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Economy of Burundi vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Burundi has a GDP of $3.36B compared to $30.1B for Mali, ranking 169/197 and 114/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.39B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $12.6B (41.9% of GDP) in Mali.

Burundi vs Mali GDP by year

Burundi
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Mali
2025 $3,364,713,864 $30,069,148,581
2024 $3,037,579,858 $26,761,281,077
2023 $3,419,558,408 $24,777,941,861
2022 $4,020,736,757 $22,539,987,719
2021 $3,425,127,991 $22,999,245,263
2020 $3,188,355,944 $20,698,560,939
2019 $2,871,555,326 $20,477,421,885
2018 $2,913,411,408 $20,368,015,381
2017 $2,831,362,208 $18,308,362,040
2016 $2,618,093,125 $16,743,796,800
2015 $2,810,532,912 $15,583,181,170
2014 $2,705,826,648 $17,081,681,993
2013 $2,451,624,638 $15,747,192,681
2012 $2,327,402,363 $14,795,114,603
2011 $2,235,812,880 $15,452,791,789
2010 $2,032,135,192 $12,710,739,160
2009 $1,775,495,032 $12,155,217,833
2008 $1,611,835,857 $11,462,490,840
2007 $1,356,199,387 $9,699,047,443
2006 $1,273,375,078 $8,212,007,554
2005 $1,117,113,080 $7,429,066,952
2004 $915,257,323 $6,485,774,930
2003 $784,654,424 $5,605,613,011
2002 $825,394,519 $4,647,238,257
2001 $876,794,723 $4,124,281,594
2000 $870,486,066 $3,521,570,876
1999 $808,077,223 $4,091,446,054
1998 $893,770,740 $3,894,433,432
1997 $972,896,268 $3,414,879,486
1996 $869,033,856 $3,743,103,420
1995 $1,000,428,394 $3,373,322,735
1994 $925,030,590 $2,655,768,636
1993 $938,632,612 $3,632,801,877
1992 $1,083,037,671 $3,680,775,037
1991 $1,167,398,478 $3,576,562,682
1990 $1,132,101,253 $3,248,417,791
1989 $1,113,924,130 $2,824,822,489
1988 $1,082,403,219 $2,712,207,901
1987 $1,131,466,494 $2,437,004,680
1986 $1,201,725,497 $2,132,938,007
1985 $1,149,979,286 $1,594,347,021
1984 $987,143,931 $1,387,809,615
1983 $1,082,926,304 $1,496,616,127
1982 $1,013,222,222 $1,680,304,773
1981 $969,046,667 $2,234,583,940
1980 $919,726,667 $2,704,362,789
1979 $782,496,667 $1,595,422,956
1978 $610,225,556 $1,222,702,573
1977 $547,535,556 $1,049,838,548
1976 $448,412,754 $939,228,017
1975 $420,986,667 $830,710,615
1974 $345,263,492 $538,747,340
1973 $304,339,524 $563,683,703
1972 $246,804,571 $486,617,280
1971 $252,842,286 $395,218,629
1970 $242,732,571 $359,772,315
1969 $190,205,714 $339,913,867
1968 $183,200,000 $343,771,973
1967 $178,297,143 $275,494,478
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Mali by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $233.8 - $1,193 -
2024 $216.2 $1,195 $1,093 $3,315
2023 $249.8 $1,150 $1,042 $3,175
2022 $302 $1,105 $977 $3,014
2021 $264.2 $1,036 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $252.7 $958 $953 $2,724
2019 $234.3 $868 $972 $2,820
2018 $245.7 $823 $996 $2,684
2017 $246.1 $791 $924 $2,607
2016 $232.9 $764 $872 $2,532
2015 $254.4 $722 $838 $2,330
2014 $250.5 $724 $948 $2,185
2013 $234.8 $687 $902 $2,059
2012 $231.1 $637 $873 $1,990
2011 $230.1 $629 $938 $2,046
2010 $216.7 $614 $797 $2,012
2009 $198.4 $605 $787 $1,945
2008 $189.5 $609 $767 $1,893
2007 $166.2 $594 $671 $1,852
2006 $161.9 $580 $587 $1,832
2005 $147.2 $553 $549 $1,771
2004 $125.2 $552 $495 $1,730
2003 $111.4 $532 $442 $1,715
2002 $121 $545 $378 $1,581
2001 $132.2 $528 $346 $1,559
2000 $134.5 $519 $305 $1,357
1999 $127.5 $523 $364 $1,376
1998 $144.5 $533 $357 $1,332
1997 $160.3 $513 $321 $1,267
1996 $143.2 $513 $360 $1,224
1995 $164.9 $548 $331 $1,154
1994 $161.9 $619 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $165.3 $634 $372 $1,087
1992 $184.9 $640 $385 $1,039
1991 $204.7 $636 $382 $1,091
1990 $202.6 $598 $354 $956
1989 $203.6 - $314 -
1988 $201.7 - $307 -
1987 $215.6 - $280.7 -
1986 $234.3 - $250 -
1985 $228.4 - $190.4 -
1984 $200.4 - $169.1 -
1983 $225.2 - $186.3 -
1982 $216.4 - $213.8 -
1981 $212.2 - $290.5 -
1980 $209.8 - $359 -
1979 $186.2 - $216.3 -
1978 $148.8 - $169.1 -
1977 $137.4 - $148.1 -
1976 $115.5 - $134.9 -
1975 $110.9 - $121.5 -
1974 $93.2 - $80.2 -
1973 $84.3 - $85.4 -
1972 $68.2 - $75.1 -
1971 $69.9 - $62 -
1970 $68.8 - $57.3 -
1969 $55.1 - $55 -
1968 $54.2 - $56.5 -
1967 $54 - $46 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $233.8, ranking 197/197, compared to $1,193 in Mali, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Burundi Mali
Gross domestic product
$3.36B
2025
$30.1B
2025
GDP rank
169/197
2025
114/197
2025
GDP growth
4.24%
2024-2025
5.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$233.8
2025
$1,193
2025
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2025
174/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$1.39B
2025
$12.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2025
41.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$96.3
2025
$500
2025
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2025
168/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,052
2026
$1,949
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2025
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
34.1%
2024-2025
2.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
4.5%
2024
Population
14909238
26322576

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.4% 41.2% 20.9% 41.9%
2024 22.3% 53.1% 21% 44%
2023 28.4% 59.9% 21.2% 44.3%
2022 33.5% 69.8% 20.8% 42.9%
2021 28.4% 63.6% 22.5% 43.2%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 22% 39.8%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 19.5% 34.3%
2018 26% 53% 17% 31.4%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 19.2% 30.1%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 18.6% 30.1%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 17.6% 25.8%
2014 28.5% 38% 16.8% 22.6%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 16.6% 22.2%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 13.1% 21.3%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 17.3% 20.1%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 17.4% 21.8%
2009 38% 25.7% 19.6% 18.8%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 16.2% 17.3%
2007 39% 129.6% 18.1% 15.6%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 18.9% 15.4%
2005 33.1% 137% 18.3% 39.5%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 18.5% 36.1%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 17.8% 37.7%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 16.8% 36%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 15.7% 66.3%
2000 21.7% 120% 16.5% 77%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government spending was $686M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.29B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Burundi and 41.9% in Mali, ranking 129/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Mali
2025 -2.98% -1.59%
2024 -4.83% -2.16%
2023 -7.7% -3.05%
2022 -10.7% -4.05%
2021 -4.6% -4.12%
2020 -6.58% -4.56%
2019 -6.4% -1.42%
2018 -6.66% -3.97%
2017 -5.01% -2.4%
2016 -7.11% -3.3%
2015 -7.56% -1.53%
2014 -3.93% -2.43%
2013 -1.9% -1.99%
2012 -3.79% -0.8%
2011 -3.49% -2.87%
2010 -3.64% -2.21%
2009 -5.14% -3.19%
2008 -2.7% -1.69%
2007 -2.51% -2.35%
2006 -9.92% 23.7%
2005 -10.6% -2.34%
2004 -14.9% -2.01%
2003 -13.7% -1.01%
2002 -4.9% -2.61%
2001 -7.78% -2.39%
2000 -5.66% -2.25%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $478M, or 1.59% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.33% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.48% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Mali
2025 34.1% 2.3%
2024 20.2% 3.2%
2023 26.9% 2.1%
2022 18.8% 9.7%
2021 8.4% 3.8%
2020 7.32% 0.5%
2019 -0.69% -3%
2018 -2.81% 1.9%
2017 16.1% 2.4%
2016 5.56% -1.8%
2015 5.54% 1.4%
2014 4.41% 0.9%
2013 7.94% -0.6%
2012 18.2% 5.3%
2011 9.59% 3%
2010 6.49% 1.2%
2009 10.6% 2.4%
2008 24.4% 9.2%
2007 8.41% 1.4%
2006 2.75% 1.6%
2005 13.3% 6.4%
2004 8.18% -3.1%
2003 10.6% -1.3%
2002 -1.37% 5%
2001 9.3% 5.2%
2000 24.4% -0.8%
1999 3.39% -1.2%
1998 12.5% 4.1%
1997 31.1% -0.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 2.09% in Mali. In 2025, inflation was 34.1% in Burundi and 2.3% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Mali
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $29K
Textiles & consumer goods $25K
Metals $19K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Wood & paper products $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Burundi Mali
Current account balance
-$461M
2025
-$1.16B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2025
122/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.7%
2025
-4.33%
2024
Goods imports
$1.1B
2025
$5.49B
2024
Goods exports
$407M
2025
$5.48B
2024
Service imports
$406M
2025
$1.8B
2024
Service exports
$148M
2025
$516M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
26.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
22.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Mali
Economic freedom 40.2 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 150/197
Property rights 27.2 13.8
Government integrity 15.5 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 23.3
Tax burden 76.1 67.9
Government spending 76.3 81.8
Fiscal health 14.6 73.6
Business freedom 27.2 40.8
Labor freedom 49.9 54.1
Monetary freedom 55.5 78.2
Trade freedom 52.2 64
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Mali
2026 40.2 52.1
2025 39.7 52.6
2024 38.4 52.5
2023 41.9 54.5
2022 39.4 55.9
2021 49.9 55.6
2020 49 55.9
2019 48.9 58.1
2018 50.9 57.6
2017 53.2 58.6
2016 53.9 56.5
2015 53.7 56.4
2014 51.4 55.5
2013 49 56.4
2012 48.1 55.8
2011 49.6 56.3
2010 47.5 55.6
2009 48.8 55.6
2008 46.2 55.6
2007 46.9 54.7
2006 48.7 54.1
2005 - 57.3
2004 - 56.6
2003 - 58.6
2002 - 61.1
2001 - 60.1
2000 42.6 60.3
1999 41.1 58.4
1998 44.7 57.3
1997 45.4 56.4
1996 - 57
1995 - 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Mali
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2025
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2025
23.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2025
33%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.46B
2025
$28.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,250
2025
$3,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$31.2M
2025
-$843M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.18%
2024
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
20%
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/mali | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, 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.