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Economy of Burundi vs Cape Verde compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $2.73B for Cape Verde, ranking 169/197 and 172/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $3.03B (111.2% of GDP) in Cape Verde.

Burundi vs Cape Verde GDP by year

Burundi
Cape Verde
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Cape Verde
2024 $3,082,433,067 $2,725,414,151
2023 $3,430,949,250 $2,504,525,549
2022 $4,036,192,553 $2,247,003,344
2021 $3,435,598,073 $2,051,842,619
2020 $3,227,847,281 $1,821,565,614
2019 $2,871,555,326 $2,252,177,124
2018 $2,913,411,408 $2,205,099,507
2017 $2,831,362,208 $1,996,741,540
2016 $2,618,093,125 $1,849,789,986
2015 $2,810,532,912 $1,749,857,620
2014 $2,705,826,648 $2,041,930,125
2013 $2,451,624,638 $2,028,910,915
2012 $2,327,402,363 $1,913,081,210
2011 $2,235,812,880 $2,046,817,987
2010 $2,032,135,192 $1,824,751,468
2009 $1,775,495,032 $1,852,334,575
2008 $1,611,835,857 $1,959,620,648
2007 $1,356,199,387 $1,649,621,739
2006 $1,273,375,078 $1,107,571,458
2005 $1,117,113,080 $972,241,677
2004 $915,257,323 $924,940,012
2003 $784,654,424 $813,260,469
2002 $825,394,519 $620,507,387
2001 $876,794,723 $563,090,490
2000 $870,486,066 $539,227,278
1999 $808,077,223 $592,416,703
1998 $893,770,740 $521,910,561
1997 $972,896,268 $490,608,658
1996 $869,033,856 $501,979,270
1995 $1,000,428,394 $487,148,994
1994 $925,030,590 $406,580,652
1993 $938,632,612 $490,417,390
1992 $1,083,037,671 $357,160,985
1991 $1,167,398,478 $319,827,059
1990 $1,132,101,253 $306,890,963
1989 $1,113,924,130 $267,448,571
1988 $1,082,403,219 $264,308,140
1987 $1,131,466,494 $235,253,065
1986 $1,201,725,497 $190,651,168
1985 $1,149,979,286 $137,728,205
1984 $987,143,931 $132,019,039
1983 $1,082,926,304 $138,476,176
1982 $1,013,222,222 $140,630,679
1981 $969,046,667 $139,468,209
1980 $919,726,667 $142,246,815
1979 $782,496,667 -
1978 $610,225,556 -
1977 $547,535,556 -
1976 $448,412,754 -
1975 $420,986,667 -
1974 $345,263,492 -
1973 $304,339,524 -
1972 $246,804,571 -
1971 $252,842,286 -
1970 $242,732,571 -
1969 $190,205,714 -
1968 $183,200,000 -
1967 $178,297,143 -
1966 $165,444,571 -
1965 $158,994,963 -
1964 $260,750,008 -
1963 $232,749,998 -
1962 $213,500,006 -
1961 $202,999,992 -
1960 $195,999,990 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/cape-verde | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Cape Verde by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Cape Verde
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $5,192 $11,195
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $4,795 $10,242
2022 $303 $1,105 $4,323 $9,481
2021 $265 $1,036 $3,971 $7,685
2020 $255.8 $958 $3,539 $6,853
2019 $234.3 $868 $4,381 $8,646
2018 $245.7 $823 $4,295 $7,916
2017 $246.1 $791 $3,893 $7,936
2016 $232.9 $764 $3,609 $7,351
2015 $254.4 $722 $3,415 $6,773
2014 $250.5 $724 $3,986 $6,417
2013 $234.8 $687 $3,961 $6,367
2012 $231.1 $637 $3,737 $6,318
2011 $230.1 $629 $4,002 $6,384
2010 $216.7 $614 $3,579 $6,039
2009 $198.4 $605 $3,660 $5,901
2008 $189.5 $609 $3,909 $6,011
2007 $166.2 $594 $3,325 $5,567
2006 $161.9 $580 $2,257 $4,758
2005 $147.2 $553 $2,004 $4,324
2004 $125.2 $552 $1,929 $3,969
2003 $111.4 $532 $1,718 $3,551
2002 $121 $545 $1,329 $3,388
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,223 $3,217
2000 $134.5 $519 $1,190 $3,124
1999 $127.5 $523 $1,327 $2,714
1998 $144.5 $533 $1,187 $2,443
1997 $160.3 $513 $1,134 $2,182
1996 $143.2 $513 $1,180 $1,963
1995 $164.9 $548 $1,165 $1,762
1994 $161.9 $619 $991 $1,540
1993 $165.3 $634 $1,220 $1,291
1992 $184.9 $640 $908 $1,186
1991 $204.7 $636 $832 $1,069
1990 $202.6 $598 $817 $1,044
1989 $203.6 - $727 -
1988 $201.7 - $729 -
1987 $215.6 - $658 -
1986 $234.3 - $541 -
1985 $228.4 - $396 -
1984 $200.4 - $385 -
1983 $225.2 - $410 -
1982 $216.4 - $423 -
1981 $212.2 - $425 -
1980 $209.8 - $440 -
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/cape-verde | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $5,192 in Cape Verde, ranking 118/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195.

Economic indicators

Burundi Cape Verde
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$2.73B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
172/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
7.24%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$5,192
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
118/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$11,195
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
129/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$3.03B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
111.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$5,776
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
76/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,576
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
32.3%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.2%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
26.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
1%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
11.3%
2019
Population
14833763
530391

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Cape Verde
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 26.1% 111.2%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 25.7% 117.5%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 26.6% 127.6%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 30.8% 149.5%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 34.5% 144.3%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 27.5% 109.8%
2018 26% 53% 27.5% 112.3%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 28% 113%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 26.6% 115.6%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 28.7% 115.7%
2014 28.5% 38% 27.8% 105.7%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 30.9% 93.5%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 31.6% 82.9%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 30.3% 71.6%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 35.7% 73.5%
2009 38% 25.7% 30.6% 58.8%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 27.6% 57.5%
2007 39% 129.6% 27.1% 59.6%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 28.4% 66.2%
2005 33.1% 137% 26.2% 66.7%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 26.3% 67.8%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 23.4% 65.6%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 28.5% 64.7%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 24.2% 62.2%
2000 21.7% 120% 36.7% 71.9%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 35% 66.4%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 29.8% 72.9%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 34.8% 79.3%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 38.9% 85.7%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 44.5% 74.3%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 48.1% 73.4%
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/cape-verde | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Cape Verde spent $711M, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 111.2% in Cape Verde, ranking 101/185 and 16/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Cape Verde
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Cape Verde
2024 -4.84% -1.07%
2023 -7.7% -0.28%
2022 -10.7% -4.25%
2021 -4.6% -7.51%
2020 -6.58% -9.29%
2019 -6.4% -1.62%
2018 -6.66% -2.36%
2017 -5.01% -2.63%
2016 -7.11% -2.73%
2015 -7.56% -4.16%
2014 -3.93% -6.93%
2013 -1.9% -8.49%
2012 -3.79% -9.36%
2011 -3.49% -6.98%
2010 -3.64% -9.6%
2009 -5.14% -5.32%
2008 -2.7% -1.42%
2007 -2.51% -0.86%
2006 -9.92% -4.32%
2005 -10.6% -4.69%
2004 -14.9% -2.98%
2003 -13.7% -3.63%
2002 -4.9% -6.14%
2001 -7.78% -5.03%
2000 -5.66% -15.5%
1999 -5.33% -10.9%
1998 -4.43% -3.16%
1997 -4.48% -10.2%
1996 -8.61% -11.2%
1995 -3.72% -11.1%
1994 -1.76% -12.8%
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/cape-verde | 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 Cape Verde's deficit of $29.1M, or 1.07% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Cape Verde ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.02% of GDP for Cape Verde.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Cape Verde
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Cape Verde
2024 20.2% 1%
2023 26.9% 3.7%
2022 18.8% 7.9%
2021 8.4% 1.9%
2020 7.32% 0.6%
2019 -0.69% 1.1%
2018 -2.81% 1.3%
2017 16.1% 0.8%
2016 5.56% -1.4%
2015 5.54% 0.1%
2014 4.41% -0.2%
2013 7.94% 1.5%
2012 18.2% 2.5%
2011 9.59% 4.5%
2010 6.49% 2.1%
2009 10.6% 1%
2008 24.4% 6.8%
2007 8.41% 4.4%
2006 2.75% 4.8%
2005 13.3% 0.4%
2004 8.18% -1.9%
2003 10.6% 1.2%
2002 -1.37% 1.9%
2001 9.3% 3.7%
2000 24.4% -2.4%
1999 3.39% 4.3%
1998 12.5% 4.4%
1997 31.1% 8.6%

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/burundi/cape-verde | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 2.31% in Cape Verde. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 1% in Cape Verde.

Balance of trade

Burundi Cape Verde
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$107M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
67/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+3.91%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$1.17B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$328M
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$298M
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$830M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
54%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Cape Verde
Economic freedom 40.2 71.4
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 32/197
Property rights 27.2 72.7
Government integrity 15.5 63.3
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 77.1
Tax burden 76.1 84.4
Government spending 76.3 79.5
Fiscal health 14.6 74.4
Business freedom 27.2 78.9
Labor freedom 49.9 59.5
Monetary freedom 55.5 80.4
Trade freedom 52.2 66.6
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Cape Verde
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Cape Verde
2026 40.2 71.4
2025 39.7 68.7
2024 38.4 62.9
2023 41.9 65.8
2022 39.4 66.7
2021 49.9 63.8
2020 49 63.6
2019 48.9 63.1
2018 50.9 60
2017 53.2 56.9
2016 53.9 66.5
2015 53.7 66.4
2014 51.4 66.1
2013 49 63.7
2012 48.1 63.5
2011 49.6 64.6
2010 47.5 61.8
2009 48.8 61.3
2008 46.2 57.9
2007 46.9 56.5
2006 48.7 58.6
2005 - 57.8
2004 - 58.1
2003 - 56.1
2002 - 57.6
2001 - 56.3
2000 42.6 51.9
1999 41.1 50.7
1998 44.7 48
1997 45.4 47.7
1996 - 49.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/cape-verde | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 71.4 for Cape Verde, ranking 32/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Cape Verde
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
68.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
10.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
4.92%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$2.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$11,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$783M
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
144/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$89.2M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$110M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$20.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
5.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
24.8%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
16.4%
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/burundi/cape-verde | 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 (1996–2026, 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 (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.