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Economy of Burundi vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 169/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Burundi vs Panama GDP by year

Burundi
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Panama
2024 $3,082,433,067 $86,523,959,132
2023 $3,430,949,250 $83,812,155,244
2022 $4,036,192,553 $76,479,304,471
2021 $3,435,598,073 $67,396,392,506
2020 $3,227,847,281 $57,059,846,522
2019 $2,871,555,326 $69,778,991,193
2018 $2,913,411,408 $67,316,471,181
2017 $2,831,362,208 $64,327,688,826
2016 $2,618,093,125 $59,760,858,718
2015 $2,810,532,912 $55,767,806,073
2014 $2,705,826,648 $51,427,104,882
2013 $2,451,624,638 $46,949,496,479
2012 $2,327,402,363 $41,595,439,721
2011 $2,235,812,880 $35,687,738,252
2010 $2,032,135,192 $30,231,009,533
2009 $1,775,495,032 $27,791,215,547
2008 $1,611,835,857 $25,721,327,955
2007 $1,356,199,387 $21,717,433,808
2006 $1,273,375,078 $18,659,721,513
2005 $1,117,113,080 $16,623,906,739
2004 $915,257,323 $15,100,203,362
2003 $784,654,424 $13,603,456,003
2002 $825,394,519 $12,800,851,271
2001 $876,794,723 $12,252,906,341
2000 $870,486,066 $11,966,497,049
1999 $808,077,223 $11,660,704,777
1998 $893,770,740 $11,019,557,689
1997 $972,896,268 $10,058,854,386
1996 $869,033,856 $9,197,503,323
1995 $1,000,428,394 $9,573,813,700
1994 $925,030,590 $9,365,289,800
1993 $938,632,612 $8,782,585,400
1992 $1,083,037,671 $8,042,337,700
1991 $1,167,398,478 $7,074,675,500
1990 $1,132,101,253 $6,433,967,000
1989 $1,113,924,130 $5,918,469,800
1988 $1,082,403,219 $5,902,783,400
1987 $1,131,466,494 $6,827,665,300
1986 $1,201,725,497 $6,797,834,200
1985 $1,149,979,286 $6,541,517,100
1984 $987,143,931 $6,183,387,100
1983 $1,082,926,304 $5,923,755,900
1982 $1,013,222,222 $5,769,767,900
1981 $969,046,667 $5,222,421,500
1980 $919,726,667 $4,614,086,400
1979 $782,496,667 $3,704,551,600
1978 $610,225,556 $3,244,558,600
1977 $547,535,556 $2,738,261,900
1976 $448,412,754 $2,588,106,000
1975 $420,986,667 $2,435,304,100
1974 $345,263,492 $2,188,307,600
1973 $304,339,524 $1,913,793,400
1972 $246,804,571 $1,673,411,700
1971 $252,842,286 $1,523,917,200
1970 $242,732,571 $1,351,006,400
1969 $190,205,714 $1,221,305,700
1968 $183,200,000 $1,112,791,100
1967 $178,297,143 $1,034,376,400
1966 $165,444,571 $928,833,000
1965 $158,994,963 $852,485,300
1964 $260,750,008 $776,137,500
1963 $232,749,998 $722,784,500
1962 $213,500,006 $652,120,900
1961 $202,999,992 $599,026,300
1960 $195,999,990 $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Panama by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $19,161 $41,369
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $18,797 $39,813
2022 $303 $1,105 $17,379 $36,333
2021 $265 $1,036 $15,510 $30,933
2020 $255.8 $958 $13,291 $27,017
2019 $234.3 $868 $16,478 $33,240
2018 $245.7 $823 $16,151 $32,464
2017 $246.1 $791 $15,695 $33,533
2016 $232.9 $764 $14,832 $30,277
2015 $254.4 $722 $14,083 $27,245
2014 $250.5 $724 $13,213 $24,376
2013 $234.8 $687 $12,273 $21,924
2012 $231.1 $637 $11,065 $19,473
2011 $230.1 $629 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $216.7 $614 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $198.4 $605 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $189.5 $609 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $166.2 $594 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $161.9 $580 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $147.2 $553 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $125.2 $552 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $111.4 $532 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $121 $545 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $132.2 $528 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $134.5 $519 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $127.5 $523 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $144.5 $533 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $160.3 $513 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $143.2 $513 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $164.9 $548 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $161.9 $619 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $165.3 $634 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $184.9 $640 $3,140 $5,582
1991 $204.7 $636 $2,821 $5,150
1990 $202.6 $598 $2,620 $4,651
1989 $203.6 - $2,462 -
1988 $201.7 - $2,509 -
1987 $215.6 - $2,966 -
1986 $234.3 - $3,019 -
1985 $228.4 - $2,972 -
1984 $200.4 - $2,875 -
1983 $225.2 - $2,819 -
1982 $216.4 - $2,811 -
1981 $212.2 - $2,605 -
1980 $209.8 - $2,357 -
1979 $186.2 - $1,938 -
1978 $148.8 - $1,738 -
1977 $137.4 - $1,503 -
1976 $115.5 - $1,457 -
1975 $110.9 - $1,406 -
1974 $93.2 - $1,296 -
1973 $84.3 - $1,164 -
1972 $68.2 - $1,046 -
1971 $69.9 - $979 -
1970 $68.8 - $893 -
1969 $55.1 - $830 -
1968 $54.2 - $778 -
1967 $54 - $745 -
1966 $51.4 - $689 -
1965 $50.6 - $651 -
1964 $85.3 - $611 -
1963 $78.4 - $587 -
1962 $73.4 - $546 -
1961 $71.6 - $516 -
1960 $70.9 - $477 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Burundi Panama
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
78/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
56/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
0.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
8.61%
2024
Population
14833763
4642198

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 23.1% 57.4%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 21.4% 51.2%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 21.3% 52.7%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 23.8% 54.4%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 27.5% 61.5%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 26% 53% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 28.5% 38% 23% 34.7%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 22.8% 34%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 38% 25.7% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 22.7% 40%
2007 39% 129.6% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 33.1% 137% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 23.5% 57%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 21.7% 120% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 23% 55.1%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 23.4% 58.1%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 22.2% 60.2%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 21.5% 65%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 25.9% 76.6%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 25.2% 78.3%
1993 24% 112% 33.8% 83.6%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 27.8% 91.2%
1991 19.2% - 20.9% 103.7%
1990 17.4% - 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

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/panama | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 101/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Panama
2024 -4.84% -7.42%
2023 -7.7% -3.9%
2022 -10.7% -3.98%
2021 -4.6% -6.48%
2020 -6.58% -10.2%
2019 -6.4% -2.89%
2018 -6.66% -2.88%
2017 -5.01% -1.92%
2016 -7.11% -1.89%
2015 -7.56% -2.3%
2014 -3.93% -3.21%
2013 -1.9% -2.38%
2012 -3.79% -1.31%
2011 -3.49% -1.96%
2010 -3.64% -1.68%
2009 -5.14% -0.9%
2008 -2.7% 0.37%
2007 -2.51% 3.12%
2006 -9.92% 0.51%
2005 -10.6% -2.21%
2004 -14.9% -4.33%
2003 -13.7% -2.27%
2002 -4.9% -0.96%
2001 -7.78% -0.42%
2000 -5.66% 2.05%
1999 -5.33% -0.65%
1998 -4.43% -1.11%
1997 -4.48% 1.24%
1996 -8.61% 2.48%
1995 -3.72% 2.3%
1994 -1.76% 2.12%
1993 -1.22% -9.4%
1992 -4.16% -2.62%
1991 4.14% -0.6%
1990 8.14% -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $6.42B, or 7.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.98% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Panama
2024 20.2% 0.69%
2023 26.9% 1.49%
2022 18.8% 2.86%
2021 8.4% 1.63%
2020 7.32% -1.55%
2019 -0.69% -0.36%
2018 -2.81% 0.76%
2017 16.1% 0.88%
2016 5.56% 0.74%
2015 5.54% 0.14%
2014 4.41% 2.63%
2013 7.94% 4.03%
2012 18.2% 5.7%
2011 9.59% 5.88%
2010 6.49% 3.49%
2009 10.6% 2.41%
2008 24.4% 8.76%
2007 8.41% 4.17%
2006 2.75% 2.46%
2005 13.3% 2.86%
2004 8.18% 0.47%
2003 10.6% 0.39%
2002 -1.37% 1.01%
2001 9.3% 0.31%
2000 24.4% 1.5%
1999 3.39% 1.25%
1998 12.5% 0.56%
1997 31.1% 1.32%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 2.02% in Panama. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 0.69% in Panama.

Balance of trade

Burundi Panama
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$18.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Panama
Economic freedom 40.2 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 70/197
Property rights 27.2 56.7
Government integrity 15.5 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 49.6
Tax burden 76.1 86.1
Government spending 76.3 85.5
Fiscal health 14.6 51.8
Business freedom 27.2 72.6
Labor freedom 49.9 60.9
Monetary freedom 55.5 78.2
Trade freedom 52.2 80.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Panama
2026 40.2 64.9
2025 39.7 65.5
2024 38.4 64.1
2023 41.9 63.8
2022 39.4 65.4
2021 49.9 66.2
2020 49 67.2
2019 48.9 67.2
2018 50.9 67
2017 53.2 66.3
2016 53.9 64.8
2015 53.7 64.1
2014 51.4 63.4
2013 49 62.5
2012 48.1 65.2
2011 49.6 64.9
2010 47.5 64.8
2009 48.8 64.7
2008 46.2 64.7
2007 46.9 64.6
2006 48.7 65.6
2005 - 64.3
2004 - 65.3
2003 - 68.4
2002 - 68.5
2001 - 70.6
2000 42.6 71.6
1999 41.1 72.6
1998 44.7 72.6
1997 45.4 72.4
1996 - 71.8
1995 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Panama
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$865M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
33.5%
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/panama | 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 (1946–1999, 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.