Skip to content

Economy of Burundi vs Eswatini compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $4.86B for Eswatini, ranking 169/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $1.93B (39.8% of GDP) in Eswatini.

Burundi vs Eswatini GDP by year

Burundi
Eswatini
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Eswatini
2024 $3,082,433,067 $4,858,885,841
2023 $3,430,949,250 $4,621,191,262
2022 $4,036,192,553 $4,746,660,274
2021 $3,435,598,073 $4,807,069,277
2020 $3,227,847,281 $4,134,677,810
2019 $2,871,555,326 $4,617,018,959
2018 $2,913,411,408 $4,643,751,059
2017 $2,831,362,208 $4,462,640,651
2016 $2,618,093,125 $3,722,306,117
2015 $2,810,532,912 $3,908,217,914
2014 $2,705,826,648 $4,285,065,665
2013 $2,451,624,638 $4,463,396,204
2012 $2,327,402,363 $4,747,813,067
2011 $2,235,812,880 $4,722,912,047
2010 $2,032,135,192 $4,360,714,359
2009 $1,775,495,032 $3,525,213,502
2008 $1,611,835,857 $3,235,921,171
2007 $1,356,199,387 $3,391,122,887
2006 $1,273,375,078 $3,215,307,901
2005 $1,117,113,080 $3,097,946,371
2004 $915,257,323 $2,710,331,785
2003 $784,654,424 $2,149,632,433
2002 $825,394,519 $1,393,945,031
2001 $876,794,723 $1,502,870,486
2000 $870,486,066 $1,697,161,558
1999 $808,077,223 $1,547,888,496
1998 $893,770,740 $1,576,908,856
1997 $972,896,268 $1,716,714,070
1996 $869,033,856 $1,602,741,834
1995 $1,000,428,394 $1,698,989,464
1994 $925,030,590 $1,419,294,254
1993 $938,632,612 $1,357,189,552
1992 $1,083,037,671 $1,284,759,928
1991 $1,167,398,478 $1,156,135,718
1990 $1,132,101,253 $1,114,694,041
1989 $1,113,924,130 $696,921,542
1988 $1,082,403,219 $692,026,455
1987 $1,131,466,494 $584,126,092
1986 $1,201,725,497 $449,140,318
1985 $1,149,979,286 $360,079,419
1984 $987,143,931 $494,483,409
1983 $1,082,926,304 $555,336,146
1982 $1,013,222,222 $537,568,059
1981 $969,046,667 $570,774,825
1980 $919,726,667 $541,976,853
1979 $782,496,667 $412,093,134
1978 $610,225,556 $340,630,085
1977 $547,535,556 $304,060,076
1976 $448,412,754 $272,550,068
1975 $420,986,667 $288,299,789
1974 $345,263,492 $264,320,941
1973 $304,339,524 $221,915,128
1972 $246,804,571 $146,736,479
1971 $252,842,286 $136,462,081
1970 $242,732,571 $112,139,955
1969 $190,205,714 $105,419,958
1968 $183,200,000 $79,799,968
1967 $178,297,143 $74,759,970
1966 $165,444,571 $76,859,969
1965 $158,994,963 $70,279,972
1964 $260,750,008 $64,980,554
1963 $232,749,998 $54,129,438
1962 $213,500,006 $45,927,962
1961 $202,999,992 $43,026,043
1960 $195,999,990 $35,076,846

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Eswatini by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Eswatini
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $3,910 $11,799
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $3,756 $11,300
2022 $303 $1,105 $3,894 $10,635
2021 $265 $1,036 $3,984 $9,990
2020 $255.8 $958 $3,467 $9,329
2019 $234.3 $868 $3,913 $9,248
2018 $245.7 $823 $3,973 $8,535
2017 $246.1 $791 $3,853 $8,584
2016 $232.9 $764 $3,238 $8,484
2015 $254.4 $722 $3,420 $8,391
2014 $250.5 $724 $3,771 $8,366
2013 $234.8 $687 $3,950 $8,231
2012 $231.1 $637 $4,225 $7,760
2011 $230.1 $629 $4,225 $7,571
2010 $216.7 $614 $3,923 $7,324
2009 $198.4 $605 $3,190 $7,011
2008 $189.5 $609 $2,947 $6,914
2007 $166.2 $594 $3,109 $6,732
2006 $161.9 $580 $2,965 $6,319
2005 $147.2 $553 $2,871 $5,773
2004 $125.2 $552 $2,526 $5,310
2003 $111.4 $532 $2,015 $5,020
2002 $121 $545 $1,316 $4,742
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,430 $4,521
2000 $134.5 $519 $1,630 $4,401
1999 $127.5 $523 $1,502 $4,272
1998 $144.5 $533 $1,547 $4,137
1997 $160.3 $513 $1,705 $4,038
1996 $143.2 $513 $1,619 $3,916
1995 $164.9 $548 $1,751 $3,777
1994 $161.9 $619 $1,461 $3,526
1993 $165.3 $634 $1,397 $3,371
1992 $184.9 $640 $1,362 $3,289
1991 $204.7 $636 $1,273 $3,236
1990 $202.6 $598 $1,278 $3,202
1989 $203.6 - $832 -
1988 $201.7 - $865 -
1987 $215.6 - $765 -
1986 $234.3 - $611 -
1985 $228.4 - $510 -
1984 $200.4 - $726 -
1983 $225.2 - $843 -
1982 $216.4 - $843 -
1981 $212.2 - $925 -
1980 $209.8 - $908 -
1979 $186.2 - $714 -
1978 $148.8 - $610 -
1977 $137.4 - $563 -
1976 $115.5 - $521 -
1975 $110.9 - $568 -
1974 $93.2 - $536 -
1973 $84.3 - $463 -
1972 $68.2 - $315 -
1971 $69.9 - $301 -
1970 $68.8 - $254.2 -
1969 $55.1 - $245.2 -
1968 $54.2 - $190.4 -
1967 $54 - $182.8 -
1966 $51.4 - $192.7 -
1965 $50.6 - $181 -
1964 $85.3 - $171.6 -
1963 $78.4 - $146.4 -
1962 $73.4 - $127.1 -
1961 $71.6 - $121.8 -
1960 $70.9 - $101.6 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $3,910 in Eswatini, ranking 131/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799.

Economic indicators

Burundi Eswatini
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$4.86B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
162/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
2.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$3,910
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$11,799
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
126/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$1.93B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
39.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
130/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$3,913
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$234M
2007
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
42.7%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
1.4%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
33.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
2.6%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
34.6%
2023
Population
14833763
1273390

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Eswatini
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Eswatini
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 33.3% 39.8%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 32% 40%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 29.6% 40.5%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 30.1% 38.4%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 32.7% 38.2%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 32.9% 30.7%
2018 26% 53% 32.2% 27%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 33.9% 21.9%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 34.7% 20.5%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 35.3% 16.4%
2014 28.5% 38% 33.3% 14.3%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 29.4% 15.5%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 27.8% 15.2%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 26% 15.1%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 31.6% 14.5%
2009 38% 25.7% 34.5% 10.8%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 34.4% 15%
2007 39% 129.6% 31.2% 16.6%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 28.2% 15%
2005 33.1% 137% 29.7% 13.9%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 32% 15.5%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 26.4% 18%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 27.2% 17.6%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 26.4% 22.4%
2000 21.7% 120% 25.3% 18.7%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 26.5% 17.2%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 22.5% 15.9%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 21.2% 13%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 23.3% 12%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 20.5% 12.9%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 24.7% 13.8%
1993 24% 112% 24% 15.6%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 26% 16.6%
1991 19.2% - 20.3% 20.1%
1990 17.4% - 18.7% 20.4%
1989 - - 15.8% 26.8%
1988 - - 15.6% 27.5%
1987 - - 17% 36.1%
1986 - - 19.8% 44%
1985 - - 22.3% 45.5%
1984 - - 22.2% 29.7%
1983 - - 23.2% 28.7%
1982 - - 24% 29.2%
1981 - - 23.8% 24.3%
1980 - - 19.6% 27.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Eswatini spent $1.62B, or 33.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 39.8% in Eswatini, ranking 101/185 and 134/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Eswatini
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Eswatini
2024 -4.84% -1.36%
2023 -7.7% -0.67%
2022 -10.7% -5.4%
2021 -4.6% -4.68%
2020 -6.58% -4.27%
2019 -6.4% -6.26%
2018 -6.66% -6.72%
2017 -5.01% -5.68%
2016 -7.11% -8.54%
2015 -7.56% -6.03%
2014 -3.93% -1.18%
2013 -1.9% 0.59%
2012 -3.79% 3.48%
2011 -3.49% -4.02%
2010 -3.64% -9.52%
2009 -5.14% -3.06%
2008 -2.7% 1.63%
2007 -2.51% 2.44%
2006 -9.92% 8.88%
2005 -10.6% -1.7%
2004 -14.9% -4.1%
2003 -13.7% -2.15%
2002 -4.9% -3.78%
2001 -7.78% -2.31%
2000 -5.66% -1.22%
1999 -5.33% -1.27%
1998 -4.43% 1.07%
1997 -4.48% 2.11%
1996 -8.61% -1%
1995 -3.72% 0.9%
1994 -1.76% -3.61%
1993 -1.22% -3.29%
1992 -4.16% -2.9%
1991 4.14% 3.4%
1990 8.14% 5.61%
1989 - 5.82%
1988 - 3.23%
1987 - 2.03%
1986 - -2.41%
1985 - -1.33%
1984 - 1.25%
1983 - -0.6%
1982 - 0.11%
1981 - -4.29%
1980 - 6.55%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/eswatini | 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 Eswatini's deficit of $66.2M, or 1.36% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Eswatini ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.85% of GDP for Eswatini.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Eswatini
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Eswatini
2024 20.2% -
2023 26.9% -
2022 18.8% -
2021 8.4% -
2020 7.32% -
2019 -0.69% 2.6%
2018 -2.81% 4.82%
2017 16.1% 6.22%
2016 5.56% 7.85%
2015 5.54% 4.95%
2014 4.41% 5.68%
2013 7.94% 5.62%
2012 18.2% 8.94%
2011 9.59% 6.11%
2010 6.49% 4.51%
2009 10.6% 7.45%
2008 24.4% 12.7%
2007 8.41% 8.08%
2006 2.75% 5.3%
2005 13.3% 4.77%
2004 8.18% 3.45%
2003 10.6% 7.29%
2002 -1.37% 12%
2001 9.3% 5.94%
2000 24.4% 12.2%
1999 3.39% 6.09%
1998 12.5% 8.11%
1997 31.1% 7.13%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.9%, compared with 6.86% in Eswatini. In 2019, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 2.6% in Eswatini.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $36K
Miscellaneous $1K
Eswatini
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.46M
Machinery & equipment $10K
Miscellaneous $8K

Balance of trade

Burundi Eswatini
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$78.3M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+1.61%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$2.07B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$2.33B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$542M
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$234M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
53.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
53.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Eswatini
Economic freedom 40.2 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 116/197
Property rights 27.2 42.5
Government integrity 15.5 29.7
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 35.5
Tax burden 76.1 78.6
Government spending 76.3 71
Fiscal health 14.6 87.5
Business freedom 27.2 49.9
Labor freedom 49.9 55.2
Monetary freedom 55.5 76.8
Trade freedom 52.2 73.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Eswatini
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Eswatini
2026 40.2 57.5
2025 39.7 56.4
2024 38.4 55.6
2023 41.9 54.9
2022 39.4 51.4
2021 49.9 55.1
2020 49 55.3
2019 48.9 54.7
2018 50.9 55.9
2017 53.2 61.1
2016 53.9 59.7
2015 53.7 59.9
2014 51.4 61.2
2013 49 57.2
2012 48.1 57.2
2011 49.6 59.1
2010 47.5 57.4
2009 48.8 59.1
2008 46.2 58.4
2007 46.9 60.1
2006 48.7 61.4
2005 - 59.4
2004 - 58.6
2003 - 59.6
2002 - 60.9
2001 - 63.6
2000 42.6 62.6
1999 41.1 62.1
1998 44.7 62
1997 45.4 59.4
1996 - 58.6
1995 - 63.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 57.5 for Eswatini, ranking 116/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Eswatini
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
51.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
34.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
6.48%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$4.46B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$10,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$479M
2023
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
159/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$11.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$75.5M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$63.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
4.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
58.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
15%
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/eswatini | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.