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Economy of Burundi vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 169/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Burundi vs Liberia GDP by year

Burundi
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Liberia
2024 $3,082,433,067 $4,779,300,900
2023 $3,430,949,250 $4,390,000,000
2022 $4,036,192,553 $4,001,047,000
2021 $3,435,598,073 $3,513,049,500
2020 $3,227,847,281 $3,176,126,300
2019 $2,871,555,326 $3,319,596,500
2018 $2,913,411,408 $3,422,754,800
2017 $2,831,362,208 $3,390,703,400
2016 $2,618,093,125 $3,398,419,600
2015 $2,810,532,912 $3,227,075,700
2014 $2,705,826,648 $3,225,652,000
2013 $2,451,624,638 $3,177,198,100
2012 $2,327,402,363 $2,791,614,000
2011 $2,235,812,880 $2,398,000,000
2010 $2,032,135,192 $1,998,000,000
2009 $1,775,495,032 $1,768,000,000
2008 $1,611,835,857 $1,726,000,000
2007 $1,356,199,387 $1,373,000,000
2006 $1,273,375,078 $1,119,000,000
2005 $1,117,113,080 $949,000,000
2004 $915,257,323 $897,000,000
2003 $784,654,424 $748,000,000
2002 $825,394,519 $927,000,000
2001 $876,794,723 $906,000,000
2000 $870,486,066 $874,000,000
1999 $808,077,223 $441,800,000
1998 $893,770,740 $359,600,000
1997 $972,896,268 $295,900,000
1996 $869,033,856 $159,400,000
1995 $1,000,428,394 $134,800,000
1994 $925,030,590 $132,200,000
1993 $938,632,612 $160,400,000
1992 $1,083,037,671 $223,500,000
1991 $1,167,398,478 $348,000,000
1990 $1,132,101,253 $384,400,000
1989 $1,113,924,130 $786,300,000
1988 $1,082,403,219 $1,038,300,000
1987 $1,131,466,494 $972,800,000
1986 $1,201,725,497 $840,964,400
1985 $1,149,979,286 $851,296,100
1984 $987,143,931 $848,478,300
1983 $1,082,926,304 $823,374,900
1982 $1,013,222,222 $863,933,200
1981 $969,046,667 $846,514,500
1980 $919,726,667 $854,711,500
1979 $782,496,667 $814,067,900
1978 $610,225,556 $717,240,400
1977 $547,535,556 $673,010,600
1976 $448,412,754 $596,675,700
1975 $420,986,667 $577,549,300
1974 $345,263,492 $486,955,000
1973 $304,339,524 $386,968,300
1972 $246,804,571 $368,098,000
1971 $252,842,286 $341,543,100
1970 $242,732,571 $323,099,700
1969 $190,205,714 $306,961,800
1968 $183,200,000 $276,820,700
1967 $178,297,143 $261,024,300
1966 $165,444,571 $244,459,500
1965 $158,994,963 $229,260,800
1964 $260,750,008 $218,929,100
1963 $232,749,998 $200,229,600
1962 $213,500,006 $191,861,800
1961 $202,999,992 $183,920,900
1960 $195,999,990 $190,495,600

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Liberia by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $851 $1,871
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $799 $1,795
2022 $303 $1,105 $745 $1,692
2021 $265 $1,036 $668 $1,539
2020 $255.8 $958 $617 $1,660
2019 $234.3 $868 $658 $1,900
2018 $245.7 $823 $692 $1,800
2017 $246.1 $791 $699 $1,665
2016 $232.9 $764 $715 $1,490
2015 $254.4 $722 $693 $1,340
2014 $250.5 $724 $707 $1,419
2013 $234.8 $687 $711 $1,360
2012 $231.1 $637 $638 $1,157
2011 $230.1 $629 $568 $1,041
2010 $216.7 $614 $492 $980
2009 $198.4 $605 $448 $939
2008 $189.5 $609 $452 $915
2007 $166.2 $594 $374 $873
2006 $161.9 $580 $321 $815
2005 $147.2 $553 $287.5 $774
2004 $125.2 $552 $284.1 $745
2003 $111.4 $532 $239.8 $716
2002 $121 $545 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $132.2 $528 $300 $987
2000 $134.5 $519 $298.5 $965
1999 $127.5 $523 $156.6 $762
1998 $144.5 $533 $134.7 $652
1997 $160.3 $513 $122.6 $548
1996 $143.2 $513 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $164.9 $548 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $161.9 $619 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $165.3 $634 $74.4 $328
1992 $184.9 $640 $107.8 $497
1991 $204.7 $636 $177.9 $793
1990 $202.6 $598 $172.9 $787
1989 $203.6 - $312 -
1988 $201.7 - $424 -
1987 $215.6 - $409 -
1986 $234.3 - $364 -
1985 $228.4 - $380 -
1984 $200.4 - $390 -
1983 $225.2 - $391 -
1982 $216.4 - $422 -
1981 $212.2 - $426 -
1980 $209.8 - $443 -
1979 $186.2 - $435 -
1978 $148.8 - $394 -
1977 $137.4 - $381 -
1976 $115.5 - $347 -
1975 $110.9 - $346 -
1974 $93.2 - $299.4 -
1973 $84.3 - $244.4 -
1972 $68.2 - $238.6 -
1971 $69.9 - $227.1 -
1970 $68.8 - $220.3 -
1969 $55.1 - $214.7 -
1968 $54.2 - $198.6 -
1967 $54 - $192.2 -
1966 $51.4 - $184.6 -
1965 $50.6 - $177.6 -
1964 $85.3 - $173.9 -
1963 $78.4 - $163.1 -
1962 $73.4 - $160.3 -
1961 $71.6 - $157.5 -
1960 $70.9 - $167.2 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Burundi Liberia
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$1,191
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
5.93%
2017
Population
14833763
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 26% 53% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 28.5% 38% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 38% 25.7% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 39% 129.6% 17.2% 394%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 11.1% 472%
2005 33.1% 137% 12.8% 535%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 12.1% 543%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 9.85% 658%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 13.2% 481%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 12.6% 484%
2000 21.7% 120% 15.2% 489%
1999 20.5% 140.6% - -
1998 19.9% 138.9% - -
1997 18.8% 122.8% - -
1996 24.4% 139.4% - -
1995 22.1% 117.1% - -
1994 19.4% 119.6% - -
1993 24% 112% - -
1992 26.1% 93.5% - -
1991 19.2% - - -
1990 17.4% - - -

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/liberia | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 101/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Liberia
2024 -4.84% -1.98%
2023 -7.7% -7.03%
2022 -10.7% -5.33%
2021 -4.6% -2.5%
2020 -6.58% -4.02%
2019 -6.4% -4.92%
2018 -6.66% -4.7%
2017 -5.01% -7.14%
2016 -7.11% -3.83%
2015 -7.56% -3.74%
2014 -3.93% -4.92%
2013 -1.9% 1.29%
2012 -3.79% -2.86%
2011 -3.49% -4.43%
2010 -3.64% 1.17%
2009 -5.14% -1.39%
2008 -2.7% -2.68%
2007 -2.51% 2.44%
2006 -9.92% 4.42%
2005 -10.6% -0.55%
2004 -14.9% -0.56%
2003 -13.7% 0.39%
2002 -4.9% -1.63%
2001 -7.78% -0.98%
2000 -5.66% -0.08%
1999 -5.33% -
1998 -4.43% -
1997 -4.48% -
1996 -8.61% -
1995 -3.72% -
1994 -1.76% -
1993 -1.22% -
1992 -4.16% -
1991 4.14% -
1990 8.14% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/liberia | 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 Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Liberia
2024 20.2% 8.2%
2023 26.9% 10.1%
2022 18.8% 7.6%
2021 8.4% 7.8%
2020 7.32% 17%
2019 -0.69% 27%
2018 -2.81% 23.5%
2017 16.1% 12.4%
2016 5.56% 8.8%
2015 5.54% 7.7%
2014 4.41% 9.9%
2013 7.94% 7.6%
2012 18.2% 6.8%
2011 9.59% 8.5%
2010 6.49% 7.3%
2009 10.6% 7.4%
2008 24.4% 17.5%
2007 8.41% 11.4%
2006 2.75% 9.5%
2005 13.3% 6.9%
2004 8.18% 3.6%
2003 10.6% 10.3%
2002 -1.37% 14.2%
2001 9.3% 12.1%
2000 24.4% 5.3%
1999 3.39% 2%
1998 12.5% -
1997 31.1% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 26 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.2%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 8.2% in Liberia.

Balance of trade

Burundi Liberia
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$361M
2024
$434M
2022
Service exports
$121M
2024
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
28.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Liberia
Economic freedom 40.2 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 163/197
Property rights 27.2 40.4
Government integrity 15.5 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 23.4
Tax burden 76.1 86.1
Government spending 76.3 79.5
Fiscal health 14.6 56.9
Business freedom 27.2 38
Labor freedom 49.9 43.4
Monetary freedom 55.5 71.4
Trade freedom 52.2 57.4
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Liberia
2026 40.2 49.8
2025 39.7 48.5
2024 38.4 49.9
2023 41.9 49.6
2022 39.4 47.9
2021 49.9 49.2
2020 49 49
2019 48.9 49.7
2018 50.9 50.9
2017 53.2 49.1
2016 53.9 52.2
2015 53.7 52.7
2014 51.4 52.4
2013 49 49.3
2012 48.1 48.6
2011 49.6 46.5
2010 47.5 46.2
2009 48.8 48.1
2008 46.2 -
2007 46.9 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 42.6 -
1999 41.1 -
1998 44.7 -
1997 45.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Liberia
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
n/a

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/liberia | 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 (1997–2026, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.