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Economy of Burundi vs Kuwait compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $160B for Kuwait, ranking 169/197 and 59/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (2.92% of GDP) in Kuwait.

Burundi vs Kuwait GDP by year

Burundi
Kuwait
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Kuwait
2024 $3,082,433,067 $160,227,273,053
2023 $3,430,949,250 $165,384,407,116
2022 $4,036,192,553 $183,502,046,694
2021 $3,435,598,073 $148,350,671,489
2020 $3,227,847,281 $111,045,470,606
2019 $2,871,555,326 $140,856,394,861
2018 $2,913,411,408 $138,646,316,351
2017 $2,831,362,208 $120,687,539,806
2016 $2,618,093,125 $109,406,674,125
2015 $2,810,532,912 $114,585,555,689
2014 $2,705,826,648 $162,650,450,685
2013 $2,451,624,638 $174,168,116,535
2012 $2,327,402,363 $174,047,662,680
2011 $2,235,812,880 $154,039,231,246
2010 $2,032,135,192 $115,416,245,242
2009 $1,775,495,032 $105,968,691,905
2008 $1,611,835,857 $147,379,737,230
2007 $1,356,199,387 $114,634,043,362
2006 $1,273,375,078 $101,557,330,723
2005 $1,117,113,080 $80,798,630,137
2004 $915,257,323 $59,439,090,601
2003 $784,654,424 $47,874,582,232
2002 $825,394,519 $38,135,788,414
2001 $876,794,723 $34,889,559,870
2000 $870,486,066 $37,718,743,480
1999 $808,077,223 $30,122,365,849
1998 $893,770,740 $25,943,705,784
1997 $972,896,268 $30,350,190,704
1996 $869,033,856 $31,492,373,309
1995 $1,000,428,394 $27,186,980,647
1994 $925,030,590 $24,848,483,838
1993 $938,632,612 $23,941,391,391
1992 $1,083,037,671 $19,858,555,215
1991 $1,167,398,478 $11,009,993,703
1990 $1,132,101,253 $18,427,777,778
1989 $1,113,924,130 $24,313,855,653
1988 $1,082,403,219 $20,690,322,153
1987 $1,131,466,494 $22,368,704,134
1986 $1,201,725,497 $17,903,989,745
1985 $1,149,979,286 $21,445,970,614
1984 $987,143,931 $21,700,082,753
1983 $1,082,926,304 $20,871,081,080
1982 $1,013,222,222 $21,577,153,356
1981 $969,046,667 $25,058,020,338
1980 $919,726,667 $28,638,868,356
1979 $782,496,667 $24,749,063,922
1978 $610,225,556 $15,503,557,496
1977 $547,535,556 $14,137,406,741
1976 $448,412,754 $13,132,252,802
1975 $420,986,667 $12,022,811,621
1974 $345,263,492 $13,006,948,296
1973 $304,339,524 $5,408,804,607
1972 $246,804,571 $4,450,537,925
1971 $252,842,286 $3,880,392,195
1970 $242,732,571 $2,873,638,851
1969 $190,205,714 $2,769,198,892
1968 $183,200,000 $2,662,798,935
1967 $178,297,143 $2,441,599,023
1966 $165,444,571 $2,391,199,044
1965 $158,994,963 $2,097,199,161
1964 $260,750,008 $2,071,668,533
1963 $232,749,998 $1,900,895,857
1962 $213,500,006 $1,828,107,503
1961 $202,999,992 -
1960 $195,999,990 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Kuwait by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kuwait
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Kuwait
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $32,718 $52,444
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $34,076 $53,025
2022 $303 $1,105 $39,982 $55,043
2021 $265 $1,036 $34,019 $50,652
2020 $255.8 $958 $25,236 $41,462
2019 $234.3 $868 $31,708 $50,703
2018 $245.7 $823 $32,068 $51,371
2017 $246.1 $791 $29,048 $46,566
2016 $232.9 $764 $27,324 $41,862
2015 $254.4 $722 $29,882 $45,267
2014 $250.5 $724 $44,369 $68,337
2013 $234.8 $687 $49,651 $76,813
2012 $231.1 $637 $52,155 $82,090
2011 $230.1 $629 $49,170 $79,037
2010 $216.7 $614 $39,212 $75,184
2009 $198.4 $605 $37,907 $80,110
2008 $189.5 $609 $55,585 $90,337
2007 $166.2 $594 $45,709 $91,435
2006 $161.9 $580 $42,947 $89,075
2005 $147.2 $553 $36,123 $84,968
2004 $125.2 $552 $27,552 $77,227
2003 $111.4 $532 $22,691 $69,752
2002 $121 $545 $18,513 $59,713
2001 $132.2 $528 $17,374 $58,553
2000 $134.5 $519 $19,296 $58,703
1999 $127.5 $523 $15,854 $56,406
1998 $144.5 $533 $14,067 $58,344
1997 $160.3 $513 $16,977 $57,420
1996 $143.2 $513 $18,201 $56,913
1995 $164.9 $548 $16,168 $57,163
1994 $161.9 $619 $14,930 $53,946
1993 $165.3 $634 $14,318 $48,482
1992 $184.9 $640 $12,146 $36,149
1991 $204.7 $636 $8,147 $23,390
1990 $202.6 $598 $10,938 $30,763
1989 $203.6 - $10,965 -
1988 $201.7 - $9,692 -
1987 $215.6 - $10,896 -
1986 $234.3 - $9,077 -
1985 $228.4 - $11,322 -
1984 $200.4 - $11,919 -
1983 $225.2 - $11,965 -
1982 $216.4 - $12,979 -
1981 $212.2 - $15,825 -
1980 $209.8 - $19,032 -
1979 $186.2 - $17,386 -
1978 $148.8 - $11,567 -
1977 $137.4 - $11,238 -
1976 $115.5 - $11,141 -
1975 $110.9 - $10,882 -
1974 $93.2 - $12,527 -
1973 $84.3 - $5,532 -
1972 $68.2 - $4,836 -
1971 $69.9 - $4,486 -
1970 $68.8 - $3,552 -
1969 $55.1 - $3,695 -
1968 $54.2 - $3,872 -
1967 $54 - $3,887 -
1966 $51.4 - $4,176 -
1965 $50.6 - $4,024 -
1964 $85.3 - $4,379 -
1963 $78.4 - $4,445 -
1962 $73.4 - $4,748 -
1961 $71.6 - - -
1960 $70.9 - - -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $32,718 in Kuwait, ranking 37/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Kuwait ranks 40th at $52,444.

Economic indicators

Burundi Kuwait
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$160B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
59/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
-2.56%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$32,718
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
37/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$52,444
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
40/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$4.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
2.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$956
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
143/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$23,828
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$141B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
50.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
2.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
2.16%
2016
Population
14833763
5100145

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Kuwait
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Kuwait
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 50.4% 2.92%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 48.3% 3.13%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 39.6% 2.95%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 48.3% 7.2%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 62.9% 10.2%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 50.3% 10.5%
2018 26% 53% 51.1% 14.3%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 51.9% 19.6%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 54.1% 9.88%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 55.4% 4.6%
2014 28.5% 38% 45% 3.43%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 38.4% 3.09%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 38.2% 3.6%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 39.7% 4.64%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 45.5% 6.16%
2009 38% 25.7% 42.9% 6.65%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 40.9% 5.38%
2007 39% 129.6% 30.4% 7.05%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 32.3% 7.79%
2005 33.1% 137% 28.8% 10.2%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 35.3% 13.9%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 38.2% 17.2%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 42.8% 21.3%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 41.4% 23%
2000 21.7% 120% 29.9% 21.4%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 44.5% 25.5%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 51.7% 25.6%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 43.8% 24.3%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 42.8% 26.5%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 52% 34.9%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 57.8% 37.7%
1993 24% 112% 58.2% 28.8%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 77.6% 27.9%
1991 19.2% - 208.9% 45.3%
1990 17.4% - 122.9% -

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/kuwait | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Kuwait spent $80.8B, or 50.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 2.92% in Kuwait, ranking 101/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Kuwait
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Kuwait
2024 -4.84% 23.8%
2023 -7.7% 28.2%
2022 -10.7% 30%
2021 -4.6% 9.98%
2020 -6.58% 0.14%
2019 -6.4% 13%
2018 -6.66% 17.5%
2017 -5.01% 15.3%
2016 -7.11% 13.1%
2015 -7.56% 16.6%
2014 -3.93% 30%
2013 -1.9% 40.6%
2012 -3.79% 40.7%
2011 -3.49% 38.8%
2010 -3.64% 31.9%
2009 -5.14% 31.3%
2008 -2.7% 21.3%
2007 -2.51% 37.1%
2006 -9.92% 28%
2005 -10.6% 38.9%
2004 -14.9% 32.5%
2003 -13.7% 27.2%
2002 -4.9% 31%
2001 -7.78% 45.2%
2000 -5.66% 52.5%
1999 -5.33% 28.2%
1998 -4.43% 19.5%
1997 -4.48% 29.5%
1996 -8.61% 24.3%
1995 -3.72% 11.7%
1994 -1.76% 1.76%
1993 -1.22% -3.12%
1992 -4.16% -28.1%
1991 4.14% -145%
1990 8.14% -50%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/kuwait | 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 Kuwait's surplus of $38.1B, or 23.8% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Kuwait ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to surplus of 16.7% of GDP for Kuwait.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Kuwait
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Kuwait
2024 20.2% 2.9%
2023 26.9% 3.64%
2022 18.8% 3.98%
2021 8.4% 3.42%
2020 7.32% 2.1%
2019 -0.69% 1.09%
2018 -2.81% 0.54%
2017 16.1% 2.17%
2016 5.56% 3.2%
2015 5.54% 3.27%
2014 4.41% 2.91%
2013 7.94% 2.68%
2012 18.2% 3.26%
2011 9.59% 4.84%
2010 6.49% 4.5%
2009 10.6% 4.61%
2008 24.4% 10.6%
2007 8.41% 5.48%
2006 2.75% 3.06%
2005 13.3% 4.14%
2004 8.18% 1.25%
2003 10.6% 0.96%
2002 -1.37% 0.89%
2001 9.3% 1.3%
2000 24.4% 1.81%
1999 3.39% 2.99%
1998 12.5% 0.13%
1997 31.1% 0.68%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 2.94% in Kuwait. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 2.9% in Kuwait.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Kuwait
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Burundi Kuwait
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$46.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
15/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+29.1%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$33.4B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$77.5B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$28.1B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$12.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
38.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
57.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Kuwait
Economic freedom 40.2 59.9
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 100/197
Property rights 27.2 42
Government integrity 15.5 47.9
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 43.4
Tax burden 76.1 97.7
Government spending 76.3 36.2
Fiscal health 14.6 99.9
Business freedom 27.2 57.4
Labor freedom 49.9 49.2
Monetary freedom 55.5 68.7
Trade freedom 52.2 75.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Kuwait
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Kuwait
2026 40.2 59.9
2025 39.7 59.9
2024 38.4 58.5
2023 41.9 56.7
2022 39.4 58.3
2021 49.9 64.1
2020 49 63.2
2019 48.9 60.8
2018 50.9 62.2
2017 53.2 65.1
2016 53.9 62.7
2015 53.7 62.5
2014 51.4 62.3
2013 49 63.1
2012 48.1 62.5
2011 49.6 64.9
2010 47.5 67.7
2009 48.8 65.6
2008 46.2 68.1
2007 46.9 66.4
2006 48.7 66.5
2005 - 64.6
2004 - 63.6
2003 - 66.7
2002 - 65.4
2001 - 68.2
2000 42.6 69.7
1999 41.1 69.5
1998 44.7 66.3
1997 45.4 64.8
1996 - 66.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 59.9 for Kuwait, ranking 100/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Kuwait
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
55.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
57.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
0.49%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$200B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$63,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$50.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
41/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
$9.71B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$615M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$10.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
17.7%
2023

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/kuwait | 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. TradeMap (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.