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Economy of Burundi vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Burundi has a GDP of $3.36B compared to $126B for Ethiopia, ranking 169/197 and 66/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.39B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $54.4B (43.1% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Burundi vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Burundi
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Ethiopia
2025 $3,364,713,864 $126,358,758,448
2024 $3,037,579,858 $149,740,297,952
2023 $3,419,558,408 $135,874,093,203
2022 $4,020,736,757 $123,140,304,665
2021 $3,425,127,991 $109,070,960,371
2020 $3,188,355,944 $98,676,811,062
2019 $2,871,555,326 $91,834,517,114
2018 $2,913,411,408 $83,337,901,072
2017 $2,831,362,208 $76,366,081,767
2016 $2,618,093,125 $68,475,871,210
2015 $2,810,532,912 $62,103,418,182
2014 $2,705,826,648 $55,612,228,234
2013 $2,451,624,638 $47,648,276,605
2012 $2,327,402,363 $43,310,721,414
2011 $2,235,812,880 $31,952,763,089
2010 $2,032,135,192 $29,933,790,334
2009 $1,775,495,032 $32,437,389,116
2008 $1,611,835,857 $27,066,912,635
2007 $1,356,199,387 $19,707,616,773
2006 $1,273,375,078 $15,280,861,835
2005 $1,117,113,080 $12,401,139,454
2004 $915,257,323 $10,131,187,261
2003 $784,654,424 $8,623,691,300
2002 $825,394,519 $7,850,809,498
2001 $876,794,723 $8,231,326,016
2000 $870,486,066 $8,242,349,618
1999 $808,077,223 $7,892,973,532
1998 $893,770,740 $8,013,274,132
1997 $972,896,268 $8,803,539,988
1996 $869,033,856 $8,761,215,548
1995 $1,000,428,394 $7,855,205,207
1994 $925,030,590 $7,100,806,754
1993 $938,632,612 $9,051,043,870
1992 $1,083,037,671 $10,754,799,037
1991 $1,167,398,478 $13,799,799,324
1990 $1,132,101,253 $12,478,943,895
1989 $1,113,924,130 $11,762,932,007
1988 $1,082,403,219 $11,181,119,718
1987 $1,131,466,494 $10,790,001,558
1986 $1,201,725,497 $10,094,328,898
1985 $1,149,979,286 $9,717,392,687
1984 $987,143,931 $8,298,309,581
1983 $1,082,926,304 $8,781,664,427
1982 $1,013,222,222 $7,899,988,841
1981 $969,046,667 $7,507,663,567
1980 $919,726,667 $7,012,585,454
1979 $782,496,667 $6,586,048,398
1978 $610,225,556 $6,014,961,435
1977 $547,535,556 $5,651,840,585
1976 $448,412,754 $4,943,806,093
1975 $420,986,667 $4,577,047,854
1974 $345,263,492 $4,577,209,966
1973 $304,339,524 $4,070,570,550
1972 $246,804,571 $3,520,252,938
1971 $252,842,286 $3,224,280,835
1970 $242,732,571 $3,045,354,455
1969 $190,205,714 $2,768,987,372
1968 $183,200,000 $2,619,948,865
1967 $178,297,143 $2,461,762,003
1966 $165,444,571 $2,324,466,416
1965 $158,994,963 $2,159,998,591
1964 $260,750,008 $1,984,129,186
1963 $232,749,998 $1,825,058,828
1962 $213,500,006 $1,747,566,307
1961 $202,999,992 $1,680,859,514
1960 $195,999,990 $1,610,511,694

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Ethiopia by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $233.8 - $933 -
2024 $216.2 $1,195 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $249.8 $1,150 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $302 $1,105 $982 $2,845
2021 $264.2 $1,036 $893 $2,588
2020 $252.7 $958 $830 $2,407
2019 $234.3 $868 $793 $2,242
2018 $245.7 $823 $740 $2,095
2017 $246.1 $791 $696 $2,005
2016 $232.9 $764 $642 $1,858
2015 $254.4 $722 $598 $1,633
2014 $250.5 $724 $550 $1,485
2013 $234.8 $687 $484 $1,253
2012 $231.1 $637 $452 $1,179
2011 $230.1 $629 $343 $1,098
2010 $216.7 $614 $331 $996
2009 $198.4 $605 $369 $899
2008 $189.5 $609 $316 $845
2007 $166.2 $594 $237.1 $770
2006 $161.9 $580 $189.3 $693
2005 $147.2 $553 $158.2 $625
2004 $125.2 $552 $133.2 $558
2003 $111.4 $532 $116.8 $493
2002 $121 $545 $109.6 $509
2001 $132.2 $528 $118.5 $509
2000 $134.5 $519 $122.3 $474
1999 $127.5 $523 $120.7 $450
1998 $144.5 $533 $126.5 $436
1997 $160.3 $513 $143.4 $461
1996 $143.2 $513 $147.3 $453
1995 $164.9 $548 $136.5 $409
1994 $161.9 $619 $127.7 $391
1993 $165.3 $634 $168.5 $384
1992 $184.9 $640 $207.4 $343
1991 $204.7 $636 $277.6 $383
1990 $202.6 $598 $262.1 $417
1989 $203.6 - $256.4 -
1988 $201.7 - $253.2 -
1987 $215.6 - $254.1 -
1986 $234.3 - $246 -
1985 $228.4 - $243.9 -
1984 $200.4 - $214.2 -
1983 $225.2 - $232.7 -
1982 $216.4 - $215.3 -
1981 $212.2 - $212.7 -
1980 $209.8 - $203.7 -
1979 $186.2 - $192.4 -
1978 $148.8 - $178.3 -
1977 $137.4 - $170.4 -
1976 $115.5 - $152 -
1975 $110.9 - $144.3 -
1974 $93.2 - $147.9 -
1973 $84.3 - $134.9 -
1972 $68.2 - $119.8 -
1971 $69.9 - $112.7 -
1970 $68.8 - $109.4 -
1969 $55.1 - $102.3 -
1968 $54.2 - $99.5 -
1967 $54 - $96.1 -
1966 $51.4 - $93.2 -
1965 $50.6 - $88.9 -
1964 $85.3 - $83.8 -
1963 $78.4 - $79.2 -
1962 $73.4 - $77.8 -
1961 $71.6 - $76.7 -
1960 $70.9 - $75.3 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $233.8, ranking 197/197, compared to $933 in Ethiopia, ranking 182/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Burundi Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$3.36B
2025
$126B
2025
GDP rank
169/197
2025
66/197
2025
GDP growth
4.24%
2024-2025
9.77%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$233.8
2025
$933
2025
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2025
182/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$1.39B
2025
$54.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2025
43.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$96.3
2025
$402
2025
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2025
172/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,052
2026
$2,030
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2025
12%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
34.1%
2024-2025
13.2%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
3.94%
2021
Population
14909238
140722974

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.4% 41.2% 12% 43.1%
2024 22.3% 53.1% 9.54% 33.4%
2023 28.4% 59.9% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 33.5% 69.8% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 28.4% 63.6% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 14.5% 53.2%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 26% 53% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 18% 55.3%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 28.5% 38% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 38% 25.7% 17.1% 30%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 39% 129.6% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 33.1% 137% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 27% 103.7%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 21.7% 120% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 26.8% 97.8%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 21.1% 89.3%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 17.9% 80.3%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 18.8% 132.8%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 17.4% 146.6%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 17.6% 155.2%
1993 24% 112% 13.8% 141%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 14.2% 87.9%
1991 19.2% - 17.3% 89.3%
1990 17.4% - 20.9% 91.6%
1989 - - 24% 84.7%
1988 - - 21.6% 84.3%
1987 - - 18.4% 82.3%
1986 - - 19.8% 75.7%
1985 - - 19.7% 67.7%
1984 - - 18.8% 65.4%
1983 - - 21.3% 55.2%
1982 - - 16.4% 48.8%
1981 - - 14.2% 30.6%
1980 - - 13.5% 18.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government spending was $686M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $15.2B, or 12% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Burundi and 43.1% in Ethiopia, ranking 129/185 and 122/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Ethiopia
2025 -2.98% -1.19%
2024 -4.83% -1.99%
2023 -7.7% -2.6%
2022 -10.7% -4.16%
2021 -4.6% -2.77%
2020 -6.58% -2.76%
2019 -6.4% -2.53%
2018 -6.66% -3.03%
2017 -5.01% -3.24%
2016 -7.11% -2.3%
2015 -7.56% -1.95%
2014 -3.93% -2.58%
2013 -1.9% -1.93%
2012 -3.79% -1.17%
2011 -3.49% -1.61%
2010 -3.64% -1.32%
2009 -5.14% -0.93%
2008 -2.7% -2.88%
2007 -2.51% -3.57%
2006 -9.92% -3.79%
2005 -10.6% -4.12%
2004 -14.9% -2.65%
2003 -13.7% -5.59%
2002 -4.9% -5.76%
2001 -7.78% -3.76%
2000 -5.66% -8.88%
1999 -5.33% -8.54%
1998 -4.43% -3.65%
1997 -4.48% -1.76%
1996 -8.61% -3.93%
1995 -3.72% -2.76%
1994 -1.76% -5.39%
1993 -1.22% -4.12%
1992 -4.16% -4.92%
1991 4.14% -6%
1990 8.14% -6.86%
1989 - -4.33%
1988 - -3.48%
1987 - -3.54%
1986 - -3.98%
1985 - -4.71%
1984 - -3.69%
1983 - -7.59%
1982 - -3.6%
1981 - -2.19%
1980 - -2.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/ethiopia | 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 Ethiopia's deficit of $1.5B, or 1.19% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.53% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Ethiopia
2025 34.1% 13.2%
2024 20.2% 21%
2023 26.9% 30.2%
2022 18.8% 33.9%
2021 8.4% 26.8%
2020 7.32% 20.4%
2019 -0.69% 15.8%
2018 -2.81% 13.8%
2017 16.1% 10.7%
2016 5.56% 6.63%
2015 5.54% 9.57%
2014 4.41% 6.89%
2013 7.94% 7.46%
2012 18.2% 23.6%
2011 9.59% 33.2%
2010 6.49% 8.15%
2009 10.6% 8.48%
2008 24.4% 44.4%
2007 8.41% 17.2%
2006 2.75% 12.3%
2005 13.3% 9.97%
2004 8.18% 3.33%
2003 10.6% 13.7%
2002 -1.37% 0.68%
2001 9.3% -8.24%
2000 24.4% 0.66%
1999 3.39% 7.94%
1998 12.5% 0.89%
1997 31.1% 2.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2025, inflation was 34.1% in Burundi and 13.2% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.84M
Machinery & equipment $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $144K
Chemicals & pharma $89K
Machinery & equipment $76K
Animal & marine products $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Burundi Ethiopia
Current account balance
-$461M
2025
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2025
154/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.7%
2025
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$1.1B
2025
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$407M
2025
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$406M
2025
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$148M
2025
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
20.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Ethiopia
Economic freedom 40.2 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 171/197
Property rights 27.2 22.1
Government integrity 15.5 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 19.1
Tax burden 76.1 78.6
Government spending 76.3 96.4
Fiscal health 14.6 84.3
Business freedom 27.2 44.5
Labor freedom 49.9 37.8
Monetary freedom 55.5 53.7
Trade freedom 52.2 57.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Ethiopia
2026 40.2 48.1
2025 39.7 48.1
2024 38.4 47.9
2023 41.9 48.3
2022 39.4 49.6
2021 49.9 51.7
2020 49 53.6
2019 48.9 53.6
2018 50.9 52.8
2017 53.2 52.7
2016 53.9 51.5
2015 53.7 51.5
2014 51.4 50
2013 49 49.4
2012 48.1 52
2011 49.6 50.5
2010 47.5 51.2
2009 48.8 53
2008 46.2 52.5
2007 46.9 53.6
2006 48.7 50.9
2005 - 51.1
2004 - 54.5
2003 - 48.8
2002 - 49.8
2001 - 48.9
2000 42.6 50.2
1999 41.1 46.7
1998 44.7 49.2
1997 45.4 48.1
1996 - 45.9
1995 - 42.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 48.1 for Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2025
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2025
27.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2025
32.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.46B
2025
$151B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,250
2025
$3,620
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
113/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$31.2M
2025
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.18%
2024
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
20.1%
2025

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/ethiopia | CC BY

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.