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Economy of Burundi vs Cameroon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $53.3B for Cameroon, ranking 169/197 and 91/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (42.8% of GDP) in Cameroon.

Burundi vs Cameroon GDP by year

Burundi
Cameroon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Cameroon
2024 $3,082,433,067 $53,296,694,320
2023 $3,430,949,250 $48,814,501,547
2022 $4,036,192,553 $44,347,206,073
2021 $3,435,598,073 $45,011,937,347
2020 $3,227,847,281 $40,773,241,177
2019 $2,871,555,326 $39,667,757,528
2018 $2,913,411,408 $39,955,552,190
2017 $2,831,362,208 $36,098,547,033
2016 $2,618,093,125 $33,814,337,044
2015 $2,810,532,912 $32,210,233,020
2014 $2,705,826,648 $36,386,544,706
2013 $2,451,624,638 $33,728,621,180
2012 $2,327,402,363 $30,155,062,329
2011 $2,235,812,880 $30,630,910,495
2010 $2,032,135,192 $27,507,501,821
2009 $1,775,495,032 $27,932,970,317
2008 $1,611,835,857 $27,715,142,033
2007 $1,356,199,387 $23,928,250,433
2006 $1,273,375,078 $20,910,512,975
2005 $1,117,113,080 $19,509,852,207
2004 $915,257,323 $18,826,214,136
2003 $784,654,424 $15,970,315,035
2002 $825,394,519 $12,417,251,350
2001 $876,794,723 $10,953,485,349
2000 $870,486,066 $10,566,579,295
1999 $808,077,223 $11,565,826,465
1998 $893,770,740 $11,298,144,990
1997 $972,896,268 $10,789,458,433
1996 $869,033,856 $11,093,538,846
1995 $1,000,428,394 $10,864,772,471
1994 $925,030,590 $8,902,446,252
1993 $938,632,612 $16,181,814,713
1992 $1,083,037,671 $12,071,775,335
1991 $1,167,398,478 $11,840,192,296
1990 $1,132,101,253 $12,314,482,628
1989 $1,113,924,130 $11,012,566,195
1988 $1,082,403,219 $12,236,057,362
1987 $1,131,466,494 $13,049,659,981
1986 $1,201,725,497 $11,857,056,199
1985 $1,149,979,286 $8,544,810,498
1984 $987,143,931 $7,311,938,026
1983 $1,082,926,304 $6,870,200,010
1982 $1,013,222,222 $6,611,255,964
1981 $969,046,667 $6,610,938,617
1980 $919,726,667 $6,674,569,047
1979 $782,496,667 $5,919,002,983
1978 $610,225,556 $4,662,852,583
1977 $547,535,556 $3,394,664,024
1976 $448,412,754 $2,898,090,002
1975 $420,986,667 $2,857,037,371
1974 $345,263,492 $2,157,415,533
1973 $304,339,524 $1,901,393,361
1972 $246,804,571 $1,498,251,890
1971 $252,842,286 $1,236,941,394
1970 $242,732,571 $1,151,216,993
1969 $190,205,714 $1,100,551,489
1968 $183,200,000 $1,046,191,218
1967 $178,297,143 $936,175,260
1966 $165,444,571 $851,112,535
1965 $158,994,963 $814,083,266
1964 $260,750,008 $776,650,177
1963 $232,749,998 $718,320,845
1962 $213,500,006 $694,247,864
1961 $202,999,992 $652,777,608
1960 $195,999,990 $614,206,068

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/cameroon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Cameroon by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Cameroon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $1,830 $5,589
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $1,720 $5,411
2022 $303 $1,105 $1,605 $5,189
2021 $265 $1,036 $1,672 $4,794
2020 $255.8 $958 $1,556 $4,365
2019 $234.3 $868 $1,555 $4,241
2018 $245.7 $823 $1,611 $4,011
2017 $246.1 $791 $1,496 $3,767
2016 $232.9 $764 $1,442 $3,627
2015 $254.4 $722 $1,415 $3,498
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,649 $3,422
2013 $234.8 $687 $1,576 $3,239
2012 $231.1 $637 $1,449 $3,060
2011 $230.1 $629 $1,514 $2,989
2010 $216.7 $614 $1,399 $2,914
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,461 $2,879
2008 $189.5 $609 $1,492 $2,870
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,326 $2,818
2006 $161.9 $580 $1,191 $2,704
2005 $147.2 $553 $1,143 $2,598
2004 $125.2 $552 $1,133 $2,533
2003 $111.4 $532 $988 $2,368
2002 $121 $545 $790 $2,263
2001 $132.2 $528 $715 $2,191
2000 $134.5 $519 $709 $2,108
1999 $127.5 $523 $796 $2,039
1998 $144.5 $533 $799 $1,975
1997 $160.3 $513 $783 $1,915
1996 $143.2 $513 $827 $1,850
1995 $164.9 $548 $832 $1,790
1994 $161.9 $619 $701 $1,752
1993 $165.3 $634 $1,310 $1,731
1992 $184.9 $640 $1,005 $1,890
1991 $204.7 $636 $1,015 $1,963
1990 $202.6 $598 $1,087 $2,032
1989 $203.6 - $1,001 -
1988 $201.7 - $1,145 -
1987 $215.6 - $1,258 -
1986 $234.3 - $1,179 -
1985 $228.4 - $875 -
1984 $200.4 - $772 -
1983 $225.2 - $746 -
1982 $216.4 - $732 -
1981 $212.2 - $750 -
1980 $209.8 - $784 -
1979 $186.2 - $718 -
1978 $148.8 - $582 -
1977 $137.4 - $435 -
1976 $115.5 - $381 -
1975 $110.9 - $386 -
1974 $93.2 - $299.9 -
1973 $84.3 - $271.8 -
1972 $68.2 - $220.1 -
1971 $69.9 - $186.7 -
1970 $68.8 - $178.5 -
1969 $55.1 - $175.2 -
1968 $54.2 - $170.8 -
1967 $54 - $156.6 -
1966 $51.4 - $145.8 -
1965 $50.6 - $142.7 -
1964 $85.3 - $139.2 -
1963 $78.4 - $131.6 -
1962 $73.4 - $130 -
1961 $71.6 - $124.6 -
1960 $70.9 - $119.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/cameroon | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $1,830 in Cameroon, ranking 158/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589.

Economic indicators

Burundi Cameroon
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$53.3B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
91/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$1,830
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
158/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$5,589
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
156/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$22.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$784
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
152/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$1,578
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
31.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
4.53%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
3.28%
2021
Population
14833763
30864115

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Cameroon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Cameroon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 16.7% 42.8%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 17.1% 43.1%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 17.1% 45.6%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 17.1% 47.2%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 16.6% 44.9%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 18.7% 41.6%
2018 26% 53% 18% 38.3%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 19.2% 36.5%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 20.2% 32.1%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 20.1% 31.6%
2014 28.5% 38% 20.1% 20.7%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 19.2% 17.5%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 17.2% 14.9%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 17.8% 15.9%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 15.2% 14%
2009 38% 25.7% 14.7% 11.3%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 15.9% 11.2%
2007 39% 129.6% 13.5% 13.8%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 12.5% 18.4%
2005 33.1% 137% 12.4% 43.8%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 13.4% 51.7%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 13.2% 51.5%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 13.9% 56.6%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 14.6% 62.2%
2000 21.7% 120% 14.6% 75.9%
1999 20.5% 140.6% - 68.4%
1998 19.9% 138.9% - 67.8%
1997 18.8% 122.8% - -
1996 24.4% 139.4% - -
1995 22.1% 117.1% - -
1994 19.4% 119.6% - -
1993 24% 112% - -
1992 26.1% 93.5% - -
1991 19.2% - - -
1990 17.4% - - -

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/cameroon | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Cameroon spent $8.91B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 42.8% in Cameroon, ranking 101/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Cameroon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Cameroon
2024 -4.84% -1.48%
2023 -7.7% -0.63%
2022 -10.7% -1.11%
2021 -4.6% -3.01%
2020 -6.58% -3.19%
2019 -6.4% -3.24%
2018 -6.66% -2.41%
2017 -5.01% -4.72%
2016 -7.11% -5.88%
2015 -7.56% -4.25%
2014 -3.93% -4.09%
2013 -1.9% -3.55%
2012 -3.79% -1.4%
2011 -3.49% -2.26%
2010 -3.64% -0.93%
2009 -5.14% -0.04%
2008 -2.7% 2%
2007 -2.51% 3.87%
2006 -9.92% 28.2%
2005 -10.6% 3.03%
2004 -14.9% -0.46%
2003 -13.7% 0.56%
2002 -4.9% 1.51%
2001 -7.78% 0.86%
2000 -5.66% 1.54%
1999 -5.33% -
1998 -4.43% -
1997 -4.48% -
1996 -8.61% -
1995 -3.72% -
1994 -1.76% -
1993 -1.22% -
1992 -4.16% -
1991 4.14% -
1990 8.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/cameroon | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $149M, equivalent to 4.84% of GDP. This compares to Cameroon's deficit of $789M, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Cameroon ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.04% of GDP for Cameroon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Cameroon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Cameroon
2024 20.2% 4.53%
2023 26.9% 7.38%
2022 18.8% 6.25%
2021 8.4% 2.27%
2020 7.32% 2.44%
2019 -0.69% 2.45%
2018 -2.81% 1.07%
2017 16.1% 0.64%
2016 5.56% 0.87%
2015 5.54% 2.68%
2014 4.41% 1.85%
2013 7.94% 2.05%
2012 18.2% 2.74%
2011 9.59% 2.94%
2010 6.49% 1.28%
2009 10.6% 3.04%
2008 24.4% 5.34%
2007 8.41% 0.92%
2006 2.75% 5.12%
2005 13.3% 2.01%
2004 8.18% 0.23%
2003 10.6% 0.62%
2002 -1.37% 2.83%
2001 9.3% 4.42%
2000 24.4% 1.23%
1999 3.39% 1.87%
1998 12.5% 3.17%
1997 31.1% 4.79%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/cameroon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 2.75% in Cameroon. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 4.53% in Cameroon.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $98K
Miscellaneous $42K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Metals $1K
Cameroon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $95K
Chemicals & pharma $77K
Metals $16K
Raw agricultural goods $4K

Balance of trade

Burundi Cameroon
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$2.02B
2023
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
144/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-4.14%
2023
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$7.74B
2023
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$6.34B
2023
Service imports
$361M
2024
$2.55B
2023
Service exports
$121M
2024
$2.01B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
18.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
15.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Cameroon
Economic freedom 40.2 52
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 151/197
Property rights 27.2 28.1
Government integrity 15.5 21
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 10.1
Tax burden 76.1 72.2
Government spending 76.3 91.4
Fiscal health 14.6 94.5
Business freedom 27.2 48.6
Labor freedom 49.9 45.6
Monetary freedom 55.5 75.3
Trade freedom 52.2 57.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Cameroon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Cameroon
2026 40.2 52
2025 39.7 52.1
2024 38.4 53.6
2023 41.9 51.9
2022 39.4 52.9
2021 49.9 53.4
2020 49 53.6
2019 48.9 52.4
2018 50.9 51.9
2017 53.2 51.8
2016 53.9 54.2
2015 53.7 51.9
2014 51.4 52.6
2013 49 52.3
2012 48.1 51.8
2011 49.6 51.8
2010 47.5 52.3
2009 48.8 53
2008 46.2 54.3
2007 46.9 55.6
2006 48.7 54.6
2005 - 53
2004 - 52.3
2003 - 52.7
2002 - 52.8
2001 - 53.3
2000 42.6 49.9
1999 41.1 50.3
1998 44.7 48
1997 45.4 44.6
1996 - 45.7
1995 - 51.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/cameroon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 52 for Cameroon, ranking 151/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Cameroon
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
18.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$49.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$5,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$4.88B
2023
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
103/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$901M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$888M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$63.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
3.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
37.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
18.9%
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/burundi/cameroon | 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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)

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.