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Economy of Burundi vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 169/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Burundi vs Nigeria GDP by year

Burundi
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Nigeria
2024 $3,082,433,067 $252,261,880,141
2023 $3,430,949,250 $487,387,801,881
2022 $4,036,192,553 $646,950,257,578
2021 $3,435,598,073 $609,147,716,973
2020 $3,227,847,281 $598,586,817,819
2019 $2,871,555,326 $668,219,992,691
2018 $2,913,411,408 $421,739,251,509
2017 $2,831,362,208 $375,745,731,053
2016 $2,618,093,125 $404,649,125,252
2015 $2,810,532,912 $493,026,682,801
2014 $2,705,826,648 $574,183,763,412
2013 $2,451,624,638 $520,117,180,314
2012 $2,327,402,363 $463,971,018,239
2011 $2,235,812,880 $414,466,676,831
2010 $2,032,135,192 $366,990,417,129
2009 $1,775,495,032 $295,008,835,381
2008 $1,611,835,857 $339,476,276,258
2007 $1,356,199,387 $278,260,846,800
2006 $1,273,375,078 $238,454,997,161
2005 $1,117,113,080 $175,670,569,969
2004 $915,257,323 $135,764,731,646
2003 $784,654,424 $104,738,954,264
2002 $825,394,519 $95,054,059,303
2001 $876,794,723 $73,557,840,064
2000 $870,486,066 $69,171,451,627
1999 $808,077,223 $59,145,077,039
1998 $893,770,740 $218,416,200,673
1997 $972,896,268 $200,850,397,618
1996 $869,033,856 $185,730,236,700
1995 $1,000,428,394 $140,919,776,986
1994 $925,030,590 $80,399,613,064
1993 $938,632,612 $56,721,051,402
1992 $1,083,037,671 $52,058,181,854
1991 $1,167,398,478 $59,526,833,412
1990 $1,132,101,253 $54,035,795,388
1989 $1,113,924,130 $44,003,061,108
1988 $1,082,403,219 $49,648,470,440
1987 $1,131,466,494 $52,676,041,931
1986 $1,201,725,497 $54,805,852,581
1985 $1,149,979,286 $73,745,821,158
1984 $987,143,931 $73,484,359,521
1983 $1,082,926,304 $97,094,911,792
1982 $1,013,222,222 $142,769,363,314
1981 $969,046,667 $164,475,209,516
1980 $919,726,667 $64,201,788,123
1979 $782,496,667 $47,259,911,894
1978 $610,225,556 $36,527,862,209
1977 $547,535,556 $36,035,407,725
1976 $448,412,754 $36,308,883,249
1975 $420,986,667 $27,778,934,625
1974 $345,263,492 $24,846,641,318
1973 $304,339,524 $15,162,871,287
1972 $246,804,571 $12,274,416,018
1971 $252,842,286 $9,181,769,912
1970 $242,732,571 $12,546,094,982
1969 $190,205,714 $6,634,317,346
1968 $183,200,000 $5,200,997,920
1967 $178,297,143 $5,203,237,919
1966 $165,444,571 $6,366,917,453
1965 $158,994,963 $5,874,537,650
1964 $260,750,008 $5,552,931,319
1963 $232,749,998 $5,165,590,254
1962 $213,500,006 $4,909,399,176
1961 $202,999,992 $4,467,287,893
1960 $195,999,990 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Nigeria by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $303 $1,105 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $265 $1,036 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $255.8 $958 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $234.3 $868 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $245.7 $823 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $246.1 $791 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $232.9 $764 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $254.4 $722 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $250.5 $724 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $234.8 $687 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $231.1 $637 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $230.1 $629 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $216.7 $614 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $189.5 $609 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $161.9 $580 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $147.2 $553 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $125.2 $552 $962 $4,381
2003 $111.4 $532 $763 $4,015
2002 $121 $545 $712 $3,770
2001 $132.2 $528 $566 $3,309
2000 $134.5 $519 $547 $3,139
1999 $127.5 $523 $481 $3,002
1998 $144.5 $533 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $160.3 $513 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $143.2 $513 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $164.9 $548 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $161.9 $619 $745 $2,853
1993 $165.3 $634 $540 $2,921
1992 $184.9 $640 $509 $2,991
1991 $204.7 $636 $597 $2,870
1990 $202.6 $598 $556 $2,840
1989 $203.6 - $465 -
1988 $201.7 - $540 -
1987 $215.6 - $588 -
1986 $234.3 - $628 -
1985 $228.4 - $869 -
1984 $200.4 - $890 -
1983 $225.2 - $1,207 -
1982 $216.4 - $1,822 -
1981 $212.2 - $2,162 -
1980 $209.8 - $870 -
1979 $186.2 - $661 -
1978 $148.8 - $527 -
1977 $137.4 - $536 -
1976 $115.5 - $556 -
1975 $110.9 - $438 -
1974 $93.2 - $403 -
1973 $84.3 - $252.4 -
1972 $68.2 - $209.5 -
1971 $69.9 - $160.5 -
1970 $68.8 - $224.5 -
1969 $55.1 - $121.4 -
1968 $54.2 - $97.3 -
1967 $54 - $99.5 -
1966 $51.4 - $124.4 -
1965 $50.6 - $117.3 -
1964 $85.3 - $113.3 -
1963 $78.4 - $107.7 -
1962 $73.4 - $104.5 -
1961 $71.6 - $97.1 -
1960 $70.9 - $93.1 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Burundi Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
3.45%
2024
Population
14833763
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 26% 53% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 8.51% 18%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 28.5% 38% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 10% 13%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 38% 25.7% 11% 6.12%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 39% 129.6% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 33.1% 137% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 13% 25.2%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 21.7% 120% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 24% 112% 20% 50.4%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 19.2% - 13.6% 53.2%
1990 17.4% - 14.2% 50.9%

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/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 101/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Nigeria
2024 -4.84% -1.57%
2023 -7.7% -3.12%
2022 -10.7% -4%
2021 -4.6% -3.97%
2020 -6.58% -4.03%
2019 -6.4% -3.31%
2018 -6.66% -3.06%
2017 -5.01% -3.85%
2016 -7.11% -3.3%
2015 -7.56% -2.7%
2014 -3.93% -1.72%
2013 -1.9% -1.89%
2012 -3.79% -0.09%
2011 -3.49% 0.31%
2010 -3.64% -2.96%
2009 -5.14% -3.78%
2008 -2.7% 4.05%
2007 -2.51% -0.79%
2006 -9.92% 6.22%
2005 -10.6% 3.49%
2004 -14.9% 3.9%
2003 -13.7% -1.56%
2002 -4.9% 0.95%
2001 -7.78% -2.29%
2000 -5.66% 2.89%
1999 -5.33% -1.39%
1998 -4.43% -3.47%
1997 -4.48% 1.14%
1996 -8.61% 3.37%
1995 -3.72% 2.52%
1994 -1.76% -2.96%
1993 -1.22% -6.07%
1992 -4.16% 0.94%
1991 4.14% -1.18%
1990 8.14% -0.48%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Nigeria
2024 20.2% 33.2%
2023 26.9% 24.7%
2022 18.8% 18.8%
2021 8.4% 17%
2020 7.32% 13.2%
2019 -0.69% 11.4%
2018 -2.81% 12.1%
2017 16.1% 16.5%
2016 5.56% 15.7%
2015 5.54% 9.01%
2014 4.41% 8.05%
2013 7.94% 8.5%
2012 18.2% 12.2%
2011 9.59% 10.8%
2010 6.49% 13.7%
2009 10.6% 12.5%
2008 24.4% 11.6%
2007 8.41% 5.39%
2006 2.75% 8.23%
2005 13.3% 17.9%
2004 8.18% 15%
2003 10.6% 14%
2002 -1.37% 12.9%
2001 9.3% 18.9%
2000 24.4% 6.93%
1999 3.39% 6.62%
1998 12.5% 10%
1997 31.1% 8.53%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $7K
Raw materials & minerals $6K
Animal & marine products $2K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $690K

Balance of trade

Burundi Nigeria
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Nigeria
Economic freedom 40.2 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 132/197
Property rights 27.2 29.7
Government integrity 15.5 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 34.4
Tax burden 76.1 84.6
Government spending 76.3 96.3
Fiscal health 14.6 83.5
Business freedom 27.2 50.3
Labor freedom 49.9 75.4
Monetary freedom 55.5 56.1
Trade freedom 52.2 64.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Nigeria
2026 40.2 54.8
2025 39.7 53.4
2024 38.4 53.1
2023 41.9 53.9
2022 39.4 54.4
2021 49.9 58.7
2020 49 57.2
2019 48.9 57.3
2018 50.9 58.5
2017 53.2 57.1
2016 53.9 57.5
2015 53.7 55.6
2014 51.4 54.3
2013 49 55.1
2012 48.1 56.3
2011 49.6 56.7
2010 47.5 56.8
2009 48.8 55.1
2008 46.2 55.1
2007 46.9 55.6
2006 48.7 48.7
2005 - 48.4
2004 - 49.2
2003 - 49.5
2002 - 50.9
2001 - 49.6
2000 42.6 53.1
1999 41.1 55.7
1998 44.7 52.3
1997 45.4 52.8
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
56.2%
2023
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/nigeria | 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 (1995–2026, 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. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.