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Economy of Burundi vs Jamaica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $22B for Jamaica, ranking 169/197 and 124/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $14B (63.4% of GDP) in Jamaica.

Burundi vs Jamaica GDP by year

Burundi
Jamaica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Jamaica
2024 $3,082,433,067 $22,014,397,090
2023 $3,430,949,250 $21,418,804,320
2022 $4,036,192,553 $18,813,516,805
2021 $3,435,598,073 $15,963,885,376
2020 $3,227,847,281 $15,000,214,216
2019 $2,871,555,326 $17,026,269,263
2018 $2,913,411,408 $16,855,447,986
2017 $2,831,362,208 $15,783,583,237
2016 $2,618,093,125 $14,898,999,754
2015 $2,810,532,912 $14,963,589,916
2014 $2,705,826,648 $13,899,217,680
2013 $2,451,624,638 $14,264,205,153
2012 $2,327,402,363 $14,807,086,556
2011 $2,235,812,880 $14,444,661,522
2010 $2,032,135,192 $13,220,549,908
2009 $1,775,495,032 $12,120,458,115
2008 $1,611,835,857 $13,709,401,520
2007 $1,356,199,387 $12,799,600,047
2006 $1,273,375,078 $11,930,179,090
2005 $1,117,113,080 $11,243,865,778
2004 $915,257,323 $10,174,664,854
2003 $784,654,424 $9,430,234,811
2002 $825,394,519 $9,719,009,495
2001 $876,794,723 $9,194,727,831
2000 $870,486,066 $9,005,064,475
1999 $808,077,223 $8,887,057,997
1998 $893,770,740 $8,787,195,622
1997 $972,896,268 $8,400,041,724
1996 $869,033,856 $7,393,891,921
1995 $1,000,428,394 $6,577,520,643
1994 $925,030,590 $5,452,558,947
1993 $938,632,612 $5,440,075,676
1992 $1,083,037,671 $3,535,460,090
1991 $1,167,398,478 $4,106,207,649
1990 $1,132,101,253 $4,592,208,087
1989 $1,113,924,130 $4,404,937,853
1988 $1,082,403,219 $3,828,342,820
1987 $1,131,466,494 $3,287,007,322
1986 $1,201,725,497 $2,754,549,582
1985 $1,149,979,286 $2,100,239,019
1984 $987,143,931 $2,373,564,549
1983 $1,082,926,304 $3,619,262,277
1982 $1,013,222,222 $3,293,496,312
1981 $969,046,667 $2,979,027,966
1980 $919,726,667 $2,679,379,372
1979 $782,496,667 $2,425,064,229
1978 $610,225,556 $2,644,527,822
1977 $547,535,556 $3,249,733,140
1976 $448,412,754 $2,966,042,856
1975 $420,986,667 $2,860,442,750
1974 $345,263,492 $2,375,122,375
1973 $304,339,524 $1,905,917,553
1972 $246,804,571 $1,875,146,587
1971 $252,842,286 $1,539,861,816
1970 $242,732,571 $1,404,720,442
1969 $190,205,714 $1,191,239,047
1968 $183,200,000 $1,083,839,133
1967 $178,297,143 $1,148,014,311
1966 $165,444,571 $1,096,759,561
1965 $158,994,963 $972,159,611
1964 $260,750,008 $897,949,001
1963 $232,749,998 $826,706,669
1962 $213,500,006 $777,727,689
1961 $202,999,992 $748,043,501
1960 $195,999,990 $699,064,380

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Jamaica by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Jamaica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $7,754 $12,890
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $7,542 $12,651
2022 $303 $1,105 $6,626 $11,888
2021 $265 $1,036 $5,626 $10,431
2020 $255.8 $958 $5,299 $9,764
2019 $234.3 $868 $6,031 $10,845
2018 $245.7 $823 $5,977 $10,753
2017 $246.1 $791 $5,605 $10,466
2016 $232.9 $764 $5,302 $9,948
2015 $254.4 $722 $5,339 $9,476
2014 $250.5 $724 $4,975 $9,210
2013 $234.8 $687 $5,124 $9,101
2012 $231.1 $637 $5,341 $8,831
2011 $230.1 $629 $5,233 $8,809
2010 $216.7 $614 $4,810 $8,521
2009 $198.4 $605 $4,428 $8,580
2008 $189.5 $609 $5,030 $8,952
2007 $166.2 $594 $4,716 $8,893
2006 $161.9 $580 $4,417 $8,577
2005 $147.2 $553 $4,184 $8,127
2004 $125.2 $552 $3,808 $7,854
2003 $111.4 $532 $3,550 $7,593
2002 $121 $545 $3,681 $7,226
2001 $132.2 $528 $3,504 $7,019
2000 $134.5 $519 $3,453 $6,816
1999 $127.5 $523 $3,432 $6,653
1998 $144.5 $533 $3,419 $6,543
1997 $160.3 $513 $3,297 $6,682
1996 $143.2 $513 $2,929 $6,706
1995 $164.9 $548 $2,631 $6,657
1994 $161.9 $619 $2,203 $6,435
1993 $165.3 $634 $2,221 $6,279
1992 $184.9 $640 $1,458 $5,664
1991 $204.7 $636 $1,710 $5,485
1990 $202.6 $598 $1,930 $5,106
1989 $203.6 - $1,865 -
1988 $201.7 - $1,632 -
1987 $215.6 - $1,411 -
1986 $234.3 - $1,191 -
1985 $228.4 - $917 -
1984 $200.4 - $1,048 -
1983 $225.2 - $1,619 -
1982 $216.4 - $1,494 -
1981 $212.2 - $1,370 -
1980 $209.8 - $1,249 -
1979 $186.2 - $1,144 -
1978 $148.8 - $1,262 -
1977 $137.4 - $1,569 -
1976 $115.5 - $1,450 -
1975 $110.9 - $1,417 -
1974 $93.2 - $1,193 -
1973 $84.3 - $972 -
1972 $68.2 - $971 -
1971 $69.9 - $809 -
1970 $68.8 - $748 -
1969 $55.1 - $642 -
1968 $54.2 - $591 -
1967 $54 - $633 -
1966 $51.4 - $612 -
1965 $50.6 - $549 -
1964 $85.3 - $514 -
1963 $78.4 - $480 -
1962 $73.4 - $458 -
1961 $71.6 - $447 -
1960 $70.9 - $424 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $7,754 in Jamaica, ranking 95/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890.

Economic indicators

Burundi Jamaica
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$22B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
-0.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$7,754
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$12,890
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
121/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$14B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
63.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$4,917
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
79/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$6,905
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12.4B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
30.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
5.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
3.02%
2023
Population
14833763
2834980

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Jamaica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Jamaica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 30.5% 63.4%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 28% 67.3%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 28.4% 73.5%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 29% 90.9%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 29.8% 100.1%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 27.8% 88.6%
2018 26% 53% 27.8% 89.2%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 27.3% 96.7%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 27% 109.1%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 26.3% 117.6%
2014 28.5% 38% 26.5% 136.7%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 26.9% 138.1%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 29.6% 143%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 31.7% 138.1%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 32.9% 140.1%
2009 38% 25.7% 38.6% 141.5%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 34.4% 125.6%
2007 39% 129.6% 31.6% 115.3%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 31.2% 118%
2005 33.1% 137% 29.3% 124.5%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 31.5% 120.1%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 32.5% 125.5%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 31.1% 119.1%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 28.5% 107.9%
2000 21.7% 120% 26.2% 91.3%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 28.9% 83.5%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 28.3% 75.6%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 28.3% 74.4%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 27.7% 70.2%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 23.1% 85.2%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 21.5% 90.4%
1993 24% 112% 21.5% 106.2%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 20% 100.4%
1991 19.2% - 24.5% 175.1%
1990 17.4% - 25.7% 128.8%

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

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Jamaica spent $6.72B, or 30.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 63.4% in Jamaica, ranking 101/185 and 73/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Jamaica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Jamaica
2024 -4.84% 0.22%
2023 -7.7% 0.04%
2022 -10.7% 0.27%
2021 -4.6% 0.89%
2020 -6.58% -2.83%
2019 -6.4% 0.85%
2018 -6.66% 1.12%
2017 -5.01% 0.43%
2016 -7.11% -0.19%
2015 -7.56% -0.28%
2014 -3.93% -0.49%
2013 -1.9% 0.12%
2012 -3.79% -4.05%
2011 -3.49% -6.34%
2010 -3.64% -6.27%
2009 -5.14% -11.1%
2008 -2.7% -7.43%
2007 -2.51% -3.82%
2006 -9.92% -4.9%
2005 -10.6% -3.3%
2004 -14.9% -4.68%
2003 -13.7% -5.67%
2002 -4.9% -6.77%
2001 -7.78% -4.89%
2000 -5.66% -0.8%
1999 -5.33% -3.53%
1998 -4.43% -5.82%
1997 -4.48% -6.54%
1996 -8.61% -5.32%
1995 -3.72% 1.6%
1994 -1.76% 2.59%
1993 -1.22% 2.6%
1992 -4.16% 3.11%
1991 4.14% 3.87%
1990 8.14% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/jamaica | 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 Jamaica's surplus of $49.1M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Jamaica ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.14% of GDP for Jamaica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Jamaica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Jamaica
2024 20.2% 5.41%
2023 26.9% 6.47%
2022 18.8% 10.3%
2021 8.4% 5.86%
2020 7.32% 5.23%
2019 -0.69% 3.91%
2018 -2.81% 3.74%
2017 16.1% 4.38%
2016 5.56% 2.35%
2015 5.54% 3.69%
2014 4.41% 8.27%
2013 7.94% 9.34%
2012 18.2% 6.87%
2011 9.59% 7.56%
2010 6.49% 12.6%
2009 10.6% 9.59%
2008 24.4% 22%
2007 8.41% 9.24%
2006 2.75% 8.56%
2005 13.3% 15.1%
2004 8.18% 13.6%
2003 10.6% 10.1%
2002 -1.37% 7.08%
2001 9.3% 6.8%
2000 24.4% 8.17%
1999 3.39% 5.95%
1998 12.5% 8.63%
1997 31.1% 9.66%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 8.23% in Jamaica. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 5.41% in Jamaica.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Jamaica
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Burundi Jamaica
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$679M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
56/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+3.08%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$6.07B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$1.87B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$3.46B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$5.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
52.1%
2019
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
38%
2019

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Jamaica
Economic freedom 40.2 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 48/197
Property rights 27.2 66.8
Government integrity 15.5 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 75.6
Tax burden 76.1 76.3
Government spending 76.3 76
Fiscal health 14.6 92.2
Business freedom 27.2 68.5
Labor freedom 49.9 59.2
Monetary freedom 55.5 74.2
Trade freedom 52.2 70.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Jamaica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Jamaica
2026 40.2 68.2
2025 39.7 68.7
2024 38.4 68.1
2023 41.9 68.1
2022 39.4 67.4
2021 49.9 69
2020 49 68.5
2019 48.9 68.6
2018 50.9 69.1
2017 53.2 69.5
2016 53.9 67.5
2015 53.7 67.7
2014 51.4 66.7
2013 49 66.8
2012 48.1 65.1
2011 49.6 65.7
2010 47.5 65.5
2009 48.8 65.2
2008 46.2 65.7
2007 46.9 65.5
2006 48.7 66.4
2005 - 67
2004 - 66.7
2003 - 67
2002 - 61.7
2001 - 63.7
2000 42.6 65.5
1999 41.1 64.7
1998 44.7 67.1
1997 45.4 67.7
1996 - 66.7
1995 - 64.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 68.2 for Jamaica, ranking 48/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Jamaica
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
7.97%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$20.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$12,690
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$5.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
93/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$304M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$305M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$1.07M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
8.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
22.6%
2019

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/jamaica | 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 (1995–2026, 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 (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, 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.