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Burundi economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi ranked 169/197 by economy size with a GDP of $3.08B and 197/197 by GDP per capita at $219.4. Burundi has $1.6B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 52%.

In 2024, Burundi made up 0.003% of the world's economy, compared to 0.01% in 1960.

Burundi GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Inflation-adjusted growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $3,082,433,067 4.11%
2023 $3,430,949,250 3.25%
2022 $4,036,192,553 2.32%
2021 $3,435,598,073 3.24%
2020 $3,227,847,281 0.31%
2019 $2,871,555,326 4.46%
2018 $2,913,411,408 5.34%
2017 $2,831,362,208 3.83%
2016 $2,618,093,125 3.2%
2015 $2,810,532,912 -0.4%
2014 $2,705,826,648 4.24%
2013 $2,451,624,638 4.92%
2012 $2,327,402,363 4.42%
2011 $2,235,812,880 4.02%
2010 $2,032,135,192 5.09%
2009 $1,775,495,032 3.79%
2008 $1,611,835,857 4.91%
2007 $1,356,199,387 3.44%
2006 $1,273,375,078 5.41%
2005 $1,117,113,080 0.9%
2004 $915,257,323 4.83%
2003 $784,654,424 -1.22%
2002 $825,394,519 4.45%
2001 $876,794,723 2.06%
2000 $870,486,066 -0.86%
1999 $808,077,223 -1.01%
1998 $893,770,740 4.75%
1997 $972,896,268 -1.59%
1996 $869,033,856 -8%
1995 $1,000,428,394 -7.92%
1994 $925,030,590 -3.83%
1993 $938,632,612 -6.24%
1992 $1,083,037,671 1.01%
1991 $1,167,398,478 5%
1990 $1,132,101,253 3.5%
1989 $1,113,924,130 1.35%
1988 $1,082,403,219 5.03%
1987 $1,131,466,494 5.5%
1986 $1,201,725,497 3.25%
1985 $1,149,979,286 11.8%
1984 $987,143,931 0.16%
1983 $1,082,926,304 3.72%
1982 $1,013,222,222 -1.05%
1981 $969,046,667 12.2%
1980 $919,726,667 0.99%
1979 $782,496,667 1.66%
1978 $610,225,556 -0.94%
1977 $547,535,556 11.5%
1976 $448,412,754 7.94%
1975 $420,986,667 0.7%
1974 $345,263,492 -0.73%
1973 $304,339,524 6.89%
1972 $246,804,571 -6.4%
1971 $252,842,286 2.75%
1970 $242,732,571 21.3%
1969 $190,205,714 -1.46%
1968 $183,200,000 -0.3%
1967 $178,297,143 13.8%
1966 $165,444,571 4.61%
1965 $158,994,963 3.97%
1964 $260,750,008 6.27%
1963 $232,749,998 4.14%
1962 $213,500,006 9.06%
1961 $202,999,992 -13.7%
1960 $195,999,990 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi | CC BY

Burundi GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195
2023 $250.6 $1,150
2022 $303 $1,105
2021 $265 $1,036
2020 $255.8 $958
2019 $234.3 $868
2018 $245.7 $823
2017 $246.1 $791
2016 $232.9 $764
2015 $254.4 $722
2014 $250.5 $724
2013 $234.8 $687
2012 $231.1 $637
2011 $230.1 $629
2010 $216.7 $614
2009 $198.4 $605
2008 $189.5 $609
2007 $166.2 $594
2006 $161.9 $580
2005 $147.2 $553
2004 $125.2 $552
2003 $111.4 $532
2002 $121 $545
2001 $132.2 $528
2000 $134.5 $519
1999 $127.5 $523
1998 $144.5 $533
1997 $160.3 $513
1996 $143.2 $513
1995 $164.9 $548
1994 $161.9 $619
1993 $165.3 $634
1992 $184.9 $640
1991 $204.7 $636
1990 $202.6 $598
1989 $203.6 -
1988 $201.7 -
1987 $215.6 -
1986 $234.3 -
1985 $228.4 -
1984 $200.4 -
1983 $225.2 -
1982 $216.4 -
1981 $212.2 -
1980 $209.8 -
1979 $186.2 -
1978 $148.8 -
1977 $137.4 -
1976 $115.5 -
1975 $110.9 -
1974 $93.2 -
1973 $84.3 -
1972 $68.2 -
1971 $69.9 -
1970 $68.8 -
1969 $55.1 -
1968 $54.2 -
1967 $54 -
1966 $51.4 -
1965 $50.6 -
1964 $85.3 -
1963 $78.4 -
1962 $73.4 -
1961 $71.6 -
1960 $70.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi | CC BY

Burundi has a GDP per capita of $219.4, ranking 197/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $1,195, ranking 196/197, and a median annual after tax income of $1,228, ranking 188/197.

Burundi GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 161 182 178
2023 164 192 187
2022 160 192 187
2021 162 192 187
2020 161 193 187
2019 166 193 187
2018 167 194 187
2017 166 194 188
2016 166 194 188
2015 166 195 191
2014 167 195 190
2013 167 195 192
2012 169 195 191
2011 169 196 193
2010 168 196 192
2009 170 196 193
2008 171 195 193
2007 171 194 192
2006 169 194 192
2005 168 193 191
2004 171 193 191
2003 170 193 190
2002 168 192 189
2001 166 192 189
2000 166 192 188
1999 164 189 186
1998 160 188 181
1997 156 186 180
1996 158 186 178
1995 157 185 177
1994 151 180 174
1993 151 182 173
1992 147 175 173
1991 145 174 172
1990 145 173 171
1989 131 159 -
1988 132 162 -
1987 127 157 -
1986 120 148 -
1985 113 147 -
1984 122 148 -
1983 118 146 -
1982 120 145 -
1981 120 148 -
1980 121 147 -
1979 116 140 -
1978 117 142 -
1977 116 140 -
1976 119 141 -
1975 118 142 -
1974 115 136 -
1973 115 137 -
1972 115 138 -
1971 112 136 -
1970 112 136 -
1969 106 118 -
1968 107 119 -
1967 104 116 -
1966 102 115 -
1965 101 114 -
1964 91 102 -
1963 92 103 -
1962 90 103 -
1961 89 102 -
1960 88 99 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Burundi is ranked 161st out of 182 by GDP (up from 166th), 182nd by GDP per capita (up from 192nd), and 178th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 188th).

Economic indicators

Burundi Rank
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
169/197
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
59/194
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
197/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
196/197
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
163/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
101/185
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
184/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
188/197
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
61/169
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
67/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
138/195
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
20/195
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
190/196
Population
14833763
78/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 22.3% 52% -4.84%
2023 28.4% 58.1% -7.7%
2022 33.5% 68.5% -10.7%
2021 28.4% 66.5% -4.6%
2020 29.2% 65.9% -6.58%
2019 28.8% 60.1% -6.4%
2018 26% 53% -6.66%
2017 24.1% 46.9% -5.01%
2016 22.6% 46.1% -7.11%
2015 23.2% 39.9% -7.56%
2014 28.5% 38% -3.93%
2013 34.8% 37.9% -1.9%
2012 37.5% 41.4% -3.79%
2011 42.2% 42.7% -3.49%
2010 40.8% 46.9% -3.64%
2009 38% 25.7% -5.14%
2008 41.2% 102.5% -2.7%
2007 39% 129.6% -2.51%
2006 36.5% 130.3% -9.92%
2005 33.1% 137% -10.6%
2004 39.2% 166.1% -14.9%
2003 33.9% 159.9% -13.7%
2002 21.9% 144.8% -4.9%
2001 22.7% 113.6% -7.78%
2000 21.7% 120% -5.66%
1999 20.5% 140.6% -5.33%
1998 19.9% 138.9% -4.43%
1997 18.8% 122.8% -4.48%
1996 24.4% 139.4% -8.61%
1995 22.1% 117.1% -3.72%
1994 19.4% 119.6% -1.76%
1993 24% 112% -1.22%
1992 26.1% 93.5% -4.16%
1991 19.2% - 4.14%
1990 17.4% - 8.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi | CC BY

This chart shows Burundi's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $689M (22.3% of GDP), with a deficit of 4.84%.

The national debt reached $1.6B, ranking 163rd out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 52%, ranking 101st.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 20.2%
2023 26.9%
2022 18.8%
2021 8.4%
2020 7.32%
2019 -0.69%
2018 -2.81%
2017 16.1%
2016 5.56%
2015 5.54%
2014 4.41%
2013 7.94%
2012 18.2%
2011 9.59%
2010 6.49%
2009 10.6%
2008 24.4%
2007 8.41%
2006 2.75%
2005 13.3%
2004 8.18%
2003 10.6%
2002 -1.37%
2001 9.3%
2000 24.4%
1999 3.39%
1998 12.5%
1997 31.1%
1996 26.4%
1995 19.3%
1994 14.9%
1993 9.68%
1992 1.82%
1991 9%
1990 7%
1989 11.7%
1988 4.49%
1987 7.11%
1986 1.68%
1985 3.8%
1984 14.3%
1983 8.15%
1982 5.87%
1981 12.2%
1980 2.5%
1979 36.5%
1978 23.9%
1977 6.83%
1976 6.86%
1975 15.7%
1974 15.7%
1973 6.01%
1972 3.83%
1971 3.85%
1970 -0.2%
1969 4.02%
1968 6.06%
1967 -1.09%
1966 4.44%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Burundi has had an average annual inflation rate of 10.6%. In 2024, inflation was 20.2%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Burundi Rank
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
105/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
172/190
Goods imports
$959M
2024
166/189
Goods exports
$230M
2024
167/189
Service imports
$361M
2024
166/189
Service exports
$121M
2024
169/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
149/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
191/193

Burundi top 10 trading partners

Burundi's biggest trading partner accounting for 17.8% of all exports and imports is the United Arab Emirates, with a trade balance between the two of -$158M: Burundi exports $48.6M worth of goods and services to the United Arab Emirates and imports $207M.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Burundi.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 UAE $256M 17.8% $48.6M $207M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
2 China $213M 14.8% $9.56M $203M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
3 Tanzania $140M 9.72% $7.28M $132M Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
4 Saudi Arabia $114M 7.94% $61K $114M Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
5 India $108M 7.52% $716K $107M Chemicals & pharma Chemicals & pharma
6 DR Congo $72.2M 5.03% $49.2M $23.1M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Raw materials & minerals
7 Uganda $67.1M 4.67% $1.26M $65.8M Raw agricultural goods Processed food, beverages & tobacco
8 Kenya $51.1M 3.56% $2M $49.1M Raw agricultural goods Metals
9 Japan $43.5M 3.03% $257K $43.3M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
10 Belgium $40.4M 2.81% $6.03M $34.3M Raw agricultural goods Raw agricultural goods

Top 10 exports

Burundi Rank
Government & miscellaneous services $68.4M 87/180
Raw agricultural goods $59.9M 129/193
Precious metals & jewellery $32.4M 120/190
Business & finance services $30.5M 148/188
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $28.4M 149/192
Raw materials & minerals $27.2M 159/193
Machinery & equipment $11.9M 161/193
Metals $8.77M 155/192
Chemicals & pharma $8.5M 150/193
Textiles & consumer goods $6.11M 150/193

Top 10 imports

Burundi Rank
Raw materials & minerals $403M 153/193
Machinery & equipment $265M 168/193
Transport & tourism services $216M 161/188
Chemicals & pharma $135M 163/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $126M 169/193
Raw agricultural goods $99M 161/193
Metals $97.1M 163/193
Textiles & consumer goods $93.7M 165/193
Wood & paper products $33.1M 164/193
Business & finance services $24.5M 175/188

Economic freedom indices

Burundi Rank
Economic freedom 40.2 187/197
Property rights 27.2 149/182
Government integrity 15.5 166/182
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 170/182
Tax burden 76.1 113/182
Government spending 76.3 79/180
Fiscal health 14.6 159/181
Business freedom 27.2 179/182
Labor freedom 49.9 137/182
Monetary freedom 55.5 164/180
Trade freedom 52.2 167/181
Investment freedom 50 104/181
Financial freedom 30 133/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 40.2 7.5 76.1 76.3 14.6
2025 39.7 7.4 76.1 71.1 12.2
2024 38.4 7.1 76 67.6 10.7
2023 41.9 12.5 76 75.6 38.6
2022 39.4 7.1 77.1 76.4 10.3
2021 49.9 32.1 77.1 79.3 32.2
2020 49 26.9 73.7 85.8 13.2
2019 48.9 31 74 83.3 23.3
2018 50.9 21.7 71 78.6 54.8
2017 53.2 19.8 73.8 69.5 69.6
2016 53.9 - 73.8 70.5 -
2015 53.7 - 73.5 61.3 -
2014 51.4 - 73.5 51.9 -
2013 49 - 71.5 22.6 -
2012 48.1 - 72.2 22.9 -
2011 49.6 - 72.3 52 -
2010 47.5 - 72.2 42.7 -
2009 48.8 - 72.5 55.8 -
2008 46.2 - 72.1 59.4 -
2007 46.9 - 70.1 52.5 -
2006 48.7 - 70.1 62.6 -
2005 - - - - -
2004 - - - - -
2003 - - - - -
2002 - - - - -
2001 - - - - -
2000 42.6 - 44.8 83.3 -
1999 41.1 - 44.7 76.6 -
1998 44.7 - 43.7 79.6 -
1997 45.4 - 43.6 81.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi | CC BY

Burundi is ranked 168/174 for economic freedom with a score of 40.2, compared to 141/162 and a score of 48.7 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Rank
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
165/191
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
143/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
6/193
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
165/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
190/191
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
174/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
55/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
156/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
119/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
110/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
19/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
167/178

Compare Burundi vs other countries

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/burundi | 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 (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.