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Economy of Burundi vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Burundi has a GDP of $3.36B compared to $472B for Malaysia, ranking 169/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.39B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $334B (70.7% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Burundi vs Malaysia GDP by year

Burundi
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Malaysia
2025 $3,364,713,864 $472,193,128,645
2024 $3,037,579,858 $422,227,005,429
2023 $3,419,558,408 $399,949,418,753
2022 $4,020,736,757 $407,830,525,990
2021 $3,425,127,991 $373,784,553,030
2020 $3,188,355,944 $337,456,163,961
2019 $2,871,555,326 $365,177,721,022
2018 $2,913,411,408 $358,788,845,713
2017 $2,831,362,208 $319,109,094,160
2016 $2,618,093,125 $301,256,033,870
2015 $2,810,532,912 $301,355,266,965
2014 $2,705,826,648 $338,066,095,097
2013 $2,451,624,638 $323,276,235,524
2012 $2,327,402,363 $314,443,047,642
2011 $2,235,812,880 $297,951,668,675
2010 $2,032,135,192 $255,017,638,456
2009 $1,775,495,032 $202,257,453,037
2008 $1,611,835,857 $230,811,614,370
2007 $1,356,199,387 $193,549,569,478
2006 $1,273,375,078 $162,692,258,307
2005 $1,117,113,080 $143,534,405,819
2004 $915,257,323 $124,749,473,684
2003 $784,654,424 $110,202,368,421
2002 $825,394,519 $100,845,526,316
2001 $876,794,723 $92,783,947,368
2000 $870,486,066 $93,789,736,842
1999 $808,077,223 $79,148,421,053
1998 $893,770,740 $72,167,498,981
1997 $972,896,268 $100,005,323,302
1996 $869,033,856 $100,855,393,910
1995 $1,000,428,394 $88,705,342,903
1994 $925,030,590 $74,478,356,958
1993 $938,632,612 $66,894,966,969
1992 $1,083,037,671 $59,167,550,163
1991 $1,167,398,478 $49,143,148,094
1990 $1,132,101,253 $44,024,585,240
1989 $1,113,924,130 $38,847,965,293
1988 $1,082,403,219 $35,272,109,220
1987 $1,131,466,494 $32,181,210,158
1986 $1,201,725,497 $27,734,111,400
1985 $1,149,979,286 $31,199,633,353
1984 $987,143,931 $33,942,897,422
1983 $1,082,926,304 $30,347,442,111
1982 $1,013,222,222 $26,804,493,635
1981 $969,046,667 $25,004,285,792
1980 $919,726,667 $24,488,224,677
1979 $782,496,667 $21,213,264,962
1978 $610,225,556 $16,358,079,862
1977 $547,535,556 $13,139,488,633
1976 $448,412,754 $11,050,234,599
1975 $420,986,667 $9,298,800,799
1974 $345,263,492 $9,496,204,302
1973 $304,339,524 $7,662,902,678
1972 $246,804,571 $5,043,347,250
1971 $252,842,286 $4,244,395,956
1970 $242,732,571 $3,864,145,667
1969 $190,205,714 $3,664,552,041
1968 $183,200,000 $3,330,371,551
1967 $178,297,143 $3,188,924,677
1966 $165,444,571 $3,143,517,944
1965 $158,994,963 $2,956,337,669
1964 $260,750,008 $2,674,423,922
1963 $232,749,998 $2,510,110,348
1962 $213,500,006 $2,001,489,602
1961 $202,999,992 $1,901,856,123
1960 $195,999,990 $1,916,229,477

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Malaysia by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $233.8 - $13,125 -
2024 $216.2 $1,195 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $249.8 $1,150 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $302 $1,105 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $264.2 $1,036 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $252.7 $958 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $234.3 $868 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $245.7 $823 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $246.1 $791 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $232.9 $764 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $254.4 $722 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $250.5 $724 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $234.8 $687 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $231.1 $637 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $230.1 $629 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $216.7 $614 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $198.4 $605 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $189.5 $609 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $166.2 $594 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $161.9 $580 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $147.2 $553 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $125.2 $552 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $111.4 $532 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $121 $545 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $132.2 $528 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $134.5 $519 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $127.5 $523 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $144.5 $533 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $160.3 $513 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $143.2 $513 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $164.9 $548 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $161.9 $619 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $165.3 $634 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $184.9 $640 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $204.7 $636 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $202.6 $598 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $203.6 - $2,244 -
1988 $201.7 - $2,100 -
1987 $215.6 - $1,977 -
1986 $234.3 - $1,760 -
1985 $228.4 - $2,046 -
1984 $200.4 - $2,300 -
1983 $225.2 - $2,124 -
1982 $216.4 - $1,938 -
1981 $212.2 - $1,866 -
1980 $209.8 - $1,886 -
1979 $186.2 - $1,680 -
1978 $148.8 - $1,327 -
1977 $137.4 - $1,092 -
1976 $115.5 - $940 -
1975 $110.9 - $811 -
1974 $93.2 - $848 -
1973 $84.3 - $701 -
1972 $68.2 - $472 -
1971 $69.9 - $407 -
1970 $68.8 - $380 -
1969 $55.1 - $368 -
1968 $54.2 - $342 -
1967 $54 - $335 -
1966 $51.4 - $339 -
1965 $50.6 - $326 -
1964 $85.3 - $303 -
1963 $78.4 - $291.8 -
1962 $73.4 - $238.8 -
1961 $71.6 - $232.9 -
1960 $70.9 - $240.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $233.8, ranking 197/197, compared to $13,125 in Malaysia, ranking 78/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Burundi Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$3.36B
2025
$472B
2025
GDP rank
169/197
2025
35/197
2025
GDP growth
4.24%
2024-2025
5.17%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$233.8
2025
$13,125
2025
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$1.39B
2025
$334B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2025
70.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$96.3
2025
$9,273
2025
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2025
62/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,052
2026
$11,034
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$487B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2025
23.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
34.1%
2024-2025
1.38%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
3.9%
2022
Population
14909238
36600906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.4% 41.2% 23.4% 70.7%
2024 22.3% 53.1% 24% 69.8%
2023 28.4% 59.9% 25% 69.7%
2022 33.5% 69.8% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 28.4% 63.6% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 25% 67.7%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 26% 53% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 22% 54.4%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 24.7% 57%
2014 28.5% 38% 26% 55.4%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 38% 25.7% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 39% 129.6% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 33.1% 137% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 25.9% 42%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 21.7% 120% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 24% 112% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 19.2% - 27.4% 67.3%
1990 17.4% - 30.5% 74.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government spending was $686M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $111B, or 23.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Burundi and 70.7% in Malaysia, ranking 129/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Malaysia
2025 -2.98% -3.54%
2024 -4.83% -3.45%
2023 -7.7% -4.11%
2022 -10.7% -4.56%
2021 -4.6% -6.03%
2020 -6.58% -4.9%
2019 -6.4% -2.01%
2018 -6.66% -2.64%
2017 -5.01% -2.41%
2016 -7.11% -2.6%
2015 -7.56% -2.55%
2014 -3.93% -2.63%
2013 -1.9% -3.48%
2012 -3.79% -3.1%
2011 -3.49% -3.57%
2010 -3.64% -4.32%
2009 -5.14% -5.88%
2008 -2.7% -3.4%
2007 -2.51% -2.57%
2006 -9.92% -2.6%
2005 -10.6% -2.83%
2004 -14.9% -3.35%
2003 -13.7% -4.6%
2002 -4.9% -3.96%
2001 -7.78% -4.36%
2000 -5.66% -6.05%
1999 -5.33% -3%
1998 -4.43% -0.63%
1997 -4.48% 4.84%
1996 -8.61% 3.27%
1995 -3.72% 3.1%
1994 -1.76% 5.45%
1993 -1.22% 3.44%
1992 -4.16% 1.81%
1991 4.14% 1.6%
1990 8.14% 0.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $100M, equivalent to 2.98% of GDP. This compares to Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.54% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Malaysia
2025 34.1% 1.38%
2024 20.2% 1.83%
2023 26.9% 2.49%
2022 18.8% 3.38%
2021 8.4% 2.48%
2020 7.32% -1.14%
2019 -0.69% 0.66%
2018 -2.81% 0.88%
2017 16.1% 3.87%
2016 5.56% 2.09%
2015 5.54% 2.1%
2014 4.41% 3.14%
2013 7.94% 2.11%
2012 18.2% 1.66%
2011 9.59% 3.17%
2010 6.49% 1.62%
2009 10.6% 0.58%
2008 24.4% 5.44%
2007 8.41% 2.03%
2006 2.75% 3.61%
2005 13.3% 2.98%
2004 8.18% 1.42%
2003 10.6% 1.09%
2002 -1.37% 1.81%
2001 9.3% 1.42%
2000 24.4% 1.53%
1999 3.39% 2.74%
1998 12.5% 5.27%
1997 31.1% 2.66%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 2.22% in Malaysia. In 2025, inflation was 34.1% in Burundi and 1.38% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $524K
Raw agricultural goods $193K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $108K
Chemicals & pharma $72K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38K
Machinery & equipment $21K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Miscellaneous $4K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Burundi Malaysia
Current account balance
-$461M
2025
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2025
29/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.7%
2025
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$1.1B
2025
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$407M
2025
$248B
2024
Service imports
$406M
2025
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$148M
2025
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
65.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
71%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Malaysia
Economic freedom 40.2 68
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 51/197
Property rights 27.2 62.7
Government integrity 15.5 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 63.4
Tax burden 76.1 83.5
Government spending 76.3 82
Fiscal health 14.6 62.5
Business freedom 27.2 79.6
Labor freedom 49.9 55.4
Monetary freedom 55.5 80.8
Trade freedom 52.2 83
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Malaysia
2026 40.2 68
2025 39.7 67.1
2024 38.4 65.7
2023 41.9 67.3
2022 39.4 68.1
2021 49.9 74.4
2020 49 74.7
2019 48.9 74
2018 50.9 74.5
2017 53.2 73.8
2016 53.9 71.5
2015 53.7 70.8
2014 51.4 69.6
2013 49 66.1
2012 48.1 66.4
2011 49.6 66.3
2010 47.5 64.8
2009 48.8 64.6
2008 46.2 63.9
2007 46.9 63.8
2006 48.7 61.6
2005 - 61.9
2004 - 59.9
2003 - 61.1
2002 - 60.1
2001 - 60.2
2000 42.6 66
1999 41.1 68.9
1998 44.7 68.2
1997 45.4 66.8
1996 - 69.9
1995 - 71.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2025
54.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2025
35.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2025
8.22%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.46B
2025
$445B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,250
2025
$40,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$126B
2025
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
25/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$31.2M
2025
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.18%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
5.1%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
20.5%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.