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Economy of Burundi vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 169/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Burundi vs DR Congo GDP by year

Burundi
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi DR Congo
2024 $3,082,433,067 $70,962,185,791
2023 $3,430,949,250 $69,843,655,425
2022 $4,036,192,553 $70,422,346,142
2021 $3,435,598,073 $59,067,289,574
2020 $3,227,847,281 $46,691,989,749
2019 $2,871,555,326 $46,845,900,350
2018 $2,913,411,408 $46,659,954,092
2017 $2,831,362,208 $37,537,521,566
2016 $2,618,093,125 $38,600,224,214
2015 $2,810,532,912 $40,179,574,490
2014 $2,705,826,648 $38,352,980,553
2013 $2,451,624,638 $34,891,189,160
2012 $2,327,402,363 $30,029,369,929
2011 $2,235,812,880 $26,392,379,642
2010 $2,032,135,192 $24,161,641,931
2009 $1,775,495,032 $18,607,259,481
2008 $1,611,835,857 $22,723,488,723
2007 $1,356,199,387 $18,374,807,773
2006 $1,273,375,078 $15,484,044,535
2005 $1,117,113,080 $12,609,728,573
2004 $915,257,323 $10,297,483,481
2003 $784,654,424 $8,937,567,060
2002 $825,394,519 $8,728,038,525
2001 $876,794,723 $7,438,189,100
2000 $870,486,066 $19,088,046,306
1999 $808,077,223 $4,711,259,427
1998 $893,770,740 $6,217,805,821
1997 $972,896,268 $6,090,838,693
1996 $869,033,856 $5,771,456,952
1995 $1,000,428,394 $5,643,439,376
1994 $925,030,590 $5,820,382,248
1993 $938,632,612 $10,706,259,937
1992 $1,083,037,671 $8,227,343,907
1991 $1,167,398,478 $9,625,436,873
1990 $1,132,101,253 $9,349,764,580
1989 $1,113,924,130 $9,021,862,775
1988 $1,082,403,219 $8,861,299,977
1987 $1,131,466,494 $7,661,625,473
1986 $1,201,725,497 $8,095,367,168
1985 $1,149,979,286 $7,195,042,616
1984 $987,143,931 $7,857,729,193
1983 $1,082,926,304 $11,006,712,650
1982 $1,013,222,222 $13,651,667,371
1981 $969,046,667 $12,537,821,038
1980 $919,726,667 $14,394,927,495
1979 $782,496,667 $15,068,422,236
1978 $610,225,556 $15,372,608,002
1977 $547,535,556 $12,344,424,764
1976 $448,412,754 $9,648,583,225
1975 $420,986,667 $10,237,343,174
1974 $345,263,492 $9,596,960,180
1973 $304,339,524 $7,870,239,461
1972 $246,804,571 $6,173,712,814
1971 $252,842,286 $5,594,770,359
1970 $242,732,571 $4,877,684,910
1969 $190,205,714 $5,032,434,970
1968 $183,200,000 $3,909,780,539
1967 $178,297,143 $3,384,063,372
1966 $165,444,571 $4,532,660,182
1965 $158,994,963 $4,043,901,818
1964 $260,750,008 $2,881,545,273
1963 $232,749,998 $6,213,185,743
1962 $213,500,006 $3,779,841,429
1961 $202,999,992 $3,086,746,857
1960 $195,999,990 $3,359,404,118

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/dr-congo | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs DR Congo by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $649 $1,821
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $660 $1,731
2022 $303 $1,105 $688 $1,590
2021 $265 $1,036 $596 $1,402
2020 $255.8 $958 $486 $1,089
2019 $234.3 $868 $504 $1,056
2018 $245.7 $823 $518 $1,049
2017 $246.1 $791 $431 $991
2016 $232.9 $764 $460 $950
2015 $254.4 $722 $496 $910
2014 $250.5 $724 $489 $859
2013 $234.8 $687 $460 $761
2012 $231.1 $637 $410 $648
2011 $230.1 $629 $373 $644
2010 $216.7 $614 $352 $606
2009 $198.4 $605 $280.2 $573
2008 $189.5 $609 $353 $584
2007 $166.2 $594 $294.1 $550
2006 $161.9 $580 $255.4 $508
2005 $147.2 $553 $214.5 $484
2004 $125.2 $552 $180.7 $456
2003 $111.4 $532 $161.5 $428
2002 $121 $545 $162.4 $410
2001 $132.2 $528 $142.7 $404
2000 $134.5 $519 $378 $417
1999 $127.5 $523 $96.3 $452
1998 $144.5 $533 $131.5 $481
1997 $160.3 $513 $132.3 $497
1996 $143.2 $513 $127.4 $526
1995 $164.9 $548 $127 $532
1994 $161.9 $619 $136.5 $540
1993 $165.3 $634 $263.3 $576
1992 $184.9 $640 $209.7 $674
1991 $204.7 $636 $253.8 $762
1990 $202.6 $598 $254.9 $832
1989 $203.6 - $254.2 -
1988 $201.7 - $257.7 -
1987 $215.6 - $230.1 -
1986 $234.3 - $250.9 -
1985 $228.4 - $230.1 -
1984 $200.4 - $259.8 -
1983 $225.2 - $376 -
1982 $216.4 - $482 -
1981 $212.2 - $456 -
1980 $209.8 - $539 -
1979 $186.2 - $582 -
1978 $148.8 - $615 -
1977 $137.4 - $509 -
1976 $115.5 - $408 -
1975 $110.9 - $445 -
1974 $93.2 - $428 -
1973 $84.3 - $361 -
1972 $68.2 - $290.5 -
1971 $69.9 - $270.3 -
1970 $68.8 - $242.2 -
1969 $55.1 - $257.1 -
1968 $54.2 - $205.6 -
1967 $54 - $183.3 -
1966 $51.4 - $252.8 -
1965 $50.6 - $232 -
1964 $85.3 - $169.9 -
1963 $78.4 - $376 -
1962 $73.4 - $235.1 -
1961 $71.6 - $197.1 -
1960 $70.9 - $220.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/dr-congo | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Burundi DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$1,693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate n/a
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
1.47%
2020
Population
14833763
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 16.5% 27%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 14% 19.4%
2018 26% 53% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 14.3% 33%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 16% 25.5%
2014 28.5% 38% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 38% 25.7% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 39% 129.6% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 33.1% 137% 7.59% 112%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 4.17% 136%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 21.7% 120% 2.49% 135%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 2.15% -
1998 19.9% 138.9% 2.78% -
1997 18.8% 122.8% 2.51% -
1996 24.4% 139.4% 2.17% -
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/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 101/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi DR Congo
2024 -4.84% -1.48%
2023 -7.7% -1.65%
2022 -10.7% -1.01%
2021 -4.6% -1.68%
2020 -6.58% -3.17%
2019 -6.4% -3.17%
2018 -6.66% -1.34%
2017 -5.01% -0.05%
2016 -7.11% -0.93%
2015 -7.56% -1.35%
2014 -3.93% 3.73%
2013 -1.9% 3.28%
2012 -3.79% 1.71%
2011 -3.49% -0.94%
2010 -3.64% -0.95%
2009 -5.14% 0.92%
2008 -2.7% -0.41%
2007 -2.51% 1.12%
2006 -9.92% 1.97%
2005 -10.6% 1.3%
2004 -14.9% -0.17%
2003 -13.7% -3.92%
2002 -4.9% 0.89%
2001 -7.78% -1.13%
2000 -5.66% -1.85%
1999 -5.33% -1.35%
1998 -4.43% -1.55%
1997 -4.48% -1.06%
1996 -8.61% -0.56%
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/dr-congo | 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 DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi DR Congo
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% 2.89%
2015 5.54% 0.74%
2014 4.41% 1.24%
2013 7.94% 0.81%
2012 18.2% 9.72%
2011 9.59% 15.3%
2010 6.49% 7.1%
2009 10.6% 2.8%
2008 24.4% 17.3%
2007 8.41% 16.9%
2006 2.75% 13.1%
2005 13.3% 21.3%
2004 8.18% 3.99%
2003 10.6% 12.9%
2002 -1.37% 31.5%
2001 9.3% 360%
2000 24.4% 514%
1999 3.39% 284.9%
1998 12.5% 29.1%
1997 31.1% 198.5%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/dr-congo | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.8%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15.1M
Raw agricultural goods $11.5M
Metals $8.38M
Chemicals & pharma $7.42M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.8M
Machinery & equipment $2.77M
Raw materials & minerals $351K
Animal & marine products $28K
Precious metals & jewellery $25K
Wood & paper products $8K
DR Congo
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.03M
Raw materials & minerals $1M
Precious metals & jewellery $698K
Textiles & consumer goods $266K
Chemicals & pharma $243K
Machinery & equipment $139K
Metals $118K
Wood & paper products $18K
Animal & marine products $15K
Miscellaneous $7K

Balance of trade

Burundi DR Congo
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi DR Congo
Economic freedom 40.2 47
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 176/197
Property rights 27.2 15.4
Government integrity 15.5 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 11.7
Tax burden 76.1 73.8
Government spending 76.3 91.2
Fiscal health 14.6 95.9
Business freedom 27.2 32.3
Labor freedom 49.9 54.2
Monetary freedom 55.5 58.6
Trade freedom 52.2 68.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi DR Congo
2026 40.2 47
2025 39.7 47.3
2024 38.4 47.6
2023 41.9 47.9
2022 39.4 47.6
2021 49.9 49
2020 49 49.5
2019 48.9 50.3
2018 50.9 52.1
2017 53.2 56.4
2016 53.9 46.4
2015 53.7 45
2014 51.4 40.6
2013 49 39.6
2012 48.1 41.1
2011 49.6 40.7
2010 47.5 41.4
2009 48.8 42.8
2008 46.2 -
2007 46.9 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 42.6 34.8
1999 41.1 34
1998 44.7 40.6
1997 45.4 39.5
1996 - 39.5
1995 - 41.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/dr-congo | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 47 for the DR Congo, ranking 176/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
32.5%
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/dr-congo | 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.