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Economy of Burkina Faso vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Burkina Faso has a GDP of $27.6B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 119/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burkina Faso has $14.4B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Burkina Faso vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Burkina Faso
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
2025 $27,627,297,461 $51,215,643,906
2024 $23,136,514,856 $41,521,975,830
2023 $20,106,062,972 $35,871,781,303
2022 $18,622,421,395 $40,757,585,309
2021 $19,697,516,284 $41,287,852,524
2020 $17,725,010,533 $31,979,753,645
2019 $16,032,813,503 $33,360,632,553
2018 $15,890,066,221 $34,141,666,667
2017 $14,106,955,615 $51,035,657,371
2016 $12,833,363,045 $20,559,250,000
2015 $11,832,159,316 $19,973,250,000
2014 $13,943,016,077 $19,505,500,000
2013 $13,444,300,486 $19,100,750,000
2012 $12,561,015,157 $17,123,500,000
2011 $12,080,295,978 $14,109,000,000
2010 $10,109,619,741 $12,047,750,000
2009 $9,450,696,873 $9,670,750,000
2008 $9,451,435,490 $4,418,000,000
2007 $7,625,722,837 $5,294,750,000
2006 $6,547,419,820 $5,446,750,000
2005 $6,146,353,173 $5,758,250,000
2004 $5,451,688,538 $5,808,500,000
2003 $4,740,768,143 $5,730,500,000
2002 $3,622,350,063 $6,345,250,000
2001 $3,190,371,081 $6,780,750,000
2000 $2,968,370,088 $6,693,250,000
1999 $3,389,566,713 $6,861,500,000
1998 $2,804,902,367 $6,405,250,000
1997 $2,447,669,102 $8,534,000,000
1996 $2,586,550,595 $8,557,500,000
1995 $2,379,517,975 $7,115,000,000
1994 $1,895,290,637 $6,894,250,000
1993 $3,199,536,465 $6,567,250,000
1992 $3,356,692,505 $6,755,000,000
1991 $3,135,045,584 $8,646,000,000
1990 $3,101,300,779 $8,788,301,546
1989 $2,615,587,734 $8,290,553,535
1988 $2,616,040,479 $7,818,774,177
1987 $2,369,834,950 $6,744,657,033
1986 $2,036,303,358 $6,220,698,247
1985 $1,552,493,196 $5,640,137,575
1984 $1,459,880,132 $6,355,369,172
1983 $1,600,278,605 $7,768,031,182
1982 $1,754,450,096 $8,544,060,905
1981 $1,775,842,334 $8,015,464,252
1980 $1,928,719,888 $6,682,278,300
1979 $1,748,480,621 $5,180,102,910
1978 $1,475,583,645 $4,353,822,343
1977 $1,131,224,878 $4,366,610,469
1976 $976,547,188 $4,320,576,877
1975 $939,972,703 $4,373,532,601
1974 $751,133,430 $3,984,194,614
1973 $674,773,570 $3,311,043,292
1972 $578,595,522 $2,679,096,597
1971 $482,411,179 $2,179,828,710
1970 $458,404,269 $1,885,168,339
1969 $478,298,645 $1,748,891,294
1968 $460,442,689 $1,480,355,355
1967 $450,753,924 $1,397,715,282
1966 $433,889,766 $1,282,403,936
1965 $422,916,790 $1,312,105,394
1964 $410,321,645 $1,217,759,447
1963 $394,040,667 $1,160,103,724
1962 $379,567,099 $1,118,172,226
1961 $350,247,234 $1,097,206,526
1960 $330,442,816 $1,053,528,036

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Burkina Faso vs Zimbabwe by year

Burkina Faso
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,148 - $3,021 -
2024 $982 $2,896 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $873 $2,759 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $827 $2,645 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $896 $2,486 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $825 $2,381 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $765 $2,232 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $777 $2,073 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $709 $2,042 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $664 $1,882 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $630 $1,692 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $765 $1,661 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $760 $1,643 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $731 $1,572 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $725 $1,531 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $625 $1,449 $902 $2,661
2009 $602 $1,360 $736 $2,233
2008 $619 $1,351 $341 $1,987
2007 $515 $1,290 $414 $2,396
2006 $456 $1,244 $431 $2,454
2005 $441 $1,172 $461 $2,496
2004 $404 $1,079 $470 $2,591
2003 $362 $1,038 $468 $2,708
2002 $285.7 $974 $525 $3,238
2001 $259.5 $948 $566 $3,533
2000 $248.9 $896 $563 $3,429
1999 $292.8 $886 $582 $3,491
1998 $249.5 $838 $552 $3,527
1997 $223.9 $794 $751 $3,457
1996 $242.7 $753 $767 $3,372
1995 $229.1 $684 $648 $3,051
1994 $187.2 $650 $634 $3,012
1993 $324 $644 $605 $2,703
1992 $349 $623 $631 $2,651
1991 $334 $623 $831 $2,930
1990 $339 $567 $867 $2,757
1989 $293.2 - $840 -
1988 $301 - $816 -
1987 $280.2 - $726 -
1986 $247.5 - $693 -
1985 $194.1 - $649 -
1984 $187.8 - $757 -
1983 $211.9 - $959 -
1982 $239 - $1,096 -
1981 $248.7 - $1,069 -
1980 $277.6 - $949 -
1979 $258.5 - $779 -
1978 $223.9 - $665 -
1977 $176 - $677 -
1976 $155.5 - $687 -
1975 $152.9 - $717 -
1974 $124.7 - $674 -
1973 $114.1 - $579 -
1972 $99.6 - $483 -
1971 $84.5 - $406 -
1970 $81.7 - $361 -
1969 $86.8 - $346 -
1968 $85 - $302 -
1967 $84.6 - $294.4 -
1966 $82.8 - $278.7 -
1965 $82.1 - $294.3 -
1964 $80.9 - $281.9 -
1963 $78.9 - $277.1 -
1962 $77.2 - $275.7 -
1961 $72.2 - $279.2 -
1960 $69.2 - $276.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Burkina Faso's GDP per capita is $1,148, ranking 176/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burkina Faso ranks 181st at $2,896, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$27.6B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
119/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
5.29%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,148
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
176/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,896
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
181/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$14.4B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$597
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
163/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,632
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.2%
2021
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2021
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.59%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
7.09%
2025
12.1%
2024
Population
24880655
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.1% 52% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 27.8% 57.2% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 29.4% 56.8% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 32.9% 59.2% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 27.8% 55.5% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 24.4% 43.6% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 23.3% 41.7% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 24.2% 38.1% 14.6% 33%
2017 26.3% 33.9% 21.1% 49%
2016 21.6% 32.9% 17% 35.1%
2015 20.4% 31.3% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 20.9% 26.1% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 25.3% 25.9% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 22.7% 25.2% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 20.4% 24.5% 16.5% 30%
2010 21.7% 23.7% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 21.5% 25.9% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 18.6% 24.9% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 22.8% 22.4% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 21.9% 20.1% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 20.2% 39.2% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 20.3% 40.7% - -
2003 17.6% 39.7% - -
2002 19.5% 43.3% - -
2001 19.7% 46.6% - -
2000 19.8% 47.5% - -
1999 21.4% 46.4% - -
1998 19.7% 47.7% - -
1997 20% 48.4% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burkina Faso's government spending was $7.21B, accounting for 26.1% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burkina Faso and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 100/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burkina Faso

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
2025 -3.54% 0.08%
2024 -5.84% -0.76%
2023 -6.91% -9.45%
2022 -10.9% -1%
2021 -7.45% -1.83%
2020 -5.16% 0.53%
2019 -3.39% -0.06%
2018 -4.43% -4.55%
2017 -6.92% -8.68%
2016 -3.08% -4.99%
2015 -2.09% -1.61%
2014 -1.74% -0.87%
2013 -3.55% -1.21%
2012 -2.76% -0.35%
2011 -2.04% -1.98%
2010 -4.06% -0.4%
2009 -4.16% -1.48%
2008 -3.63% -1.22%
2007 -5.01% -1.71%
2006 14.3% -1.46%
2005 -4.89% -3.58%
2004 -4.19% -
2003 -1.79% -
2002 -4.43% -
2001 -3.56% -
2000 -3.03% -
1999 -3.29% -
1998 -2.6% -
1997 -2.64% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burkina Faso's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $978M, equivalent to 3.54% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Burkina Faso recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Burkina Faso posted an annual deficit equal to 3.68% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burkina Faso

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
2025 -0.59% 81.4%
2024 4.19% 736%
2023 0.74% 667%
2022 14.3% 193.4%
2021 3.65% 98.5%
2020 1.88% 557%
2019 -3.23% 255.3%
2018 1.96% 10.6%
2017 1.48% 0.9%
2016 0.44% -1.6%
2015 0.72% -2.4%
2014 -0.26% -0.2%
2013 0.53% 1.6%
2012 3.82% 3.7%
2011 2.76% 3.5%
2010 -0.76% 3%
2009 2.61% 6.2%
2008 10.7% -
2007 -0.23% -
2006 2.33% -
2005 6.42% -
2004 -0.4% -
2003 2.03% -
2002 2.18% -
2001 5.01% -
2000 -0.3% -
1999 -1.07% -
1998 5.08% -
1997 2.32% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, Burkina Faso has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.01%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was -0.59% in Burkina Faso and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Burkina Faso
Export category Export value
Metals $20K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Wood & paper products $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$918M
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.97%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$5.82B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$6.12B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$1.47B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$630M
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
30%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35%
2025
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 49.1 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 167/197 190/197
Property rights 17.6 19.4
Government integrity 40.2 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 26.1 16.8
Tax burden 80.8 73.6
Government spending 72.9 93.9
Fiscal health 13.4 52.4
Business freedom 37.8 42
Labor freedom 62.1 33.3
Monetary freedom 71.9 0
Trade freedom 61 50.4
Investment freedom 65 10
Financial freedom 40 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burkina Faso
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
2026 49.1 35.2
2025 51 35.1
2024 51.9 38.2
2023 56.2 39
2022 58.3 33.1
2021 56.5 39.5
2020 56.7 43.1
2019 59.4 40.4
2018 60 44
2017 59.6 44
2016 59.1 38.2
2015 58.6 37.6
2014 58.9 35.5
2013 59.9 28.6
2012 60.6 26.3
2011 60.6 22.1
2010 59.4 21.4
2009 59.5 22.7
2008 55.7 29.5
2007 55.1 32
2006 55.8 33.5
2005 56.6 35.2
2004 58 34.4
2003 58.9 36.7
2002 58.8 36.7
2001 56.7 38.8
2000 55.7 48.7
1999 55 47.2
1998 54.5 44.6
1997 54 48
1996 49.4 46.7
1995 - 48.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burkina Faso is 49.1, ranking 167/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burkina Faso Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
30.1%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.9%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.6B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,890
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$259M
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$202M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$57M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.06%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
43.2%
2021
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.2%
2025
8.85%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–2001, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.