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Economy of Burundi vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 169/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Burundi vs Ireland GDP by year

Burundi
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Ireland
2024 $3,082,433,067 $609,157,459,747
2023 $3,430,949,250 $567,372,737,459
2022 $4,036,192,553 $548,341,794,599
2021 $3,435,598,073 $530,394,123,830
2020 $3,227,847,281 $436,009,027,819
2019 $2,871,555,326 $407,211,793,801
2018 $2,913,411,408 $395,780,319,817
2017 $2,831,362,208 $348,355,212,569
2016 $2,618,093,125 $305,431,252,709
2015 $2,810,532,912 $302,101,388,556
2014 $2,705,826,648 $266,490,442,124
2013 $2,451,624,638 $242,924,245,719
2012 $2,327,402,363 $226,921,827,888
2011 $2,235,812,880 $240,975,871,047
2010 $2,032,135,192 $221,732,824,603
2009 $1,775,495,032 $236,443,115,854
2008 $1,611,835,857 $275,447,471,451
2007 $1,356,199,387 $270,079,279,420
2006 $1,273,375,078 $232,180,617,162
2005 $1,117,113,080 $211,876,989,656
2004 $915,257,323 $194,372,115,041
2003 $784,654,424 $164,670,771,260
2002 $825,394,519 $128,596,035,288
2001 $876,794,723 $109,346,669,230
2000 $870,486,066 $100,207,610,430
1999 $808,077,223 $98,893,958,263
1998 $893,770,740 $90,199,410,116
1997 $972,896,268 $82,856,648,758
1996 $869,033,856 $75,790,786,290
1995 $1,000,428,394 $69,139,823,232
1994 $925,030,590 $57,097,656,066
1993 $938,632,612 $52,417,477,614
1992 $1,083,037,671 $55,918,538,121
1991 $1,167,398,478 $49,787,501,584
1990 $1,132,101,253 $49,305,632,408
1989 $1,113,924,130 $39,238,392,678
1988 $1,082,403,219 $37,772,896,221
1987 $1,131,466,494 $33,920,518,493
1986 $1,201,725,497 $28,714,571,852
1985 $1,149,979,286 $21,270,013,326
1984 $987,143,931 $20,106,648,455
1983 $1,082,926,304 $20,766,047,764
1982 $1,013,222,222 $21,474,752,962
1981 $969,046,667 $20,670,190,138
1980 $919,726,667 $21,747,855,640
1979 $782,496,667 $18,319,334,300
1978 $610,225,556 $14,647,996,074
1977 $547,535,556 $11,248,340,431
1976 $448,412,754 $9,453,756,015
1975 $420,986,667 $9,483,808,362
1974 $345,263,492 $7,896,860,615
1973 $304,339,524 $7,481,173,066
1972 $246,804,571 $6,318,060,582
1971 $252,842,286 $5,098,250,287
1970 $242,732,571 $4,395,995,086
1969 $190,205,714 $3,902,721,632
1968 $183,200,000 $3,378,701,147
1967 $178,297,143 $3,445,739,915
1966 $165,444,571 $3,198,820,904
1965 $158,994,963 $3,035,655,794
1964 $260,750,008 $2,851,091,646
1963 $232,749,998 $2,505,073,358
1962 $213,500,006 $2,329,372,972
1961 $202,999,992 $2,151,772,980
1960 $195,999,990 $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Ireland by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $303 $1,105 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $265 $1,036 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $255.8 $958 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $234.3 $868 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $245.7 $823 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $246.1 $791 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $232.9 $764 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $254.4 $722 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $250.5 $724 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $234.8 $687 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $231.1 $637 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $230.1 $629 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $216.7 $614 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $198.4 $605 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $189.5 $609 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $166.2 $594 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $161.9 $580 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $147.2 $553 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $125.2 $552 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $111.4 $532 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $121 $545 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $132.2 $528 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $134.5 $519 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $127.5 $523 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $144.5 $533 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $160.3 $513 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $143.2 $513 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $164.9 $548 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $161.9 $619 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $165.3 $634 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $184.9 $640 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $204.7 $636 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $202.6 $598 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $203.6 - $11,176 -
1988 $201.7 - $10,716 -
1987 $215.6 - $9,582 -
1986 $234.3 - $8,112 -
1985 $228.4 - $6,012 -
1984 $200.4 - $5,692 -
1983 $225.2 - $5,915 -
1982 $216.4 - $6,161 -
1981 $212.2 - $5,986 -
1980 $209.8 - $6,372 -
1979 $186.2 - $5,430 -
1978 $148.8 - $4,400 -
1977 $137.4 - $3,427 -
1976 $115.5 - $2,920 -
1975 $110.9 - $2,973 -
1974 $93.2 - $2,517 -
1973 $84.3 - $2,424 -
1972 $68.2 - $2,080 -
1971 $69.9 - $1,704 -
1970 $68.8 - $1,487 -
1969 $55.1 - $1,331 -
1968 $54.2 - $1,159 -
1967 $54 - $1,187 -
1966 $51.4 - $1,107 -
1965 $50.6 - $1,055 -
1964 $85.3 - $995 -
1963 $78.4 - $878 -
1962 $73.4 - $821 -
1961 $71.6 - $762 -
1960 $70.9 - $707 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Burundi Ireland
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
4.27%
2024
Population
14833763
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 26% 53% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 28.1% 74%
2014 28.5% 38% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 38% 25.7% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 39% 129.6% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 33.1% 137% 33% 26.1%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 21.7% 120% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 36.1% 61.6%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 38.5% 69.8%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 40.3% 78.5%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 44.2% 88%
1993 24% 112% 44.6% 93.4%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 46.8% 90.6%
1991 19.2% - 46.1% 93.8%
1990 17.4% - 44.6% 92.7%
1989 - - 42.5% 97.9%
1988 - - 48.2% 106.5%
1987 - - 51.4% 108.3%
1986 - - 52.9% 107.2%
1985 - - 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

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/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 101/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Ireland
2024 -4.84% 4.09%
2023 -7.7% 1.52%
2022 -10.7% 1.67%
2021 -4.6% -1.37%
2020 -6.58% -4.87%
2019 -6.4% 0.41%
2018 -6.66% 0.09%
2017 -5.01% -0.3%
2016 -7.11% -0.76%
2015 -7.56% -1.97%
2014 -3.93% -3.52%
2013 -1.9% -6.28%
2012 -3.79% -8.42%
2011 -3.49% -13.5%
2010 -3.64% -32.1%
2009 -5.14% -13.9%
2008 -2.7% -7.03%
2007 -2.51% 0.27%
2006 -9.92% 2.78%
2005 -10.6% 1.57%
2004 -14.9% 1.3%
2003 -13.7% 0.35%
2002 -4.9% -0.52%
2001 -7.78% 0.96%
2000 -5.66% 4.86%
1999 -5.33% 3.54%
1998 -4.43% 2.07%
1997 -4.48% 1.37%
1996 -8.61% -0.2%
1995 -3.72% -2.07%
1994 -1.76% -1.82%
1993 -1.22% -2.62%
1992 -4.16% -2.84%
1991 4.14% -2.8%
1990 8.14% -2.69%
1989 - -2.64%
1988 - -4.62%
1987 - -8.47%
1986 - -10.5%
1985 - -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/ireland | 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 Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.36% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Ireland
2024 20.2% 2.11%
2023 26.9% 6.3%
2022 18.8% 7.83%
2021 8.4% 2.34%
2020 7.32% -0.33%
2019 -0.69% 0.94%
2018 -2.81% 0.47%
2017 16.1% 0.36%
2016 5.56% 0.02%
2015 5.54% -0.33%
2014 4.41% 0.19%
2013 7.94% 0.52%
2012 18.2% 1.69%
2011 9.59% 2.55%
2010 6.49% -0.92%
2009 10.6% -4.45%
2008 24.4% 4.04%
2007 8.41% 4.89%
2006 2.75% 3.94%
2005 13.3% 2.46%
2004 8.18% 2.18%
2003 10.6% 3.49%
2002 -1.37% 4.63%
2001 9.3% 4.85%
2000 24.4% 5.58%
1999 3.39% 1.63%
1998 12.5% 2.41%
1997 31.1% 1.54%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $155K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Ireland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $26K
Textiles & consumer goods $19K
Chemicals & pharma $17K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Burundi Ireland
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$356B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$467B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Ireland
Economic freedom 40.2 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 3/197
Property rights 27.2 94.4
Government integrity 15.5 84
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 95.4
Tax burden 76.1 77.7
Government spending 76.3 85.9
Fiscal health 14.6 97
Business freedom 27.2 85.5
Labor freedom 49.9 61.3
Monetary freedom 55.5 79.3
Trade freedom 52.2 79.4
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 30 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Ireland
2026 40.2 83.3
2025 39.7 83.1
2024 38.4 82.6
2023 41.9 82
2022 39.4 82
2021 49.9 81.4
2020 49 80.9
2019 48.9 80.5
2018 50.9 80.4
2017 53.2 76.7
2016 53.9 77.3
2015 53.7 76.6
2014 51.4 76.2
2013 49 75.7
2012 48.1 76.9
2011 49.6 78.7
2010 47.5 81.3
2009 48.8 82.2
2008 46.2 82.5
2007 46.9 82.6
2006 48.7 82.2
2005 - 80.8
2004 - 80.3
2003 - 80.9
2002 - 80.5
2001 - 81.2
2000 42.6 76.1
1999 41.1 74.6
1998 44.7 73.7
1997 45.4 72.6
1996 - 68.5
1995 - 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Ireland
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
18.2%
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/ireland | 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 (1926–1999, 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 (2021–2024, 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.