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Economy of Burundi vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 169/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Burundi vs Iran GDP by year

Burundi
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Iran
2024 $3,082,433,067 $475,252,089,215
2023 $3,430,949,250 $457,510,482,317
2022 $4,036,192,553 $422,662,261,526
2021 $3,435,598,073 $407,350,685,583
2020 $3,227,847,281 $280,934,329,280
2019 $2,871,555,326 $347,988,400,958
2018 $2,913,411,408 $411,903,303,606
2017 $2,831,362,208 $510,239,893,418
2016 $2,618,093,125 $478,618,064,871
2015 $2,810,532,912 $409,191,686,497
2014 $2,705,826,648 $462,284,793,281
2013 $2,451,624,638 $500,399,839,840
2012 $2,327,402,363 $644,019,315,004
2011 $2,235,812,880 $629,082,257,472
2010 $2,032,135,192 $487,069,570,464
2009 $1,775,495,032 $414,059,094,949
2008 $1,611,835,857 $406,070,949,554
2007 $1,356,199,387 $349,736,591,832
2006 $1,273,375,078 $265,602,187,404
2005 $1,117,113,080 $224,970,371,325
2004 $915,257,323 $187,754,571,248
2003 $784,654,424 $151,911,222,119
2002 $825,394,519 $128,626,917,504
2001 $876,794,723 $126,878,750,296
2000 $870,486,066 $109,591,707,802
1999 $808,077,223 $113,848,450,088
1998 $893,770,740 $110,276,913,363
1997 $972,896,268 $113,919,163,421
1996 $869,033,856 $120,403,931,885
1995 $1,000,428,394 $96,419,225,744
1994 $925,030,590 $71,841,461,173
1993 $938,632,612 $63,743,623,232
1992 $1,083,037,671 $119,768,691,217
1991 $1,167,398,478 $131,637,664,958
1990 $1,132,101,253 $124,813,263,926
1989 $1,113,924,130 $120,496,362,916
1988 $1,082,403,219 $123,057,861,334
1987 $1,131,466,494 $134,009,995,923
1986 $1,201,725,497 $209,094,561,833
1985 $1,149,979,286 $180,183,629,600
1984 $987,143,931 $162,276,728,620
1983 $1,082,926,304 $156,365,156,618
1982 $1,013,222,222 $125,948,756,439
1981 $969,046,667 $100,499,312,750
1980 $919,726,667 $94,362,275,580
1979 $782,496,667 $90,391,877,326
1978 $610,225,556 $77,994,316,621
1977 $547,535,556 $80,600,122,702
1976 $448,412,754 $68,055,295,081
1975 $420,986,667 $51,776,222,350
1974 $345,263,492 $46,209,092,072
1973 $304,339,524 $27,081,698,250
1972 $246,804,571 $17,153,463,263
1971 $252,842,286 $13,731,802,833
1970 $242,732,571 $10,976,245,154
1969 $190,205,714 $9,743,089,607
1968 $183,200,000 $8,623,172,960
1967 $178,297,143 $7,555,383,690
1966 $165,444,571 $6,789,938,672
1965 $158,994,963 $6,197,319,929
1964 $260,750,008 $5,379,845,648
1963 $232,749,998 $4,928,628,018
1962 $213,500,006 $4,693,566,416
1961 $202,999,992 $4,426,949,095
1960 $195,999,990 $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Iran by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $303 $1,105 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $265 $1,036 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $255.8 $958 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $234.3 $868 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $245.7 $823 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $246.1 $791 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $232.9 $764 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $254.4 $722 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $250.5 $724 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $234.8 $687 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $231.1 $637 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $230.1 $629 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $216.7 $614 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $198.4 $605 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $189.5 $609 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $166.2 $594 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $161.9 $580 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $147.2 $553 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $125.2 $552 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $111.4 $532 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $121 $545 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $134.5 $519 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $127.5 $523 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $144.5 $533 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $160.3 $513 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $143.2 $513 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $164.9 $548 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $161.9 $619 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $165.3 $634 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $184.9 $640 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $204.7 $636 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $202.6 $598 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $203.6 - $2,125 -
1988 $201.7 - $2,234 -
1987 $215.6 - $2,513 -
1986 $234.3 - $4,064 -
1985 $228.4 - $3,634 -
1984 $200.4 - $3,395 -
1983 $225.2 - $3,397 -
1982 $216.4 - $2,845 -
1981 $212.2 - $2,393 -
1980 $209.8 - $2,368 -
1979 $186.2 - $2,352 -
1978 $148.8 - $2,101 -
1977 $137.4 - $2,243 -
1976 $115.5 - $1,954 -
1975 $110.9 - $1,532 -
1974 $93.2 - $1,409 -
1973 $84.3 - $851 -
1972 $68.2 - $555 -
1971 $69.9 - $457 -
1970 $68.8 - $377 -
1969 $55.1 - $345 -
1968 $54.2 - $314 -
1967 $54 - $283.7 -
1966 $51.4 - $262.9 -
1965 $50.6 - $247.5 -
1964 $85.3 - $221.7 -
1963 $78.4 - $209.6 -
1962 $73.4 - $205.8 -
1961 $71.6 - $200.1 -
1960 $70.9 - $195.6 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Burundi Iran
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$475B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
34/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
7.63%
2024
Population
14833763
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 14.2% 34%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 26% 53% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 28.5% 38% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 38% 25.7% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 39% 129.6% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 33.1% 137% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 13.6% 21%
2000 21.7% 120% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 17.4% 30.9%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 17.3% 29.3%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 21% 31.2%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 23% 41.7%
1993 24% 112% 27.2% 25.6%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 14.4% 25.2%
1991 19.2% - 14% 29.3%
1990 17.4% - 16.4% 37%
1989 - - 20% 48.8%
1988 - - 23.6% 53.2%
1987 - - 18.6% 48.6%
1986 - - 19% 47.4%
1985 - - 21.6% 8.73%
1984 - - 23.7% 10%
1983 - - 27.5% 35.7%
1982 - - 29.7% 47.7%
1981 - - 33.7% 47.6%
1980 - - 35.8% 35.5%
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - 9.23%
1976 - - - 6.92%
1975 - - - 8.81%
1974 - - - 6.68%
1973 - - - 12.8%
1972 - - - 12.7%
1971 - - - 14.2%
1970 - - - 14.1%
1969 - - - -
1968 - - 23.6% -
1967 - - 22.3% -
1966 - - 20.5% -
1965 - - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 - - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 - - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 - - 15.6% 13.4%

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/iran | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 34% in Iran, ranking 101/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Iran
2024 -4.84% -3.83%
2023 -7.7% -2.54%
2022 -10.7% -2.64%
2021 -4.6% -3.01%
2020 -6.58% -4.87%
2019 -6.4% -4.3%
2018 -6.66% -1.59%
2017 -5.01% -1.55%
2016 -7.11% -1.7%
2015 -7.56% -1.3%
2014 -3.93% -0.91%
2013 -1.9% -0.72%
2012 -3.79% -0.5%
2011 -3.49% -0.66%
2010 -3.64% -0.84%
2009 -5.14% -3.3%
2008 -2.7% -4.39%
2007 -2.51% -2.41%
2006 -9.92% -4.91%
2005 -10.6% -2.44%
2004 -14.9% -2.45%
2003 -13.7% -2.76%
2002 -4.9% -2.88%
2001 -7.78% 0.02%
2000 -5.66% 5.42%
1999 -5.33% -0.51%
1998 -4.43% -5.03%
1997 -4.48% -1.81%
1996 -8.61% -0.75%
1995 -3.72% -2.63%
1994 -1.76% -3.36%
1993 -1.22% -5.15%
1992 -4.16% -0.86%
1991 4.14% -1.64%
1990 8.14% -1.73%
1989 - -4.45%
1988 - -10.3%
1987 - -6.84%
1986 - -7.84%
1985 - -3.74%
1984 - -4.02%
1983 - -6.15%
1982 - -5.55%
1981 - -10.7%
1980 - -14.2%
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -4.57%
1967 - -4%
1966 - -2.63%
1965 - -1.23%
1964 - -0.04%
1963 - 0.26%
1962 - -1.39%

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/iran | 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 Iran's deficit of $18.2B, or 3.83% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.13% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Iran
2024 20.2% 32.5%
2023 26.9% 44.6%
2022 18.8% 43.5%
2021 8.4% 43.4%
2020 7.32% 30.6%
2019 -0.69% 39.9%
2018 -2.81% 18%
2017 16.1% 8.04%
2016 5.56% 7.25%
2015 5.54% 12.5%
2014 4.41% 16.6%
2013 7.94% 36.6%
2012 18.2% 27.3%
2011 9.59% 26.3%
2010 6.49% 10.1%
2009 10.6% 13.6%
2008 24.4% 25.4%
2007 8.41% 17.3%
2006 2.75% 10%
2005 13.3% 13.4%
2004 8.18% 14.8%
2003 10.6% 16.5%
2002 -1.37% 14.3%
2001 9.3% 11.3%
2000 24.4% 14.5%
1999 3.39% 20.1%
1998 12.5% 17.9%
1997 31.1% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 21.6% in Iran. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 32.5% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $18K

Balance of trade

Burundi Iran
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$361M
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$121M
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
23.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Iran
Economic freedom 40.2 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 185/197
Property rights 27.2 20.2
Government integrity 15.5 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 18.7
Tax burden 76.1 81.3
Government spending 76.3 94.7
Fiscal health 14.6 83.3
Business freedom 27.2 37.4
Labor freedom 49.9 41.8
Monetary freedom 55.5 42.2
Trade freedom 52.2 55.8
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 30 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Iran
2026 40.2 41.8
2025 39.7 42.5
2024 38.4 41.2
2023 41.9 42.2
2022 39.4 42.4
2021 49.9 47.2
2020 49 49.2
2019 48.9 51.1
2018 50.9 50.9
2017 53.2 50.5
2016 53.9 43.5
2015 53.7 41.8
2014 51.4 40.3
2013 49 43.2
2012 48.1 42.3
2011 49.6 42.1
2010 47.5 43.4
2009 48.8 44.6
2008 46.2 45
2007 46.9 45
2006 48.7 45
2005 - 50.5
2004 - 42.8
2003 - 43.2
2002 - 36.4
2001 - 35.9
2000 42.6 36.1
1999 41.1 36.8
1998 44.7 36
1997 45.4 34.5
1996 - 36.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 41.8 for Iran, ranking 185/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Iran
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
44.3%
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/iran | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1996–2026, 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)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.