Skip to content

Economy of Burundi vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Burundi has a GDP of $3.36B compared to $19.5T for China, ranking 169/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.39B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $19.3T (99.2% of GDP) in China.

Burundi vs China GDP by year

Burundi
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi China
2025 $3,364,713,864 $19,498,039,388,043
2024 $3,037,579,858 $18,729,668,435,848
2023 $3,419,558,408 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $4,020,736,757 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $3,425,127,991 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $3,188,355,944 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $2,871,555,326 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $2,913,411,408 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $2,831,362,208 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $2,618,093,125 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $2,810,532,912 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $2,705,826,648 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $2,451,624,638 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $2,327,402,363 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $2,235,812,880 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $2,032,135,192 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $1,775,495,032 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $1,611,835,857 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $1,356,199,387 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $1,273,375,078 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $1,117,113,080 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $915,257,323 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $784,654,424 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $825,394,519 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $876,794,723 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $870,486,066 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 $808,077,223 $1,103,843,203,576
1998 $893,770,740 $1,037,134,141,760
1997 $972,896,268 $967,753,570,435
1996 $869,033,856 $868,523,936,530
1995 $1,000,428,394 $738,190,896,228
1994 $925,030,590 $566,929,539,493
1993 $938,632,612 $446,557,291,212
1992 $1,083,037,671 $428,502,354,788
1991 $1,167,398,478 $384,510,452,962
1990 $1,132,101,253 $361,560,229,446
1989 $1,113,924,130 $348,380,566,802
1988 $1,082,403,219 $312,888,888,889
1987 $1,131,466,494 $273,455,156,951
1986 $1,201,725,497 $301,310,144,928
1985 $1,149,979,286 $310,064,625,850
1984 $987,143,931 $260,442,857,143
1983 $1,082,926,304 $231,130,268,199
1982 $1,013,222,222 $205,480,916,031
1981 $969,046,667 $196,218,253,968
1980 $919,726,667 $191,487,500,000
1979 $782,496,667 $178,573,913,043
1978 $610,225,556 $149,788,617,886
1977 $547,535,556 $175,226,595,860
1976 $448,412,754 $154,196,810,059
1975 $420,986,667 $163,687,619,736
1974 $345,263,492 $144,418,433,058
1973 $304,339,524 $138,764,340,892
1972 $246,804,571 $113,871,930,714
1971 $252,842,286 $99,959,013,880
1970 $242,732,571 $92,752,930,873
1969 $190,205,714 $79,847,786,729
1968 $183,200,000 $70,980,323,819
1967 $178,297,143 $73,011,350,596
1966 $165,444,571 $76,854,053,259
1965 $158,994,963 $70,565,994,356
1964 $260,750,008 $59,821,862,703
1963 $232,749,998 $50,812,227,919
1962 $213,500,006 $47,310,737,754
1961 $202,999,992 $50,162,299,350
1960 $195,999,990 $59,846,235,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs China by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $233.8 - $13,862 -
2024 $216.2 $1,195 $13,293 $27,105
2023 $249.8 $1,150 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $302 $1,105 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $264.2 $1,036 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $252.7 $958 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $234.3 $868 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $245.7 $823 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $246.1 $791 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $232.9 $764 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $254.4 $722 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $250.5 $724 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $234.8 $687 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $231.1 $637 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $230.1 $629 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $216.7 $614 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $198.4 $605 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $189.5 $609 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $166.2 $594 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $161.9 $580 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $147.2 $553 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $125.2 $552 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $111.4 $532 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $121 $545 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $134.5 $519 $969 $2,964
1999 $127.5 $523 $881 $2,690
1998 $144.5 $533 $835 $2,483
1997 $160.3 $513 $787 $2,297
1996 $143.2 $513 $713 $2,088
1995 $164.9 $548 $613 $1,884
1994 $161.9 $619 $476 $1,680
1993 $165.3 $634 $379 $1,471
1992 $184.9 $640 $368 $1,276
1991 $204.7 $636 $334 $1,105
1990 $202.6 $598 $319 $991
1989 $203.6 - $311 -
1988 $201.7 - $284 -
1987 $215.6 - $252.3 -
1986 $234.3 - $282.4 -
1985 $228.4 - $295 -
1984 $200.4 - $251.2 -
1983 $225.2 - $225.9 -
1982 $216.4 - $203.7 -
1981 $212.2 - $197.4 -
1980 $209.8 - $195.1 -
1979 $186.2 - $184.3 -
1978 $148.8 - $156.7 -
1977 $137.4 - $185.7 -
1976 $115.5 - $165.7 -
1975 $110.9 - $178.6 -
1974 $93.2 - $160.4 -
1973 $84.3 - $157.3 -
1972 $68.2 - $132.1 -
1971 $69.9 - $118.8 -
1970 $68.8 - $113.3 -
1969 $55.1 - $100.3 -
1968 $54.2 - $91.6 -
1967 $54 - $96.8 -
1966 $51.4 - $104.5 -
1965 $50.6 - $98.7 -
1964 $85.3 - $85.7 -
1963 $78.4 - $74.5 -
1962 $73.4 - $71.1 -
1961 $71.6 - $76 -
1960 $70.9 - $89.7 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $233.8, ranking 197/197, compared to $13,862 in China, ranking 77/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

Burundi China
Gross domestic product
$3.36B
2025
$19.5T
2025
GDP rank
169/197
2025
2/197
2025
GDP growth
4.24%
2024-2025
4.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$233.8
2025
$13,862
2025
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2025
77/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$1.39B
2025
$19.3T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2025
99.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$96.3
2025
$13,756
2025
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2025
47/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,052
2026
$10,414
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$15.5T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
5,305,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
539
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2025
32.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
34.1%
2024-2025
0%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
4.57%
2022
Population
14909238
1403335670

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.4% 41.2% 32.9% 99.2%
2024 22.3% 53.1% 32.9% 90.4%
2023 28.4% 59.9% 32.7% 84.1%
2022 33.5% 69.8% 32.6% 77.3%
2021 28.4% 63.6% 31.9% 72.1%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 34.8% 70.1%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 33.6% 59.8%
2018 26% 53% 32.6% 55.9%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 32% 53.9%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 31.7% 50%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 31% 40.8%
2014 28.5% 38% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 38% 25.7% 25.2% 34%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 39% 129.6% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 33.1% 137% 18% 25.9%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 17.6% 26%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 18% 26.4%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 21.7% 120% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 11.5% 20.4%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 11% 21.2%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 11.1% 21.4%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 12.4% -
1993 24% 112% 13.4% -
1992 26.1% 93.5% 14.6% -
1991 19.2% - 16.5% -
1990 17.4% - 18.2% -
1989 - - 18.6% -
1988 - - 20.9% 4.46%
1987 - - 23.4% 3.6%
1986 - - 25.6% 3.24%
1985 - - 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government spending was $686M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while China spent $6.41T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Burundi and 99.2% in China, ranking 129/185 and 26/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi China
2025 -2.98% -7.87%
2024 -4.83% -7.11%
2023 -7.7% -6.71%
2022 -10.7% -7.32%
2021 -4.6% -5.9%
2020 -6.58% -9.56%
2019 -6.4% -6%
2018 -6.66% -4.2%
2017 -5.01% -3.34%
2016 -7.11% -3.33%
2015 -7.56% -2.5%
2014 -3.93% -0.67%
2013 -1.9% -0.82%
2012 -3.79% -0.3%
2011 -3.49% -0.1%
2010 -3.64% -0.36%
2009 -5.14% -1.72%
2008 -2.7% -0.02%
2007 -2.51% 0.06%
2006 -9.92% -1.13%
2005 -10.6% -1.38%
2004 -14.9% -1.49%
2003 -13.7% -2.36%
2002 -4.9% -2.84%
2001 -7.78% -2.56%
2000 -5.66% -2.81%
1999 -5.33% -2.3%
1998 -4.43% -1.08%
1997 -4.48% -0.73%
1996 -8.61% -0.73%
1995 -3.72% -0.94%
1994 -1.76% -1.68%
1993 -1.22% -0.89%
1992 -4.16% -1.22%
1991 4.14% -1.04%
1990 8.14% -0.72%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -2.22%
1987 - -2.08%
1986 - -1.82%
1985 - -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $100M, equivalent to 2.98% of GDP. This compares to China's deficit of $1.53T, or 7.87% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.6% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi China
2025 34.1% 0%
2024 20.2% 0.2%
2023 26.9% 0.2%
2022 18.8% 2%
2021 8.4% 0.9%
2020 7.32% 2.5%
2019 -0.69% 2.9%
2018 -2.81% 2.1%
2017 16.1% 1.6%
2016 5.56% 2%
2015 5.54% 1.4%
2014 4.41% 2%
2013 7.94% 2.6%
2012 18.2% 2.6%
2011 9.59% 5.4%
2010 6.49% 3.3%
2009 10.6% -0.7%
2008 24.4% 5.8%
2007 8.41% 4.8%
2006 2.75% 1.5%
2005 13.3% 1.8%
2004 8.18% 3.9%
2003 10.6% 1.2%
2002 -1.37% -0.8%
2001 9.3% 0.7%
2000 24.4% 0.4%
1999 3.39% -1.4%
1998 12.5% -0.8%
1997 31.1% 2.8%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 1.76% in China. In 2025, inflation was 34.1% in Burundi and 0% in China.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $5.13M
Raw materials & minerals $4.45M
Precious metals & jewellery $37K
Metals $9K
Animal & marine products $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $62.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $14.9M
Chemicals & pharma $10.6M
Metals $9.4M
Raw materials & minerals $4.77M
Raw agricultural goods $1.67M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.29M
Wood & paper products $1.26M
Miscellaneous $943K
Animal & marine products $849K

Balance of trade

Burundi China
Current account balance
-$461M
2025
$735B
2025
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2025
1/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.7%
2025
+3.77%
2025
Goods imports
$1.1B
2025
$2.69T
2025
Goods exports
$407M
2025
$3.75T
2025
Service imports
$406M
2025
$623B
2025
Service exports
$148M
2025
$385B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
16.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
21.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi China
Economic freedom 40.2 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 170/197
Property rights 27.2 40.9
Government integrity 15.5 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 38.6
Tax burden 76.1 69.3
Government spending 76.3 67.8
Fiscal health 14.6 4.4
Business freedom 27.2 68.7
Labor freedom 49.9 57.9
Monetary freedom 55.5 76.1
Trade freedom 52.2 73.4
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi China
2026 40.2 48.3
2025 39.7 49
2024 38.4 48.5
2023 41.9 48.3
2022 39.4 48
2021 49.9 58.4
2020 49 59.5
2019 48.9 58.4
2018 50.9 57.8
2017 53.2 57.4
2016 53.9 52
2015 53.7 52.7
2014 51.4 52.5
2013 49 51.9
2012 48.1 51.2
2011 49.6 52
2010 47.5 51
2009 48.8 53.2
2008 46.2 53.1
2007 46.9 52
2006 48.7 53.6
2005 - 53.7
2004 - 52.5
2003 - 52.6
2002 - 52.8
2001 - 52.6
2000 42.6 56.4
1999 41.1 54.8
1998 44.7 53.1
1997 45.4 51.7
1996 - 51.3
1995 - 52

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi China
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2025
57.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2025
35.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2025
6.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.46B
2025
$20T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,250
2025
$29,160
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$3.75T
2025
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
1/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$31.2M
2025
$77.2B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$192B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.18%
2024
1.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
40.5%
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/burundi/china | 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 (1960–2025, 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 (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, 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.