
2023 $20,112,614,449 -
2022 $18,622,421,395 -
2021 $19,697,516,284 -
2020 $17,725,010,533 -
2019 $16,032,813,503 -
2018 $15,890,066,221 $21,606,160,663
2017 $14,106,955,615 $26,842,229,045
2016 $12,833,363,045 $31,317,825,274
2015 $11,832,159,316 $42,444,490,074
2014 $13,943,016,077 $43,228,585,321
2013 $13,444,300,486 $40,415,233,436
2012 $12,561,015,157 $35,401,331,610
2011 $12,080,295,978 $32,726,417,878
2010 $10,109,619,741 $30,906,749,533
2009 $9,450,696,873 $25,130,278,213
2008 $9,451,435,490 $26,910,855,807
2007 $7,625,722,837 $21,650,528,674
2006 $6,547,419,820 $19,063,143,370
2005 $6,146,353,173 $16,731,566,717
2004 $5,451,688,538 $13,867,634,371
2003 $4,740,768,143 $11,777,532,662
2002 $3,622,350,063 $10,693,430,511
2001 $3,190,371,081 $9,852,990,693
2000 $2,968,370,088 $9,679,316,770
1999 $3,389,566,713 $7,639,325,296
1998 $2,804,902,367 $6,322,175,566
1997 $2,447,669,102 $6,838,298,531
1996 $2,586,550,595 $6,496,163,616
1995 $2,379,517,975 $12,796,345,679
1994 $1,895,290,637 $28,019,483,764
1993 $3,199,536,465 $21,736,802,664
1992 $3,356,692,505 $17,959,367,194
1991 $3,135,045,584 $14,665,445,462
1990 $3,101,300,779 $12,643,821,569
1989 $2,615,587,734 -
1988 $2,616,040,479 -
1987 $2,369,834,950 -
1986 $2,036,303,358 -
1985 $1,552,493,196 -
1984 $1,459,880,132 -
1983 $1,600,278,605 -
1982 $1,754,450,096 -
1981 $1,775,842,334 -
1980 $1,928,719,888 -
1979 $1,748,480,621 -
1978 $1,475,583,645 -
1977 $1,131,224,878 -
1976 $976,547,188 -
1975 $939,972,703 -
1974 $751,133,430 -
1973 $674,773,570 -
1972 $578,595,522 -
1971 $482,411,179 -
1970 $458,404,269 -
1969 $478,298,645 -
1968 $460,442,689 -
1967 $450,753,924 -
1966 $433,889,766 -
1965 $422,916,790 -
1964 $410,321,645 -
1963 $394,040,667 -
1962 $379,567,099 -
1961 $350,247,234 -
1960 $330,442,816 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Yemen by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $982 $2,896 - -
2023 $873 $2,759 - -
2022 $827 $2,645 - -
2021 $896 $2,486 - -
2020 $825 $2,381 - -
2019 $765 $2,232 - -
2018 $777 $2,073 $634 -
2017 $709 $2,042 $811 -
2016 $664 $1,882 $975 -
2015 $630 $1,692 $1,362 -
2014 $765 $1,661 $1,430 -
2013 $760 $1,643 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $731 $1,572 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $725 $1,531 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $625 $1,449 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $602 $1,360 $969 $3,411
2008 $619 $1,351 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $515 $1,290 $890 $3,294
2006 $456 $1,244 $810 $3,205
2005 $441 $1,172 $734 $3,113
2004 $404 $1,079 $628 $2,949
2003 $362 $1,038 $549 $2,844
2002 $285.7 $974 $513 $2,768
2001 $259.5 $948 $487 $2,702
2000 $248.9 $896 $493 $2,624
1999 $292.8 $886 $401 $2,492
1998 $249.5 $838 $343 $2,442
1997 $223.9 $794 $383 $2,351
1996 $242.7 $753 $375 $2,268
1995 $229.1 $684 $764 $2,201
1994 $187.2 $650 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $324 $644 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $349 $623 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $334 $623 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $339 $567 $910 $1,742
1989 $293.2 - - -
1988 $301 - - -
1987 $280.2 - - -
1986 $247.5 - - -
1985 $194.1 - - -
1984 $187.8 - - -
1983 $211.9 - - -
1982 $239 - - -
1981 $248.7 - - -
1980 $277.6 - - -
1979 $258.5 - - -
1978 $223.9 - - -
1977 $176 - - -
1976 $155.5 - - -
1975 $152.9 - - -
1974 $124.7 - - -
1973 $114.1 - - -
1972 $99.6 - - -
1971 $84.5 - - -
1970 $81.7 - - -
1969 $86.8 - - -
1968 $85 - - -
1967 $84.6 - - -
1966 $82.8 - - -
1965 $82.1 - - -
1964 $80.9 - - -
1963 $78.9 - - -
1962 $77.2 - - -
1961 $72.2 - - -
1960 $69.2 - - -

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

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $982, ranking 180/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Yemen
Gross domestic product
$23.1B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
122/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
4.8%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$982
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
180/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$13.2B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.2%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$562
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
162/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,710
2026
$1,127
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.8%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.19%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.44%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
24756783
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.8% 57.2% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 10.6% 87%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 20.3% 40.7% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 17.6% 39.7% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 19.5% 43.3% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 19.7% 46.6% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 19.8% 47.5% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 21.4% 46.4% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 19.7% 47.7% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 20% 48.4% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 19.8% 45.8% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 19.4% 48.9% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 17.8% 55.1% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 17.9% 33.6% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 16.7% 29.6% 24.6% 78%
1991 17% 28.7% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 18.4% 25.6% 26.6% 91.6%
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/yemen | CC BY

In 2024, Burkina Faso's government spending was $6.43B, accounting for 27.8% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.2% in Burkina Faso and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 89/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Yemen
2024 -5.84% -2.48%
2023 -6.91% -5.63%
2022 -10.9% -2.15%
2021 -7.45% -0.89%
2020 -5.16% -4.3%
2019 -3.39% -5.89%
2018 -4.43% -7.85%
2017 -6.92% -4.9%
2016 -3.08% -8.51%
2015 -2.09% -8.75%
2014 -1.74% -4.14%
2013 -3.55% -6.9%
2012 -2.76% -6.32%
2011 -2.04% -4.51%
2010 -4.06% -4.06%
2009 -4.16% -10.2%
2008 -3.63% -4.53%
2007 -5.01% -7.18%
2006 14.3% 1.19%
2005 -4.89% -1.82%
2004 -4.19% -2.15%
2003 -1.79% -4.2%
2002 -4.43% -0.56%
2001 -3.56% 2.79%
2000 -3.03% 6.09%
1999 -3.29% 0.06%
1998 -2.6% -7.77%
1997 -2.64% -1.5%
1996 -1.67% -0.92%
1995 -2.65% -5.74%
1994 -1.89% -14%
1993 -3.81% -12.8%
1992 -2.51% -10.9%
1991 -2.77% -5.76%
1990 -7.54% -10.3%
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/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Burkina Faso's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $705M, equivalent to 4.43% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 2.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Yemen
2024 4.19% 33.9%
2023 0.74% 0.9%
2022 14.3% 29.5%
2021 3.65% 31.5%
2020 1.88% 21.7%
2019 -3.23% 15.7%
2018 1.96% 33.6%
2017 1.48% 30.4%
2016 0.44% 21.3%
2015 0.72% 22%
2014 -0.26% 8.2%
2013 0.53% 11%
2012 3.82% 9.9%
2011 2.76% 19.5%
2010 -0.76% 11.2%
2009 2.61% 3.7%
2008 10.7% 19%
2007 -0.23% 7.9%
2006 2.33% 10.8%
2005 6.42% 9.9%
2004 -0.4% 12.5%
2003 2.03% 10.8%
2002 2.18% 12.2%
2001 5.01% 11.9%
2000 -0.3% 11%
1999 -1.07% 7.9%
1998 5.08% 11.5%
1997 2.32% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 4.19% in Burkina Faso and 33.9% in Yemen.

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Yemen
Current account balance
-$1.02B
2023
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
122/190
2023
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.06%
2023
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$5.38B
2023
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$5.29B
2023
$473M
2016
Service imports
$1.45B
2023
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$621M
2023
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.9%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Yemen
Economic freedom 49.1 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 138/197
Property rights 17.6 3.5
Government integrity 40.2 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 9.9
Tax burden 80.8 93.7
Government spending 72.9 0
Fiscal health 13.4 71.2
Business freedom 37.8 31.3
Labor freedom 62.1 31.2
Monetary freedom 71.9 48.1
Trade freedom 61 67.4
Investment freedom 65 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Yemen
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 53.7
2014 58.9 55.5
2013 59.9 55.9
2012 60.6 55.3
2011 60.6 54.2
2010 59.4 54.4
2009 59.5 56.9
2008 55.7 53.8
2007 55.1 54.1
2006 55.8 52.6
2005 56.6 53.8
2004 58 50.5
2003 58.9 50.3
2002 58.8 48.6
2001 56.7 44.3
2000 55.7 44.5
1999 55 43.3
1998 54.5 46.1
1997 54 48.4
1996 49.4 49.6
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Yemen
Services, % of GDP
43.9%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$20.1B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,720
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking n/a
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$64.3M
2023
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$82.9M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.73M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.07%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.