Skip to content

Economy of Burundi vs Central African Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 169/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Burundi vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Burundi
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi CAR
2024 $3,082,433,067 $2,751,494,281
2023 $3,430,949,250 $2,555,492,086
2022 $4,036,192,553 $2,382,618,615
2021 $3,435,598,073 $2,516,498,412
2020 $3,227,847,281 $2,326,720,900
2019 $2,871,555,326 $2,221,301,351
2018 $2,913,411,408 $2,220,979,146
2017 $2,831,362,208 $2,072,349,973
2016 $2,618,093,125 $1,825,018,145
2015 $2,810,532,912 $1,695,825,714
2014 $2,705,826,648 $1,894,813,389
2013 $2,451,624,638 $1,691,544,110
2012 $2,327,402,363 $2,510,126,512
2011 $2,235,812,880 $2,437,982,705
2010 $2,032,135,192 $2,142,591,540
2009 $1,775,495,032 $2,067,381,665
2008 $1,611,835,857 $1,993,407,888
2007 $1,356,199,387 $1,699,811,295
2006 $1,273,375,078 $1,461,859,762
2005 $1,117,113,080 $1,337,894,379
2004 $915,257,323 $1,272,360,517
2003 $784,654,424 $1,142,315,523
2002 $825,394,519 $996,068,145
2001 $876,794,723 $932,648,605
2000 $870,486,066 $916,777,283
1999 $808,077,223 $999,477,511
1998 $893,770,740 $967,338,390
1997 $972,896,268 $937,741,513
1996 $869,033,856 $1,007,791,127
1995 $1,000,428,394 $1,115,389,674
1994 $925,030,590 $851,174,357
1993 $938,632,612 $1,278,781,262
1992 $1,083,037,671 $1,411,917,553
1991 $1,167,398,478 $1,377,374,987
1990 $1,132,101,253 $1,440,711,459
1989 $1,113,924,130 $1,233,930,281
1988 $1,082,403,219 $1,264,899,288
1987 $1,131,466,494 $1,200,991,978
1986 $1,201,725,497 $1,122,265,013
1985 $1,149,979,286 $864,849,836
1984 $987,143,931 $637,820,670
1983 $1,082,926,304 $658,679,333
1982 $1,013,222,222 $748,312,391
1981 $969,046,667 $694,803,623
1980 $919,726,667 $797,048,199
1979 $782,496,667 $700,764,748
1978 $610,225,556 $610,578,632
1977 $547,535,556 $507,298,148
1976 $448,412,754 $451,152,461
1975 $420,986,667 $378,660,016
1974 $345,263,492 $281,398,706
1973 $304,339,524 $271,183,082
1972 $246,804,571 $230,317,883
1971 $252,842,286 $201,450,800
1970 $242,732,571 $189,106,529
1969 $190,205,714 $188,039,210
1968 $183,200,000 $191,767,442
1967 $178,297,143 $163,820,514
1966 $165,444,571 $157,930,018
1965 $158,994,963 $150,574,795
1964 $260,750,008 $142,025,079
1963 $232,749,998 $129,379,124
1962 $213,500,006 $124,482,774
1961 $202,999,992 $123,134,583
1960 $195,999,990 $112,155,598

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Central African Republic by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $516 $1,263
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $496 $1,257
2022 $303 $1,105 $467 $1,218
2021 $265 $1,036 $492 $1,129
2020 $255.8 $958 $463 $1,066
2019 $234.3 $868 $449 $985
2018 $245.7 $823 $455 $906
2017 $246.1 $791 $432 $884
2016 $232.9 $764 $387 $826
2015 $254.4 $722 $366 $769
2014 $250.5 $724 $410 $699
2013 $234.8 $687 $364 $710
2012 $231.1 $637 $544 $1,062
2011 $230.1 $629 $534 $980
2010 $216.7 $614 $477 $936
2009 $198.4 $605 $456 $877
2008 $189.5 $609 $437 $798
2007 $166.2 $594 $381 $783
2006 $161.9 $580 $334 $743
2005 $147.2 $553 $312 $702
2004 $125.2 $552 $303 $690
2003 $111.4 $532 $278.4 $648
2002 $121 $545 $248.6 $688
2001 $132.2 $528 $238 $668
2000 $134.5 $519 $239.2 $640
1999 $127.5 $523 $268 $660
1998 $144.5 $533 $266.6 $645
1997 $160.3 $513 $265.5 $626
1996 $143.2 $513 $293.3 $601
1995 $164.9 $548 $333 $631
1994 $161.9 $619 $261.3 $592
1993 $165.3 $634 $405 $570
1992 $184.9 $640 $462 $573
1991 $204.7 $636 $465 $618
1990 $202.6 $598 $502 $620
1989 $203.6 - $443 -
1988 $201.7 - $466 -
1987 $215.6 - $450 -
1986 $234.3 - $426 -
1985 $228.4 - $333 -
1984 $200.4 - $248.3 -
1983 $225.2 - $259.6 -
1982 $216.4 - $298.4 -
1981 $212.2 - $280.3 -
1980 $209.8 - $325 -
1979 $186.2 - $289.1 -
1978 $148.8 - $254.6 -
1977 $137.4 - $213.8 -
1976 $115.5 - $192.1 -
1975 $110.9 - $163.6 -
1974 $93.2 - $124 -
1973 $84.3 - $121.8 -
1972 $68.2 - $105.5 -
1971 $69.9 - $94.1 -
1970 $68.8 - $90.2 -
1969 $55.1 - $91.7 -
1968 $54.2 - $95.6 -
1967 $54 - $83.6 -
1966 $51.4 - $82.3 -
1965 $50.6 - $80.2 -
1964 $85.3 - $77.2 -
1963 $78.4 - $71.8 -
1962 $73.4 - $70.4 -
1961 $71.6 - $71 -
1960 $70.9 - $65.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/central-african-republic | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Burundi CAR
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$1,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
6.9%
2017
Population
14833763
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 26% 53% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 28.5% 38% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 38% 25.7% 16% 20.3%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 16% 35.8%
2007 39% 129.6% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 33.1% 137% 16.2% 103%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 21.7% 120% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 11.7% 93%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 24% 112% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 19.2% - 22.6% 55.8%
1990 17.4% - 22% 44.6%
1989 - - 19.6% 50.9%
1988 - - 21.4% 48.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 101/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi CAR
2024 -4.84% -5.08%
2023 -7.7% -3.44%
2022 -10.7% -5.23%
2021 -4.6% -5.8%
2020 -6.58% -3.24%
2019 -6.4% 1.33%
2018 -6.66% -0.93%
2017 -5.01% -1%
2016 -7.11% 1.17%
2015 -7.56% -0.53%
2014 -3.93% -3.02%
2013 -1.9% -2.3%
2012 -3.79% -0.78%
2011 -3.49% -2.15%
2010 -3.64% -1.35%
2009 -5.14% -0.54%
2008 -2.7% -1.23%
2007 -2.51% 1.04%
2006 -9.92% 8.58%
2005 -10.6% -4.37%
2004 -14.9% -1.74%
2003 -13.7% -3.06%
2002 -4.9% -1.19%
2001 -7.78% -0.88%
2000 -5.66% -2.01%
1999 -5.33% -0.5%
1998 -4.43% 0.001%
1997 -4.48% -1.57%
1996 -8.61% -1.06%
1995 -3.72% -4.84%
1994 -1.76% -7.57%
1993 -1.22% -5.66%
1992 -4.16% -7.33%
1991 4.14% -8%
1990 8.14% -6.6%
1989 - -3.25%
1988 - -3.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/central-african-republic | 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 the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.31% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi CAR
2024 20.2% 1.5%
2023 26.9% 3%
2022 18.8% 5.6%
2021 8.4% 4.3%
2020 7.32% 0.9%
2019 -0.69% 2.8%
2018 -2.81% 1.6%
2017 16.1% 4.2%
2016 5.56% 4.9%
2015 5.54% 1.4%
2014 4.41% 17.8%
2013 7.94% 4%
2012 18.2% 5.9%
2011 9.59% 1.2%
2010 6.49% 1.5%
2009 10.6% 3.6%
2008 24.4% 9.2%
2007 8.41% 0.9%
2006 2.75% 6.9%
2005 13.3% 2.9%
2004 8.18% -2.6%
2003 10.6% 4.4%
2002 -1.37% 2.3%
2001 9.3% 4.1%
2000 24.4% 3.4%
1999 3.39% -1.6%
1998 12.5% -2%
1997 31.1% 1.6%

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/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $16K
Raw materials & minerals $14K
Machinery & equipment $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
CAR
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Burundi CAR
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$146M
1994
Service imports
$361M
2024
$114M
1994
Service exports
$121M
2024
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi CAR
Economic freedom 40.2 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 182/197
Property rights 27.2 5.6
Government integrity 15.5 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 4
Tax burden 76.1 65.5
Government spending 76.3 90.1
Fiscal health 14.6 59
Business freedom 27.2 26.5
Labor freedom 49.9 48.5
Monetary freedom 55.5 75.6
Trade freedom 52.2 47.6
Investment freedom 50 45
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi CAR
2026 40.2 43.1
2025 39.7 42.8
2024 38.4 41.3
2023 41.9 43.8
2022 39.4 45.7
2021 49.9 48.8
2020 49 50.7
2019 48.9 49.1
2018 50.9 49.2
2017 53.2 51.8
2016 53.9 45.2
2015 53.7 45.9
2014 51.4 46.7
2013 49 50.4
2012 48.1 50.3
2011 49.6 49.3
2010 47.5 48.4
2009 48.8 48.3
2008 46.2 48.6
2007 46.9 50.6
2006 48.7 54.2
2005 - 56.5
2004 - 57.5
2003 - 60
2002 - 59.8
2001 - -
2000 42.6 -
1999 41.1 -
1998 44.7 -
1997 45.4 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/central-african-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 43.1 for the Central African Republic, ranking 182/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi CAR
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
23.6%
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/central-african-republic | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.