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Economy of Burundi vs Ghana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $82.3B for Ghana, ranking 169/197 and 80/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $57.9B (70.3% of GDP) in Ghana.

Burundi vs Ghana GDP by year

Burundi
Ghana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Ghana
2024 $3,082,433,067 $82,308,110,386
2023 $3,430,949,250 $80,547,146,878
2022 $4,036,192,553 $73,919,003,210
2021 $3,435,598,073 $79,514,204,730
2020 $3,227,847,281 $70,008,243,860
2019 $2,871,555,326 $68,352,629,246
2018 $2,913,411,408 $67,259,353,966
2017 $2,831,362,208 $60,385,409,435
2016 $2,618,093,125 $56,144,179,398
2015 $2,810,532,912 $49,436,806,230
2014 $2,705,826,648 $54,678,533,806
2013 $2,451,624,638 $62,845,721,960
2012 $2,327,402,363 $41,271,701,061
2011 $2,235,812,880 $39,336,668,081
2010 $2,032,135,192 $32,197,655,567
2009 $1,775,495,032 $26,048,720,006
2008 $1,611,835,857 $28,679,383,241
2007 $1,356,199,387 $24,827,339,138
2006 $1,273,375,078 $20,885,037,597
2005 $1,117,113,080 $10,744,568,381
2004 $915,257,323 $8,881,417,907
2003 $784,654,424 $7,632,723,556
2002 $825,394,519 $6,166,197,848
2001 $876,794,723 $5,314,872,854
2000 $870,486,066 $4,982,850,662
1999 $808,077,223 $7,718,109,982
1998 $893,770,740 $7,482,069,162
1997 $972,896,268 $6,891,443,192
1996 $869,033,856 $6,932,991,739
1995 $1,000,428,394 $6,464,382,808
1994 $925,030,590 $5,446,383,727
1993 $938,632,612 $5,968,922,939
1992 $1,083,037,671 $6,416,103,926
1991 $1,167,398,478 $6,603,185,268
1990 $1,132,101,253 $5,889,106,573
1989 $1,113,924,130 $5,251,858,440
1988 $1,082,403,219 $5,197,765,032
1987 $1,131,466,494 $5,074,829,932
1986 $1,201,725,497 $5,735,677,434
1985 $1,149,979,286 $4,504,306,723
1984 $987,143,931 $4,412,279,843
1983 $1,082,926,304 $4,057,275,132
1982 $1,013,222,222 $4,035,994,398
1981 $969,046,667 $4,222,441,860
1980 $919,726,667 $4,445,228,216
1979 $782,496,667 $4,020,227,920
1978 $610,225,556 $3,662,478,185
1977 $547,535,556 $3,189,428,571
1976 $448,412,754 $2,765,254,237
1975 $420,986,667 $2,810,106,383
1974 $345,263,492 $2,894,409,938
1973 $304,339,524 $3,006,766,758
1972 $246,804,571 $2,112,293,280
1971 $252,842,286 $2,417,108,578
1970 $242,732,571 $2,215,028,588
1969 $190,205,714 $1,962,050,556
1968 $183,200,000 $1,666,909,518
1967 $178,297,143 $1,747,187,645
1966 $165,444,571 $2,126,300,672
1965 $158,994,963 $2,053,462,968
1964 $260,750,008 $1,731,296,200
1963 $232,749,998 $1,540,797,589
1962 $213,500,006 $1,382,515,654
1961 $202,999,992 $1,302,674,325
1960 $195,999,990 $1,217,230,095

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Ghana by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Ghana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $2,391 $8,020
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $303 $1,105 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $265 $1,036 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $255.8 $958 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $234.3 $868 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $245.7 $823 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $246.1 $791 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $232.9 $764 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $254.4 $722 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $234.8 $687 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $231.1 $637 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $230.1 $629 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $216.7 $614 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $189.5 $609 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $161.9 $580 $906 $3,103
2005 $147.2 $553 $479 $2,904
2004 $125.2 $552 $406 $2,729
2003 $111.4 $532 $358 $2,584
2002 $121 $545 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $132.2 $528 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $134.5 $519 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $127.5 $523 $403 $2,239
1998 $144.5 $533 $400 $2,167
1997 $160.3 $513 $378 $2,097
1996 $143.2 $513 $389 $2,026
1995 $164.9 $548 $372 $1,947
1994 $161.9 $619 $321 $1,875
1993 $165.3 $634 $360 $1,821
1992 $184.9 $640 $396 $1,739
1991 $204.7 $636 $418 $1,678
1990 $202.6 $598 $383 $1,581
1989 $203.6 - $350 -
1988 $201.7 - $355 -
1987 $215.6 - $355 -
1986 $234.3 - $411 -
1985 $228.4 - $330 -
1984 $200.4 - $330 -
1983 $225.2 - $311 -
1982 $216.4 - $319 -
1981 $212.2 - $344 -
1980 $209.8 - $372 -
1979 $186.2 - $347 -
1978 $148.8 - $326 -
1977 $137.4 - $292.3 -
1976 $115.5 - $261 -
1975 $110.9 - $273 -
1974 $93.2 - $289.4 -
1973 $84.3 - $310 -
1972 $68.2 - $223.8 -
1971 $69.9 - $263.4 -
1970 $68.8 - $248.2 -
1969 $55.1 - $225.8 -
1968 $54.2 - $196.7 -
1967 $54 - $211.2 -
1966 $51.4 - $263.3 -
1965 $50.6 - $260.5 -
1964 $85.3 - $225 -
1963 $78.4 - $205 -
1962 $73.4 - $188.4 -
1961 $71.6 - $181.9 -
1960 $70.9 - $174.9 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $2,391 in Ghana, ranking 151/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020.

Economic indicators

Burundi Ghana
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$82.3B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
80/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
5.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$2,391
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$8,020
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
140/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$57.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
70.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,682
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
123/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,110
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.58B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
1.6%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
22.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
2.87%
2022
Population
14833763
35885254

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Ghana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Ghana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 23.2% 70.3%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 18.5% 79.1%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 27.5% 92.7%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 27.2% 86.9%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 31.5% 79.1%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 22.5% 62.9%
2018 26% 53% 20.9% 62%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 17.6% 57%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 19.9% 55.9%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 18.6% 53.9%
2014 28.5% 38% 21% 50.1%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 21.6% 42.9%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 22.1% 35.5%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 19.5% 31.2%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 19% 32.9%
2009 38% 25.7% 16.6% 25.4%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 16.6% 23.2%
2007 39% 129.6% 16.8% 21.1%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 14.4% 17.3%
2005 33.1% 137% 12.9% 31.7%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 13.7% 38.4%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 12.1% 49.3%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 10.7% 54.1%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 13.8% 57.8%
2000 21.7% 120% 12% 74.5%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 11.1% 51.7%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 11.8% 37.6%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 12% 45.2%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 12.4% 42.9%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 13% 47.6%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 12.7% 50.6%
1993 24% 112% 12.1% 34.1%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 9.2% 21.3%
1991 19.2% - 7.09% 17.3%
1990 17.4% - 6.59% 17.8%
1989 - - 7.24% 23%
1988 - - 7.23% 23.5%
1987 - - 7.32% 26.8%
1986 - - 7.29% 18.2%
1985 - - 6.08% 14.4%
1984 - - 4.64% 13%
1983 - - 3.49% 9.21%
1982 - - 4.73% 8.51%
1981 - - 5.74% 8.77%
1980 - - 7.51% 9.75%
1979 - - 9.14% 11.5%
1978 - - 6.54% 11.4%
1977 - - 10.5% 20.7%
1976 - - 12.8% 26%
1975 - - 13.2% 21.8%
1974 - - 9.52% 21.8%
1973 - - 9.35% 25.4%
1972 - - 11.4% 29.8%
1971 - - 11.7% 29.5%
1970 - - 12.2% 31.9%
1969 - - 11.2% 31.4%
1968 - - 12.3% 34.5%
1967 - - 11.5% 33.9%
1966 - - 9.12% 29.8%
1965 - - 14.2% 30.2%
1964 - - 15.8% 30.8%
1963 - - 15.3% 30.5%
1962 - - 12.5% 11.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Ghana spent $19.1B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 70.3% in Ghana, ranking 101/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Ghana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Ghana
2024 -4.84% -7.31%
2023 -7.7% -3.37%
2022 -10.7% -11.8%
2021 -4.6% -12%
2020 -6.58% -17.4%
2019 -6.4% -7.52%
2018 -6.66% -6.79%
2017 -5.01% -3.97%
2016 -7.11% -6.75%
2015 -7.56% -4.01%
2014 -3.93% -7.81%
2013 -1.9% -9.12%
2012 -3.79% -8.36%
2011 -3.49% -5.47%
2010 -3.64% -7.13%
2009 -5.14% -5.05%
2008 -2.7% -5.56%
2007 -2.51% -4.91%
2006 -9.92% -3.11%
2005 -10.6% -1.87%
2004 -14.9% -2.02%
2003 -13.7% -1.99%
2002 -4.9% -2.73%
2001 -7.78% -3.64%
2000 -5.66% -3.98%
1999 -5.33% -5.64%
1998 -4.43% -5.27%
1997 -4.48% -6.14%
1996 -8.61% -5.61%
1995 -3.72% -4.52%
1994 -1.76% -4.99%
1993 -1.22% -5.39%
1992 -4.16% -4.5%
1991 4.14% -1.47%
1990 8.14% -1.93%
1989 - -0.81%
1988 - -1.08%
1987 - -0.92%
1986 - -1.26%
1985 - -1.19%
1984 - -0.98%
1983 - -1.13%
1982 - -2.03%
1981 - -3.8%
1980 - -4.73%
1979 - -3.61%
1978 - -1.21%
1977 - -4.68%
1976 - -5.53%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -2.06%
1973 - -2.64%
1972 - -2.19%
1971 - 0.13%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -2.32%
1966 - -1.29%
1965 - -3.29%
1964 - -3.72%
1963 - -5.66%
1962 - -5.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/ghana | 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 Ghana's deficit of $6.02B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Ghana ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.69% of GDP for Ghana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Ghana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Ghana
2024 20.2% 22.8%
2023 26.9% 38.1%
2022 18.8% 31.3%
2021 8.4% 9.97%
2020 7.32% 9.89%
2019 -0.69% 7.14%
2018 -2.81% 7.81%
2017 16.1% 12.4%
2016 5.56% 17.5%
2015 5.54% 17.1%
2014 4.41% 15.5%
2013 7.94% 11.7%
2012 18.2% 11.2%
2011 9.59% 8.73%
2010 6.49% 10.7%
2009 10.6% 19.2%
2008 24.4% 16.5%
2007 8.41% 10.7%
2006 2.75% 11.7%
2005 13.3% 15.4%
2004 8.18% 18%
2003 10.6% 29.8%
2002 -1.37% 9.36%
2001 9.3% 41.5%
2000 24.4% 40.2%
1999 3.39% 4.87%
1998 12.5% 14.6%
1997 31.1% 27.9%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 17.6% in Ghana. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 22.8% in Ghana.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Ghana
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $86K
Machinery & equipment $64K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17K

Balance of trade

Burundi Ghana
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+2.04%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$15.4B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$19.2B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$11.5B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$9.27B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
34.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
35.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Ghana
Economic freedom 40.2 57.3
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 118/197
Property rights 27.2 50.2
Government integrity 15.5 45.4
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 57.5
Tax burden 76.1 79.4
Government spending 76.3 84
Fiscal health 14.6 10.1
Business freedom 27.2 64.5
Labor freedom 49.9 54.9
Monetary freedom 55.5 56.7
Trade freedom 52.2 65.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Ghana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Ghana
2026 40.2 57.3
2025 39.7 56
2024 38.4 55.8
2023 41.9 58
2022 39.4 59.8
2021 49.9 59.2
2020 49 59.4
2019 48.9 57.5
2018 50.9 56
2017 53.2 56.2
2016 53.9 63
2015 53.7 63
2014 51.4 64.2
2013 49 61.3
2012 48.1 60.7
2011 49.6 59.4
2010 47.5 60.2
2009 48.8 58.1
2008 46.2 57
2007 46.9 57.6
2006 48.7 55.6
2005 - 56.5
2004 - 59.1
2003 - 58.2
2002 - 57.2
2001 - 58
2000 42.6 58.1
1999 41.1 57.9
1998 44.7 57
1997 45.4 56.7
1996 - 57.7
1995 - 55.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 57.3 for Ghana, ranking 118/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Ghana
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
40.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
31.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
20.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$79.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$7,720
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$3.62B
2023
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
112/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$1.76B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$1.77B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$5.37M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
23.4%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
10%
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/ghana | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2024, 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.