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Economy of Burundi vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 169/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Burundi vs Iceland GDP by year

Burundi
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Iceland
2024 $3,082,433,067 $33,255,181,469
2023 $3,430,949,250 $31,677,891,897
2022 $4,036,192,553 $29,166,102,877
2021 $3,435,598,073 $26,234,872,402
2020 $3,227,847,281 $22,034,665,041
2019 $2,871,555,326 $24,985,687,022
2018 $2,913,411,408 $26,677,652,544
2017 $2,831,362,208 $25,060,086,488
2016 $2,618,093,125 $21,083,713,310
2015 $2,810,532,912 $17,700,486,957
2014 $2,705,826,648 $18,052,183,515
2013 $2,451,624,638 $16,244,319,959
2012 $2,327,402,363 $14,943,757,823
2011 $2,235,812,880 $15,394,005,872
2010 $2,032,135,192 $13,922,711,577
2009 $1,775,495,032 $13,212,543,838
2008 $1,611,835,857 $18,247,921,360
2007 $1,356,199,387 $21,960,110,030
2006 $1,273,375,078 $17,671,649,843
2005 $1,117,113,080 $17,146,410,561
2004 $915,257,323 $13,963,943,244
2003 $784,654,424 $11,564,687,742
2002 $825,394,519 $9,416,199,700
2001 $876,794,723 $8,323,401,820
2000 $870,486,066 $9,140,168,922
1999 $808,077,223 $9,107,644,691
1998 $893,770,740 $8,637,732,542
1997 $972,896,268 $7,716,781,803
1996 $869,033,856 $7,686,566,105
1995 $1,000,428,394 $7,372,640,169
1994 $925,030,590 $6,612,804,056
1993 $938,632,612 $6,435,952,174
1992 $1,083,037,671 $7,328,497,599
1991 $1,167,398,478 $7,151,260,062
1990 $1,132,101,253 $6,694,851,159
1989 $1,113,924,130 $5,870,854,233
1988 $1,082,403,219 $6,320,093,411
1987 $1,131,466,494 $5,713,281,235
1986 $1,201,725,497 $4,129,080,094
1985 $1,149,979,286 $3,088,359,967
1984 $987,143,931 $2,964,568,006
1983 $1,082,926,304 $2,862,634,164
1982 $1,013,222,222 $3,318,714,326
1981 $969,046,667 $3,615,094,820
1980 $919,726,667 $3,499,616,683
1979 $782,496,667 $2,953,176,971
1978 $610,225,556 $2,599,627,089
1977 $547,535,556 $2,285,707,749
1976 $448,412,754 $1,727,845,419
1975 $420,986,667 $1,456,052,700
1974 $345,263,492 $1,568,154,077
1973 $304,339,524 $1,194,794,186
1972 $246,804,571 $869,002,946
1971 $252,842,286 $693,679,545
1970 $242,732,571 $545,115,909
1969 $190,205,714 $435,659,610
1968 $183,200,000 $498,365,200
1967 $178,297,143 $652,609,076
1966 $165,444,571 $660,663,763
1965 $158,994,963 $550,150,988
1964 $260,750,008 $456,206,299
1963 $232,749,998 $357,240,896
1962 $213,500,006 $299,309,938
1961 $202,999,992 $266,711,460
1960 $195,999,990 $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Iceland by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $303 $1,105 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $265 $1,036 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $255.8 $958 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $234.3 $868 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $245.7 $823 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $246.1 $791 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $232.9 $764 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $254.4 $722 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $250.5 $724 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $234.8 $687 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $231.1 $637 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $230.1 $629 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $216.7 $614 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $198.4 $605 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $189.5 $609 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $166.2 $594 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $161.9 $580 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $147.2 $553 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $125.2 $552 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $111.4 $532 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $121 $545 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $132.2 $528 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $134.5 $519 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $127.5 $523 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $144.5 $533 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $160.3 $513 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $143.2 $513 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $164.9 $548 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $161.9 $619 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $165.3 $634 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $184.9 $640 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $204.7 $636 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $202.6 $598 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $203.6 - $23,219 -
1988 $201.7 - $25,307 -
1987 $215.6 - $23,238 -
1986 $234.3 - $16,980 -
1985 $228.4 - $12,793 -
1984 $200.4 - $12,378 -
1983 $225.2 - $12,080 -
1982 $216.4 - $14,191 -
1981 $212.2 - $15,666 -
1980 $209.8 - $15,340 -
1979 $186.2 - $13,082 -
1978 $148.8 - $11,630 -
1977 $137.4 - $10,305 -
1976 $115.5 - $7,848 -
1975 $110.9 - $6,680 -
1974 $93.2 - $7,287 -
1973 $84.3 - $5,627 -
1972 $68.2 - $4,155 -
1971 $69.9 - $3,366 -
1970 $68.8 - $2,666 -
1969 $55.1 - $2,142 -
1968 $54.2 - $2,473 -
1967 $54 - $3,284 -
1966 $51.4 - $3,378 -
1965 $50.6 - $2,861 -
1964 $85.3 - $2,414 -
1963 $78.4 - $1,924 -
1962 $73.4 - $1,641 -
1961 $71.6 - $1,490 -
1960 $70.9 - $1,486 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Burundi Iceland
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
3.56%
2024
Population
14833763
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 45% 61.5%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 43% 65.7%
2018 26% 53% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 43% 96.3%
2014 28.5% 38% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 50% 136.6%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 38% 25.7% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 39% 129.6% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 33.1% 137% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 45% 81.3%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 21.7% 120% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 41.3% 51.1%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 43.9% 55.6%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 44.4% 58.1%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 45% 54.8%
1993 24% 112% 45.1% 52.3%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 44.7% 45.4%
1991 19.2% - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 17.4% - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 101/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Iceland
2024 -4.84% -3.51%
2023 -7.7% -2.28%
2022 -10.7% -3.93%
2021 -4.6% -8.33%
2020 -6.58% -8.73%
2019 -6.4% -1.57%
2018 -6.66% 0.94%
2017 -5.01% 0.97%
2016 -7.11% 12.4%
2015 -7.56% -0.39%
2014 -3.93% 0.29%
2013 -1.9% -1.24%
2012 -3.79% -2.59%
2011 -3.49% -6.46%
2010 -3.64% -6.58%
2009 -5.14% -8.54%
2008 -2.7% -12%
2007 -2.51% 5.52%
2006 -9.92% 6.37%
2005 -10.6% 4.92%
2004 -14.9% 0.28%
2003 -13.7% -2.3%
2002 -4.9% -2.25%
2001 -7.78% -0.28%
2000 -5.66% 1.43%
1999 -5.33% 1.3%
1998 -4.43% -0.56%
1997 -4.48% 0.04%
1996 -8.61% -1.52%
1995 -3.72% -2.87%
1994 -1.76% -4.59%
1993 -1.22% -4.36%
1992 -4.16% -1.86%
1991 4.14% -0.66%
1990 8.14% -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.6% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Iceland
2024 20.2% 5.86%
2023 26.9% 8.74%
2022 18.8% 8.31%
2021 8.4% 4.44%
2020 7.32% 2.85%
2019 -0.69% 3.01%
2018 -2.81% 2.68%
2017 16.1% 1.76%
2016 5.56% 1.7%
2015 5.54% 1.63%
2014 4.41% 2.04%
2013 7.94% 3.87%
2012 18.2% 5.19%
2011 9.59% 4%
2010 6.49% 5.4%
2009 10.6% 12%
2008 24.4% 12.7%
2007 8.41% 5.05%
2006 2.75% 6.69%
2005 13.3% 3.99%
2004 8.18% 3.16%
2003 10.6% 2.06%
2002 -1.37% 5.2%
2001 9.3% 6.41%
2000 24.4% 5.14%
1999 3.39% 3.23%
1998 12.5% 1.66%
1997 31.1% 1.82%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 5.86% in Iceland.

Balance of trade

Burundi Iceland
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Iceland
Economic freedom 40.2 75
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 19/197
Property rights 27.2 94.9
Government integrity 15.5 85
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 95.2
Tax burden 76.1 72.2
Government spending 76.3 37
Fiscal health 14.6 76.2
Business freedom 27.2 86.8
Labor freedom 49.9 59.3
Monetary freedom 55.5 73.5
Trade freedom 52.2 79.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 30 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Iceland
2026 40.2 75
2025 39.7 72.8
2024 38.4 70.5
2023 41.9 72.2
2022 39.4 77
2021 49.9 77.4
2020 49 77.1
2019 48.9 77.1
2018 50.9 77
2017 53.2 74.4
2016 53.9 73.3
2015 53.7 72
2014 51.4 72.4
2013 49 72.1
2012 48.1 70.9
2011 49.6 68.2
2010 47.5 73.7
2009 48.8 75.9
2008 46.2 75.8
2007 46.9 76
2006 48.7 75.8
2005 - 76.6
2004 - 72.1
2003 - 73.5
2002 - 73.1
2001 - 73.4
2000 42.6 74
1999 41.1 71.4
1998 44.7 71.2
1997 45.4 70.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Iceland
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
26.1%
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/iceland | 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 (1909–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.