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Economy of Burundi vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 169/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Burundi vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Burundi
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Nicaragua
2024 $3,082,433,067 $19,693,982,968
2023 $3,430,949,250 $17,805,842,284
2022 $4,036,192,553 $15,634,572,502
2021 $3,435,598,073 $14,209,020,362
2020 $3,227,847,281 $12,726,422,432
2019 $2,871,555,326 $12,699,023,614
2018 $2,913,411,408 $13,025,221,974
2017 $2,831,362,208 $13,785,893,007
2016 $2,618,093,125 $13,286,093,388
2015 $2,810,532,912 $12,756,696,261
2014 $2,705,826,648 $11,880,438,824
2013 $2,451,624,638 $10,982,988,249
2012 $2,327,402,363 $10,532,017,232
2011 $2,235,812,880 $9,774,329,333
2010 $2,032,135,192 $8,758,602,233
2009 $1,775,495,032 $8,298,702,489
2008 $1,611,835,857 $8,496,967,597
2007 $1,356,199,387 $7,423,375,015
2006 $1,273,375,078 $6,763,672,381
2005 $1,117,113,080 $6,321,324,279
2004 $915,257,323 $5,792,932,838
2003 $784,654,424 $5,322,228,351
2002 $825,394,519 $5,223,727,303
2001 $876,794,723 $5,351,752,034
2000 $870,486,066 $5,109,587,050
1999 $808,077,223 $4,856,026,259
1998 $893,770,740 $4,635,347,386
1997 $972,896,268 $4,389,973,490
1996 $869,033,856 $4,308,351,903
1995 $1,000,428,394 $4,140,470,000
1994 $925,030,590 $3,863,185,119
1993 $938,632,612 $1,756,454,248
1992 $1,083,037,671 $1,792,800,000
1991 $1,167,398,478 $1,488,804,124
1990 $1,132,101,253 $1,009,455,484
1989 $1,113,924,130 $1,013,184,756
1988 $1,082,403,219 $2,630,900,096
1987 $1,131,466,494 $3,851,200,118
1986 $1,201,725,497 $2,885,799,994
1985 $1,149,979,286 $2,683,699,935
1984 $987,143,931 $3,117,599,872
1983 $1,082,926,304 $2,753,100,058
1982 $1,013,222,222 $2,454,499,872
1981 $969,046,667 $2,474,700,227
1980 $919,726,667 $2,144,300,006
1979 $782,496,667 $1,567,599,982
1978 $610,225,556 $2,127,699,979
1977 $547,535,556 $2,226,999,874
1976 $448,412,754 $1,836,899,999
1975 $420,986,667 $1,581,599,959
1974 $345,263,492 $1,521,400,012
1973 $304,339,524 $1,092,900,015
1972 $246,804,571 $878,570,045
1971 $252,842,286 $828,569,953
1970 $242,732,571 $778,569,939
1969 $190,205,714 $750,000,003
1968 $183,200,000 $692,859,985
1967 $178,297,143 $657,140,011
1966 $165,444,571 $607,140,010
1965 $158,994,963 $564,290,020
1964 $260,750,008 $347,119,918
1963 $232,749,998 $297,324,163
1962 $213,500,006 $269,283,804
1961 $202,999,992 $244,144,237
1960 $195,999,990 $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Nicaragua by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $303 $1,105 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $265 $1,036 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $255.8 $958 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $234.3 $868 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $245.7 $823 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $246.1 $791 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $232.9 $764 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $254.4 $722 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $234.8 $687 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $231.1 $637 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $230.1 $629 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $216.7 $614 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $189.5 $609 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $161.9 $580 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $147.2 $553 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $125.2 $552 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $111.4 $532 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $121 $545 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $134.5 $519 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $127.5 $523 $980 $2,672
1998 $144.5 $533 $949 $2,497
1997 $160.3 $513 $913 $2,418
1996 $143.2 $513 $911 $2,325
1995 $164.9 $548 $892 $2,187
1994 $161.9 $619 $849 $2,064
1993 $165.3 $634 $394 $1,998
1992 $184.9 $640 $411 $2,003
1991 $204.7 $636 $350 $1,995
1990 $202.6 $598 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $203.6 - $249.2 -
1988 $201.7 - $662 -
1987 $215.6 - $992 -
1986 $234.3 - $761 -
1985 $228.4 - $724 -
1984 $200.4 - $861 -
1983 $225.2 - $780 -
1982 $216.4 - $714 -
1981 $212.2 - $740 -
1980 $209.8 - $659 -
1979 $186.2 - $495 -
1978 $148.8 - $691 -
1977 $137.4 - $744 -
1976 $115.5 - $633 -
1975 $110.9 - $561 -
1974 $93.2 - $557 -
1973 $84.3 - $413 -
1972 $68.2 - $341 -
1971 $69.9 - $331 -
1970 $68.8 - $321 -
1969 $55.1 - $319 -
1968 $54.2 - $304 -
1967 $54 - $297.9 -
1966 $51.4 - $284 -
1965 $50.6 - $272.3 -
1964 $85.3 - $172.7 -
1963 $78.4 - $152.5 -
1962 $73.4 - $142.3 -
1961 $71.6 - $132.9 -
1960 $70.9 - $127.5 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Burundi Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,318
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
5.2%
2018
Population
14833763
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 26% 42.3%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 30% 48.4%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 26% 53% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 28.5% 38% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 38% 25.7% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 21.9% 26%
2007 39% 129.6% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 33.1% 137% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 20.8% 84%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 21.7% 120% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 18% -
1995 22.1% 117.1% 17.7% -
1994 19.4% 119.6% 18.4% -
1993 24% 112% 18.4% -
1992 26.1% 93.5% 18.4% -
1991 19.2% - 16.8% -
1990 17.4% - 28.2% -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - 24.8% -
1987 - - - 266.6%
1986 - - 26.1% 159.2%
1985 - - 29.9% 218%
1984 - - 31.9% 198%
1983 - - 33.8% 211.6%
1982 - - 49.4% 159.1%
1981 - - 39.3% 149.1%
1980 - - 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 101/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Nicaragua
2024 -4.84% 2.48%
2023 -7.7% 2.31%
2022 -10.7% 0.65%
2021 -4.6% -1.26%
2020 -6.58% -2.57%
2019 -6.4% -1.12%
2018 -6.66% -4.35%
2017 -5.01% -1.75%
2016 -7.11% -1.92%
2015 -7.56% -1.64%
2014 -3.93% -0.89%
2013 -1.9% -0.3%
2012 -3.79% 0.22%
2011 -3.49% 0.59%
2010 -3.64% 0.69%
2009 -5.14% -0.9%
2008 -2.7% 0.27%
2007 -2.51% 1.88%
2006 -9.92% 1.36%
2005 -10.6% 1.72%
2004 -14.9% 1.69%
2003 -13.7% 1.3%
2002 -4.9% 2.07%
2001 -7.78% 0.34%
2000 -5.66% 2.15%
1999 -5.33% -6.86%
1998 -4.43% -2.88%
1997 -4.48% -3.31%
1996 -8.61% -5%
1995 -3.72% -4.62%
1994 -1.76% -5.79%
1993 -1.22% -4.66%
1992 -4.16% -3.8%
1991 4.14% -3.45%
1990 8.14% -15.2%
1989 - -
1988 - -22.4%
1987 - -
1986 - -7.33%
1985 - -11.3%
1984 - -11.8%
1983 - -15.6%
1982 - -20.2%
1981 - -10.6%
1980 - -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.5% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Nicaragua
2024 20.2% 4.6%
2023 26.9% 8.4%
2022 18.8% 10.5%
2021 8.4% 4.9%
2020 7.32% 3.7%
2019 -0.69% 5.4%
2018 -2.81% 4.9%
2017 16.1% 3.9%
2016 5.56% 3.5%
2015 5.54% 4%
2014 4.41% 6%
2013 7.94% 7.1%
2012 18.2% 7.2%
2011 9.59% 8.1%
2010 6.49% 5.5%
2009 10.6% 3.7%
2008 24.4% 19.8%
2007 8.41% 11.1%
2006 2.75% 9.1%
2005 13.3% 9.6%
2004 8.18% 8.5%
2003 10.6% 5.3%
2002 -1.37% 3.8%
2001 9.3% 7.4%
2000 24.4% 11.5%
1999 3.39% 11.2%
1998 12.5% 13%
1997 31.1% 9.2%

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/nicaragua | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Balance of trade

Burundi Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Nicaragua
Economic freedom 40.2 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 139/197
Property rights 27.2 23.8
Government integrity 15.5 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 8.8
Tax burden 76.1 74.5
Government spending 76.3 77.7
Fiscal health 14.6 96.9
Business freedom 27.2 54.4
Labor freedom 49.9 47.3
Monetary freedom 55.5 69.4
Trade freedom 52.2 67
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Nicaragua
2026 40.2 53.6
2025 39.7 54
2024 38.4 53.4
2023 41.9 54.9
2022 39.4 54.8
2021 49.9 56.3
2020 49 57.2
2019 48.9 57.7
2018 50.9 58.9
2017 53.2 59.2
2016 53.9 58.6
2015 53.7 57.6
2014 51.4 58.4
2013 49 56.6
2012 48.1 57.9
2011 49.6 58.8
2010 47.5 58.3
2009 48.8 59.8
2008 46.2 60.8
2007 46.9 62.7
2006 48.7 63.8
2005 - 62.5
2004 - 61.4
2003 - 62.6
2002 - 61.1
2001 - 58
2000 42.6 56.9
1999 41.1 54
1998 44.7 53.8
1997 45.4 53.3
1996 - 54.1
1995 - 42.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
24.7%
2024

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/nicaragua | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.