Skip to content

Economy of Burundi vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 169/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Burundi vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Burundi
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Papua New Guinea
2024 $3,082,433,067 $31,800,428,266
2023 $3,430,949,250 $30,816,367,067
2022 $4,036,192,553 $31,653,185,953
2021 $3,435,598,073 $26,109,413,521
2020 $3,227,847,281 $23,848,447,850
2019 $2,871,555,326 $24,750,626,030
2018 $2,913,411,408 $24,109,780,708
2017 $2,831,362,208 $22,742,699,138
2016 $2,618,093,125 $20,758,876,953
2015 $2,810,532,912 $21,723,437,010
2014 $2,705,826,648 $23,210,823,987
2013 $2,451,624,638 $21,261,338,065
2012 $2,327,402,363 $21,295,168,666
2011 $2,235,812,880 $17,985,138,066
2010 $2,032,135,192 $14,250,786,675
2009 $1,775,495,032 $11,619,456,449
2008 $1,611,835,857 $11,670,892,801
2007 $1,356,199,387 $9,545,028,944
2006 $1,273,375,078 $8,354,911,041
2005 $1,117,113,080 $4,865,892,972
2004 $915,257,323 $3,927,157,867
2003 $784,654,424 $3,536,411,824
2002 $825,394,519 $2,999,511,040
2001 $876,794,723 $3,081,024,212
2000 $870,486,066 $3,521,339,699
1999 $808,077,223 $3,477,038,204
1998 $893,770,740 $3,789,443,015
1997 $972,896,268 $4,936,615,299
1996 $869,033,856 $5,155,311,077
1995 $1,000,428,394 $4,636,057,476
1994 $925,030,590 $5,502,786,070
1993 $938,632,612 $4,974,550,286
1992 $1,083,037,671 $4,377,980,510
1991 $1,167,398,478 $3,787,394,958
1990 $1,132,101,253 $3,219,729,083
1989 $1,113,924,130 $3,546,472,566
1988 $1,082,403,219 $3,656,177,881
1987 $1,131,466,494 $3,143,851,794
1986 $1,201,725,497 $2,647,995,602
1985 $1,149,979,286 $2,423,339,172
1984 $987,143,931 $2,552,662,617
1983 $1,082,926,304 $2,562,351,551
1982 $1,013,222,222 $2,368,719,683
1981 $969,046,667 $2,498,190,847
1980 $919,726,667 $2,545,808,456
1979 $782,496,667 $2,293,760,511
1978 $610,225,556 $1,947,878,831
1977 $547,535,556 $1,640,746,619
1976 $448,412,754 $1,511,843,235
1975 $420,986,667 $1,356,603,608
1974 $345,263,492 $1,467,417,672
1973 $304,339,524 $1,299,079,410
1972 $246,804,571 $858,761,926
1971 $252,842,286 $717,750,278
1970 $242,732,571 $645,568,215
1969 $190,205,714 $551,263,864
1968 $183,200,000 $485,184,190
1967 $178,297,143 $441,728,183
1966 $165,444,571 $390,992,063
1965 $158,994,963 $344,176,055
1964 $260,750,008 $305,312,049
1963 $232,749,998 $275,968,044
1962 $213,500,006 $261,184,042
1961 $202,999,992 $244,832,039
1960 $195,999,990 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Papua New Guinea by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $303 $1,105 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $265 $1,036 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $255.8 $958 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $234.3 $868 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $245.7 $823 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $246.1 $791 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $232.9 $764 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $254.4 $722 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $250.5 $724 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $234.8 $687 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $231.1 $637 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $230.1 $629 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $216.7 $614 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $189.5 $609 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $161.9 $580 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $147.2 $553 $744 $2,322
2004 $125.2 $552 $621 $2,187
2003 $111.4 $532 $577 $2,142
2002 $121 $545 $506 $2,125
2001 $132.2 $528 $538 $2,168
2000 $134.5 $519 $636 $2,196
1999 $127.5 $523 $650 $2,280
1998 $144.5 $533 $733 $2,285
1997 $160.3 $513 $990 $2,432
1996 $143.2 $513 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $164.9 $548 $998 $2,436
1994 $161.9 $619 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $165.3 $634 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $184.9 $640 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $204.7 $636 $942 $1,869
1990 $202.6 $598 $826 $1,703
1989 $203.6 - $934 -
1988 $201.7 - $985 -
1987 $215.6 - $865 -
1986 $234.3 - $745 -
1985 $228.4 - $697 -
1984 $200.4 - $750 -
1983 $225.2 - $769 -
1982 $216.4 - $726 -
1981 $212.2 - $781 -
1980 $209.8 - $813 -
1979 $186.2 - $748 -
1978 $148.8 - $648 -
1977 $137.4 - $558 -
1976 $115.5 - $525 -
1975 $110.9 - $482 -
1974 $93.2 - $533 -
1973 $84.3 - $483 -
1972 $68.2 - $327 -
1971 $69.9 - $279.7 -
1970 $68.8 - $257.6 -
1969 $55.1 - $225.3 -
1968 $54.2 - $202.9 -
1967 $54 - $189 -
1966 $51.4 - $171.1 -
1965 $50.6 - $153.9 -
1964 $85.3 - $139.5 -
1963 $78.4 - $128.9 -
1962 $73.4 - $124.7 -
1961 $71.6 - $119.7 -
1960 $70.9 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Burundi Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
2.69%
2022
Population
14833763
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 22% 52.6%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 26% 53% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 28.5% 38% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 38% 25.7% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 39% 129.6% 18% 22.2%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 19.4% 26%
2005 33.1% 137% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 21.7% 120% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 20% 45.7%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 24% 112% 23.5% 30%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 19.2% - 22.4% -
1990 17.4% - 24.5% -

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 101/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Papua New Guinea
2024 -4.84% -3.23%
2023 -7.7% -4.34%
2022 -10.7% -5.25%
2021 -4.6% -6.84%
2020 -6.58% -8.85%
2019 -6.4% -4.98%
2018 -6.66% -2.58%
2017 -5.01% -2.47%
2016 -7.11% -4.75%
2015 -7.56% -4.55%
2014 -3.93% -6.27%
2013 -1.9% -6.87%
2012 -3.79% -1.19%
2011 -3.49% 2.22%
2010 -3.64% 3.06%
2009 -5.14% -5.48%
2008 -2.7% 2.73%
2007 -2.51% 6.9%
2006 -9.92% 5.34%
2005 -10.6% 2.85%
2004 -14.9% 2.03%
2003 -13.7% 0.19%
2002 -4.9% -1.75%
2001 -7.78% -1.33%
2000 -5.66% 0.3%
1999 -5.33% -1.94%
1998 -4.43% -0.16%
1997 -4.48% 0.67%
1996 -8.61% 2.05%
1995 -3.72% 1.08%
1994 -1.76% -1.01%
1993 -1.22% -4.9%
1992 -4.16% -4.33%
1991 4.14% -0.62%
1990 8.14% -2.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Papua New Guinea
2024 20.2% 0.6%
2023 26.9% 2.3%
2022 18.8% 5.25%
2021 8.4% 4.48%
2020 7.32% 4.87%
2019 -0.69% 3.93%
2018 -2.81% 4.37%
2017 16.1% 5.42%
2016 5.56% 6.67%
2015 5.54% 6%
2014 4.41% 5.22%
2013 7.94% 4.96%
2012 18.2% 4.54%
2011 9.59% 4.44%
2010 6.49% 6.01%
2009 10.6% 6.92%
2008 24.4% 10.8%
2007 8.41% 0.91%
2006 2.75% 2.37%
2005 13.3% 1.78%
2004 8.18% 2.16%
2003 10.6% 14.7%
2002 -1.37% 11.8%
2001 9.3% 9.3%
2000 24.4% 15.6%
1999 3.39% 14.9%
1998 12.5% 13.6%
1997 31.1% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $29K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Burundi Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 40.2 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 134/197
Property rights 27.2 45
Government integrity 15.5 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 41.1
Tax burden 76.1 70.9
Government spending 76.3 86.1
Fiscal health 14.6 65.3
Business freedom 27.2 34.2
Labor freedom 49.9 65.1
Monetary freedom 55.5 77.4
Trade freedom 52.2 80.2
Investment freedom 50 25
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Papua New Guinea
2026 40.2 54.3
2025 39.7 52.5
2024 38.4 49.4
2023 41.9 51.7
2022 39.4 54.6
2021 49.9 58.9
2020 49 58.4
2019 48.9 58.4
2018 50.9 55.7
2017 53.2 50.9
2016 53.9 53.2
2015 53.7 53.1
2014 51.4 53.9
2013 49 53.6
2012 48.1 53.8
2011 49.6 52.6
2010 47.5 53.5
2009 48.8 54.8
2008 46.2 -
2007 46.9 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - 57.2
2000 42.6 55.8
1999 41.1 56.3
1998 44.7 55.2
1997 45.4 56.7
1996 - 58.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1996–2026, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.