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Economy of Burundi vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $120B for Kenya, ranking 169/197 and 64/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $81B (67.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Burundi vs Kenya GDP by year

Burundi
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Kenya
2024 $3,082,433,067 $120,339,557,906
2023 $3,430,949,250 $107,500,884,685
2022 $4,036,192,553 $114,448,978,153
2021 $3,435,598,073 $109,703,658,905
2020 $3,227,847,281 $100,657,505,751
2019 $2,871,555,326 $100,378,436,207
2018 $2,913,411,408 $92,202,979,985
2017 $2,831,362,208 $82,036,510,877
2016 $2,618,093,125 $74,815,144,164
2015 $2,810,532,912 $70,120,446,897
2014 $2,705,826,648 $68,285,796,514
2013 $2,451,624,638 $61,671,440,408
2012 $2,327,402,363 $56,396,704,672
2011 $2,235,812,880 $46,869,473,151
2010 $2,032,135,192 $45,405,615,064
2009 $1,775,495,032 $42,347,217,913
2008 $1,611,835,857 $35,895,153,328
2007 $1,356,199,387 $31,958,195,182
2006 $1,273,375,078 $25,825,512,284
2005 $1,117,113,080 $18,737,895,513
2004 $915,257,323 $16,095,337,094
2003 $784,654,424 $14,904,517,650
2002 $825,394,519 $13,147,736,899
2001 $876,794,723 $12,986,007,426
2000 $870,486,066 $12,705,350,098
1999 $808,077,223 $12,896,010,459
1998 $893,770,740 $14,093,998,844
1997 $972,896,268 $13,115,764,358
1996 $869,033,856 $12,045,865,396
1995 $1,000,428,394 $9,046,320,255
1994 $925,030,590 $7,148,148,564
1993 $938,632,612 $5,751,786,643
1992 $1,083,037,671 $8,209,120,763
1991 $1,167,398,478 $8,151,488,783
1990 $1,132,101,253 $8,572,359,038
1989 $1,113,924,130 $8,283,114,514
1988 $1,082,403,219 $8,355,380,879
1987 $1,131,466,494 $7,970,820,369
1986 $1,201,725,497 $7,239,126,568
1985 $1,149,979,286 $6,135,034,214
1984 $987,143,931 $6,191,437,070
1983 $1,082,926,304 $5,979,198,314
1982 $1,013,222,222 $6,431,579,357
1981 $969,046,667 $6,854,491,706
1980 $919,726,667 $7,265,315,820
1979 $782,496,667 $6,234,391,113
1978 $610,225,556 $5,303,735,111
1977 $547,535,556 $4,494,378,764
1976 $448,412,754 $3,474,542,392
1975 $420,986,667 $3,259,345,083
1974 $345,263,492 $2,969,958,812
1973 $304,339,524 $2,509,001,324
1972 $246,804,571 $2,107,279,157
1971 $252,842,286 $1,778,391,289
1970 $242,732,571 $1,603,447,359
1969 $190,205,714 $1,458,379,417
1968 $183,200,000 $1,353,295,459
1967 $178,297,143 $1,232,559,507
1966 $165,444,571 $1,164,519,674
1965 $158,994,963 $997,919,321
1964 $260,750,008 $998,759,334
1963 $232,749,998 $926,589,349
1962 $213,500,006 $868,111,401
1961 $202,999,992 $792,959,473
1960 $195,999,990 $791,265,459

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Kenya by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $2,132 $6,644
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $303 $1,105 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $265 $1,036 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $255.8 $958 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $234.3 $868 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $245.7 $823 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $246.1 $791 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $232.9 $764 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $254.4 $722 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $234.8 $687 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $231.1 $637 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $230.1 $629 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $216.7 $614 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $189.5 $609 $916 $2,459
2007 $166.2 $594 $840 $2,481
2006 $161.9 $580 $700 $2,330
2005 $147.2 $553 $523 $2,189
2004 $125.2 $552 $464 $2,066
2003 $111.4 $532 $443 $1,975
2002 $121 $545 $403 $1,940
2001 $132.2 $528 $411 $1,961
2000 $134.5 $519 $415 $1,907
1999 $127.5 $523 $434 $1,910
1998 $144.5 $533 $488 $1,895
1997 $160.3 $513 $467 $1,865
1996 $143.2 $513 $441 $1,875
1995 $164.9 $548 $340 $1,818
1994 $161.9 $619 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $165.3 $634 $229 $1,723
1992 $184.9 $640 $337 $1,728
1991 $204.7 $636 $345 $1,756
1990 $202.6 $598 $374 $1,729
1989 $203.6 - $374 -
1988 $201.7 - $391 -
1987 $215.6 - $387 -
1986 $234.3 - $364 -
1985 $228.4 - $320 -
1984 $200.4 - $334 -
1983 $225.2 - $335 -
1982 $216.4 - $374 -
1981 $212.2 - $413 -
1980 $209.8 - $454 -
1979 $186.2 - $403 -
1978 $148.8 - $355 -
1977 $137.4 - $311 -
1976 $115.5 - $248.9 -
1975 $110.9 - $241.2 -
1974 $93.2 - $227.2 -
1973 $84.3 - $198.6 -
1972 $68.2 - $172.6 -
1971 $69.9 - $150.9 -
1970 $68.8 - $141 -
1969 $55.1 - $133.3 -
1968 $54.2 - $128.7 -
1967 $54 - $121.9 -
1966 $51.4 - $119.8 -
1965 $50.6 - $106.9 -
1964 $85.3 - $111.3 -
1963 $78.4 - $107.4 -
1962 $73.4 - $104.6 -
1961 $71.6 - $99.3 -
1960 $70.9 - $102.8 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $2,132 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Burundi Kenya
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
64/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$2,132
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
154/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$81B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
67.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,436
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
133/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$3,229
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$15B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
23.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
4.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
9.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
5.44%
2022
Population
14833763
58955623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 23.3% 67.3%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 22.7% 73.4%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 23.2% 67.8%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 24% 68.2%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 24.8% 68%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 26% 53% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 25.4% 50.4%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 28.5% 38% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 38% 25.7% 20.3% 36%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 39% 129.6% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 33.1% 137% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 16% 43.8%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 15.7% 42%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 21.7% 120% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 13.7% 38.4%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 15.3% 38.5%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 15.6% 36%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 15.2% 40.5%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 17.3% 52.1%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 18.8% 57%
1993 24% 112% 18.9% 61.6%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 17.6% 41.2%
1991 19.2% - 16.4% 43%
1990 17.4% - 17.2% 37.6%
1989 - - 16.3% 33.4%
1988 - - 15.9% 33.9%
1987 - - 15.5% 36.3%
1986 - - 15.3% 31.3%
1985 - - 15.6% 28.8%
1984 - - 14.9% 25.6%
1983 - - 14.6% 26.1%
1982 - - 16.2% 26.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $28B, or 23.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 67.3% in Kenya, ranking 101/185 and 64/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Kenya
2024 -4.84% -5.77%
2023 -7.7% -5.71%
2022 -10.7% -6.06%
2021 -4.6% -7.2%
2020 -6.58% -8.13%
2019 -6.4% -7.42%
2018 -6.66% -6.94%
2017 -5.01% -7.4%
2016 -7.11% -7.47%
2015 -7.56% -6.68%
2014 -3.93% -5.75%
2013 -1.9% -5.25%
2012 -3.79% -5.29%
2011 -3.49% -3.64%
2010 -3.64% -3.67%
2009 -5.14% -3.12%
2008 -2.7% -1.95%
2007 -2.51% -0.95%
2006 -9.92% -0.43%
2005 -10.6% -0.19%
2004 -14.9% 0.5%
2003 -13.7% -0.73%
2002 -4.9% -1.29%
2001 -7.78% -0.53%
2000 -5.66% 0.38%
1999 -5.33% 0.84%
1998 -4.43% -0.03%
1997 -4.48% -0.91%
1996 -8.61% -0.49%
1995 -3.72% -0.23%
1994 -1.76% -4.14%
1993 -1.22% -8.57%
1992 -4.16% -8.28%
1991 4.14% -6.56%
1990 8.14% -3.28%
1989 - -2.39%
1988 - -1.97%
1987 - -2.27%
1986 - -2.98%
1985 - -3.05%
1984 - -2.55%
1983 - -2.17%
1982 - -3.07%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/kenya | 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 Kenya's deficit of $6.94B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.78% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Kenya
2024 20.2% 4.49%
2023 26.9% 7.67%
2022 18.8% 7.66%
2021 8.4% 6.11%
2020 7.32% 5.41%
2019 -0.69% 5.24%
2018 -2.81% 4.69%
2017 16.1% 8.01%
2016 5.56% 6.3%
2015 5.54% 6.58%
2014 4.41% 6.88%
2013 7.94% 5.72%
2012 18.2% 9.38%
2011 9.59% 14%
2010 6.49% 3.96%
2009 10.6% 9.23%
2008 24.4% 26.2%
2007 8.41% 9.76%
2006 2.75% 14.5%
2005 13.3% 10.3%
2004 8.18% 11.6%
2003 10.6% 9.82%
2002 -1.37% 1.96%
2001 9.3% 5.74%
2000 24.4% 9.98%
1999 3.39% 5.74%
1998 12.5% 6.72%
1997 31.1% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 8.39% in Kenya. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 4.49% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.54M
Raw materials & minerals $274K
Metals $109K
Machinery & equipment $89K
Chemicals & pharma $81K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21K
Miscellaneous $11K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Metals $13.4M
Chemicals & pharma $12.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.68M
Raw materials & minerals $7.3M
Machinery & equipment $6.21M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.58M
Wood & paper products $1.62M
Miscellaneous $805K
Raw agricultural goods $768K
Weapons & explosives $166K

Balance of trade

Burundi Kenya
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
134/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
23.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
17.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Kenya
Economic freedom 40.2 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 128/197
Property rights 27.2 40.2
Government integrity 15.5 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 47
Tax burden 76.1 76.3
Government spending 76.3 84.1
Fiscal health 14.6 36.2
Business freedom 27.2 61.5
Labor freedom 49.9 56.5
Monetary freedom 55.5 75.1
Trade freedom 52.2 52
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Kenya
2026 40.2 55.5
2025 39.7 54.8
2024 38.4 53.6
2023 41.9 52.5
2022 39.4 52.6
2021 49.9 54.9
2020 49 55.3
2019 48.9 55.1
2018 50.9 54.7
2017 53.2 53.5
2016 53.9 57.5
2015 53.7 55.6
2014 51.4 57.1
2013 49 55.9
2012 48.1 57.5
2011 49.6 57.4
2010 47.5 57.5
2009 48.8 58.7
2008 46.2 59.3
2007 46.9 59.6
2006 48.7 59.7
2005 - 57.9
2004 - 57.7
2003 - 58.6
2002 - 58.2
2001 - 57.6
2000 42.6 59.7
1999 41.1 58.2
1998 44.7 58.4
1997 45.4 60.1
1996 - 56.4
1995 - 54.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Kenya
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
55.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$118B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$6,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$10.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
75/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
4.79%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
16.8%
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/kenya | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.