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Economy of Burundi vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 169/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Burundi vs Lebanon GDP by year

Burundi
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Lebanon
2024 $3,082,433,067 -
2023 $3,430,949,250 $20,078,620,357
2022 $4,036,192,553 $20,992,421,949
2021 $3,435,598,073 $23,131,941,557
2020 $3,227,847,281 $31,712,128,254
2019 $2,871,555,326 $51,605,959,131
2018 $2,913,411,408 $54,901,519,156
2017 $2,831,362,208 $53,027,680,686
2016 $2,618,093,125 $51,147,308,774
2015 $2,810,532,912 $49,929,337,837
2014 $2,705,826,648 $48,095,213,747
2013 $2,451,624,638 $46,880,103,081
2012 $2,327,402,363 $44,016,799,516
2011 $2,235,812,880 $39,927,125,962
2010 $2,032,135,192 $38,443,907,042
2009 $1,775,495,032 $35,399,582,929
2008 $1,611,835,857 $29,118,916,105
2007 $1,356,199,387 $24,827,355,015
2006 $1,273,375,078 $22,022,709,851
2005 $1,117,113,080 $21,497,336,499
2004 $915,257,323 $21,159,827,992
2003 $784,654,424 $20,082,918,740
2002 $825,394,519 $19,152,238,806
2001 $876,794,723 $17,649,751,244
2000 $870,486,066 $17,260,364,842
1999 $808,077,223 $17,391,056,369
1998 $893,770,740 $17,247,179,006
1997 $972,896,268 $15,751,867,489
1996 $869,033,856 $13,690,217,334
1995 $1,000,428,394 $11,718,795,529
1994 $925,030,590 $9,599,127,050
1993 $938,632,612 $7,941,744,492
1992 $1,083,037,671 $5,843,579,161
1991 $1,167,398,478 $4,690,415,093
1990 $1,132,101,253 $2,838,485,354
1989 $1,113,924,130 $2,717,998,688
1988 $1,082,403,219 $3,313,540,068
1987 $1,131,466,494 -
1986 $1,201,725,497 -
1985 $1,149,979,286 -
1984 $987,143,931 -
1983 $1,082,926,304 -
1982 $1,013,222,222 -
1981 $969,046,667 -
1980 $919,726,667 -
1979 $782,496,667 -
1978 $610,225,556 -
1977 $547,535,556 -
1976 $448,412,754 -
1975 $420,986,667 -
1974 $345,263,492 -
1973 $304,339,524 -
1972 $246,804,571 -
1971 $252,842,286 -
1970 $242,732,571 -
1969 $190,205,714 -
1968 $183,200,000 -
1967 $178,297,143 -
1966 $165,444,571 -
1965 $158,994,963 -
1964 $260,750,008 -
1963 $232,749,998 -
1962 $213,500,006 -
1961 $202,999,992 -
1960 $195,999,990 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Lebanon by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 - -
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $303 $1,105 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $265 $1,036 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $255.8 $958 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $234.3 $868 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $245.7 $823 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $246.1 $791 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $232.9 $764 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $254.4 $722 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $250.5 $724 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $234.8 $687 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $231.1 $637 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $230.1 $629 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $216.7 $614 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $198.4 $605 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $189.5 $609 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $166.2 $594 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $161.9 $580 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $147.2 $553 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $125.2 $552 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $111.4 $532 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $121 $545 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $132.2 $528 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $134.5 $519 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $127.5 $523 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $144.5 $533 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $160.3 $513 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $143.2 $513 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $164.9 $548 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $161.9 $619 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $165.3 $634 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $184.9 $640 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $204.7 $636 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $202.6 $598 $790 $2,990
1989 $203.6 - $771 -
1988 $201.7 - $959 -
1987 $215.6 - - -
1986 $234.3 - - -
1985 $228.4 - - -
1984 $200.4 - - -
1983 $225.2 - - -
1982 $216.4 - - -
1981 $212.2 - - -
1980 $209.8 - - -
1979 $186.2 - - -
1978 $148.8 - - -
1977 $137.4 - - -
1976 $115.5 - - -
1975 $110.9 - - -
1974 $93.2 - - -
1973 $84.3 - - -
1972 $68.2 - - -
1971 $69.9 - - -
1970 $68.8 - - -
1969 $55.1 - - -
1968 $54.2 - - -
1967 $54 - - -
1966 $51.4 - - -
1965 $50.6 - - -
1964 $85.3 - - -
1963 $78.4 - - -
1962 $73.4 - - -
1961 $71.6 - - -
1960 $70.9 - - -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Burundi Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
169/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
11.3%
2019
Population
14833763
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 10.9% 358%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 26% 53% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 30.6% 150%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 28.5% 38% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 38% 25.7% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 39% 129.6% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 33.1% 137% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 21.7% 120% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 40.5% 100.2%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 43.6% 101.2%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 31.1% 79.6%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 47.3% 71.5%
1993 24% 112% 23% 50.5%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 36.1% 51.7%
1991 19.2% - 35.6% 67.1%
1990 17.4% - 40% 99.7%

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/lebanon | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 101/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Lebanon
2024 -4.84% -0.19%
2023 -7.7% -1.7%
2022 -10.7% -7.77%
2021 -4.6% -2.67%
2020 -6.58% -7.37%
2019 -6.4% -10.5%
2018 -6.66% -11.3%
2017 -5.01% -8.65%
2016 -7.11% -8.88%
2015 -7.56% -7.48%
2014 -3.93% -6.22%
2013 -1.9% -8.82%
2012 -3.79% -8.43%
2011 -3.49% -5.94%
2010 -3.64% -7.47%
2009 -5.14% -8.1%
2008 -2.7% -9.86%
2007 -2.51% -10.9%
2006 -9.92% -10.6%
2005 -10.6% -8.57%
2004 -14.9% -9.83%
2003 -13.7% -14%
2002 -4.9% -16.2%
2001 -7.78% -21%
2000 -5.66% -23.9%
1999 -5.33% -16.7%
1998 -4.43% -17.3%
1997 -4.48% -24.5%
1996 -8.61% -25.7%
1995 -3.72% -13.6%
1994 -1.76% -29.1%
1993 -1.22% -7.19%
1992 -4.16% -24%
1991 4.14% -19.5%
1990 8.14% -30.2%

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

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

In 2023, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $264M, equivalent to 7.7% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.24% of GDP, compared to deficit of 13.1% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Lebanon
2024 20.2% 45.2%
2023 26.9% 221.3%
2022 18.8% 171.2%
2021 8.4% 154.8%
2020 7.32% 84.9%
2019 -0.69% 2.9%
2018 -2.81% 6.1%
2017 16.1% 4.5%
2016 5.56% -0.8%
2015 5.54% -3.8%
2014 4.41% 1.1%
2013 7.94% 5.6%
2012 18.2% 6.6%
2011 9.59% 5%
2010 6.49% 4%
2009 10.6% 1.2%
2008 24.4% 10.7%
2007 8.41% 4.1%
2006 2.75% 4.1%
2005 13.3% -1.4%
2004 8.18% 1.7%
2003 10.6% 1.3%
2002 -1.37% 1.8%
2001 9.3% -0.4%
2000 24.4% -0.4%
1999 3.39% 0.2%
1998 12.5% 4.5%
1997 31.1% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $167K
Wood & paper products $92K
Machinery & equipment $79K
Metals $62K
Chemicals & pharma $41K
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K

Balance of trade

Burundi Lebanon
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$361M
2024
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$121M
2024
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Lebanon
Economic freedom 40.2 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 183/197
Property rights 27.2 21.8
Government integrity 15.5 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 23.8
Tax burden 76.1 90.3
Government spending 76.3 93.3
Fiscal health 14.6 63.4
Business freedom 27.2 47.6
Labor freedom 49.9 48.4
Monetary freedom 55.5 0
Trade freedom 52.2 65.6
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Lebanon
2026 40.2 43.1
2025 39.7 44.1
2024 38.4 48.3
2023 41.9 45.6
2022 39.4 47.3
2021 49.9 51.4
2020 49 51.7
2019 48.9 51.1
2018 50.9 53.2
2017 53.2 53.3
2016 53.9 59.5
2015 53.7 59.3
2014 51.4 59.4
2013 49 59.5
2012 48.1 60.1
2011 49.6 60.1
2010 47.5 59.5
2009 48.8 58.1
2008 46.2 60
2007 46.9 60.4
2006 48.7 57.5
2005 - 57.2
2004 - 56.9
2003 - 56.7
2002 - 57.1
2001 - 61
2000 42.6 56.1
1999 41.1 59.1
1998 44.7 59
1997 45.4 63.9
1996 - 63.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
1.9%
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/lebanon | 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 (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, 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.