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Economy of Burundi vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 169/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Burundi vs Iraq GDP by year

Burundi
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Iraq
2024 $3,082,433,067 $279,641,257,615
2023 $3,430,949,250 $268,881,051,644
2022 $4,036,192,553 $287,372,232,138
2021 $3,435,598,073 $209,691,945,713
2020 $3,227,847,281 $180,898,797,517
2019 $2,871,555,326 $233,636,097,800
2018 $2,913,411,408 $227,367,469,034
2017 $2,831,362,208 $187,217,660,051
2016 $2,618,093,125 $166,743,557,748
2015 $2,810,532,912 $166,774,104,959
2014 $2,705,826,648 $228,415,656,175
2013 $2,451,624,638 $234,637,675,129
2012 $2,327,402,363 $218,002,476,129
2011 $2,235,812,880 $185,749,664,444
2010 $2,032,135,192 $138,516,722,650
2009 $1,775,495,032 $111,657,580,326
2008 $1,611,835,857 $131,614,434,154
2007 $1,356,199,387 $88,837,057,320
2006 $1,273,375,078 $65,147,051,918
2005 $1,117,113,080 $50,065,104,668
2004 $915,257,323 $36,633,669,269
2003 $784,654,424 $21,921,569,479
2002 $825,394,519 $32,928,454,672
2001 $876,794,723 $36,176,430,129
2000 $870,486,066 $48,364,250,944
1999 $808,077,223 $36,881,601,584
1998 $893,770,740 $20,617,405,044
1997 $972,896,268 $20,764,857,056
1996 $869,033,856 $10,433,698,621
1995 $1,000,428,394 $12,894,029,888
1994 $925,030,590 $3,991,349,283
1993 $938,632,612 $1,031,944,881
1992 $1,083,037,671 $553,671,958
1991 $1,167,398,478 $407,796,350
1990 $1,132,101,253 $180,408,064,516
1989 $1,113,924,130 $65,831,935,484
1988 $1,082,403,219 $62,684,516,129
1987 $1,131,466,494 $56,774,193,548
1986 $1,201,725,497 $47,264,516,129
1985 $1,149,979,286 $48,425,161,290
1984 $987,143,931 $46,938,387,097
1983 $1,082,926,304 $40,712,903,226
1982 $1,013,222,222 $42,382,333,333
1981 $969,046,667 $37,823,000,000
1980 $919,726,667 $52,569,000,000
1979 $782,496,667 $37,816,457,839
1978 $610,225,556 $23,762,275,652
1977 $547,535,556 $19,838,130,715
1976 $448,412,754 $17,754,825,601
1975 $420,986,667 $13,458,516,763
1974 $345,263,492 $11,516,762,614
1973 $304,339,524 $5,134,367,778
1972 $246,804,571 $4,113,848,002
1971 $252,842,286 $3,865,346,535
1970 $242,732,571 $3,281,318,687
1969 $190,205,714 $3,007,758,797
1968 $183,200,000 $2,896,598,841
1967 $178,297,143 $2,551,522,656
1966 $165,444,571 $2,530,306,096
1965 $158,994,963 $2,335,785,506
1964 $260,750,008 $2,136,408,198
1963 $232,749,998 $1,805,901,510
1962 $213,500,006 $1,784,174,541
1961 $202,999,992 $1,671,960,965
1960 $195,999,990 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Iraq by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $303 $1,105 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $265 $1,036 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $255.8 $958 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $234.3 $868 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $245.7 $823 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $246.1 $791 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $232.9 $764 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $254.4 $722 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $250.5 $724 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $234.8 $687 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $231.1 $637 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $230.1 $629 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $216.7 $614 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $198.4 $605 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $189.5 $609 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $166.2 $594 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $161.9 $580 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $147.2 $553 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $125.2 $552 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $111.4 $532 $818 $6,068
2002 $121 $545 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $134.5 $519 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $127.5 $523 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $144.5 $533 $901 $7,964
1997 $160.3 $513 $936 $6,020
1996 $143.2 $513 $485 $5,034
1995 $164.9 $548 $619 $4,598
1994 $161.9 $619 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $165.3 $634 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $184.9 $640 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $204.7 $636 $23 $2,694
1990 $202.6 $598 $10,261 -
1989 $203.6 - $3,791 -
1988 $201.7 - $3,707 -
1987 $215.6 - $3,436 -
1986 $234.3 - $2,940 -
1985 $228.4 - $3,088 -
1984 $200.4 - $3,066 -
1983 $225.2 - $2,743 -
1982 $216.4 - $2,942 -
1981 $212.2 - $2,700 -
1980 $209.8 - $3,868 -
1979 $186.2 - $2,871 -
1978 $148.8 - $1,863 -
1977 $137.4 - $1,609 -
1976 $115.5 - $1,489 -
1975 $110.9 - $1,166 -
1974 $93.2 - $1,031 -
1973 $84.3 - $476 -
1972 $68.2 - $394 -
1971 $69.9 - $384 -
1970 $68.8 - $337 -
1969 $55.1 - $320 -
1968 $54.2 - $319 -
1967 $54 - $290.6 -
1966 $51.4 - $298.2 -
1965 $50.6 - $284.8 -
1964 $85.3 - $269.4 -
1963 $78.4 - $235.5 -
1962 $73.4 - $240.7 -
1961 $71.6 - $232.4 -
1960 $70.9 - $218.9 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Burundi Iraq
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$5,928
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
-12.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
16.2%
2021
Population
14833763
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 33.9% 39%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 26% 53% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 28.5% 38% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 48.2% 32%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 38% 25.7% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 39% 129.6% 44% 117.1%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 33.1% 137% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 91.5% 344%
2003 33.9% 159.9% - -
2002 21.9% 144.8% - -
2001 22.7% 113.6% - -
2000 21.7% 120% - -
1999 20.5% 140.6% - -
1998 19.9% 138.9% - -
1997 18.8% 122.8% - -
1996 24.4% 139.4% - -
1995 22.1% 117.1% - -
1994 19.4% 119.6% - -
1993 24% 112% - -
1992 26.1% 93.5% - -
1991 19.2% - - -
1990 17.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 101/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Iraq
2024 -4.84% -4.14%
2023 -7.7% -1.14%
2022 -10.7% 8.1%
2021 -4.6% -0.38%
2020 -6.58% -12.8%
2019 -6.4% 0.83%
2018 -6.66% 7.69%
2017 -5.01% -1.52%
2016 -7.11% -14.4%
2015 -7.56% -12.8%
2014 -3.93% -5.63%
2013 -1.9% -6.06%
2012 -3.79% 4.09%
2011 -3.49% 4.74%
2010 -3.64% -4.18%
2009 -5.14% -14.9%
2008 -2.7% -0.86%
2007 -2.51% 9.98%
2006 -9.92% 10.7%
2005 -10.6% 4.07%
2004 -14.9% -35.4%
2003 -13.7% -
2002 -4.9% -
2001 -7.78% -
2000 -5.66% -
1999 -5.33% -
1998 -4.43% -
1997 -4.48% -
1996 -8.61% -
1995 -3.72% -
1994 -1.76% -
1993 -1.22% -
1992 -4.16% -
1991 4.14% -
1990 8.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/iraq | 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 Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Iraq
2024 20.2% -12.3%
2023 26.9% 4.36%
2022 18.8% 4.99%
2021 8.4% 6.04%
2020 7.32% 0.57%
2019 -0.69% -0.2%
2018 -2.81% 0.37%
2017 16.1% 0.18%
2016 5.56% 0.56%
2015 5.54% 1.39%
2014 4.41% 2.24%
2013 7.94% 1.88%
2012 18.2% 6.09%
2011 9.59% 5.8%
2010 6.49% 2.88%
2009 10.6% 6.87%
2008 24.4% 12.7%
2007 8.41% -10.1%
2006 2.75% 53.2%
2005 13.3% 37%
2004 8.18% 27%
2003 10.6% 33.6%
2002 -1.37% 19.3%
2001 9.3% 16.4%
2000 24.4% 4.98%
1999 3.39% 12.6%
1998 12.5% 14.8%
1997 31.1% 23.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 9.86% in Iraq. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and -12.3% in Iraq.

Balance of trade

Burundi Iraq
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$101B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Iraq
Economic freedom 40.2 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 196/197
Property rights 27.2 8.3
Government integrity 15.5 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 5.8
Tax burden 76.1 85.5
Government spending 76.3 65.3
Fiscal health 14.6 95.7
Business freedom 27.2 42.8
Labor freedom 49.9 60.6
Monetary freedom 55.5 68.6
Trade freedom 52.2 40
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Iraq
2026 40.2 -
2025 39.7 -
2024 38.4 -
2023 41.9 -
2022 39.4 -
2021 49.9 -
2020 49 -
2019 48.9 -
2018 50.9 -
2017 53.2 -
2016 53.9 -
2015 53.7 -
2014 51.4 -
2013 49 -
2012 48.1 -
2011 49.6 -
2010 47.5 -
2009 48.8 -
2008 46.2 -
2007 46.9 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - 15.6
2001 - 17.2
2000 42.6 17.2
1999 41.1 17.2
1998 44.7 17.2
1997 45.4 17.2
1996 - 17.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Iraq
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
28.2%
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/iraq | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.