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Economy of Burundi vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 169/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Burundi vs Romania GDP by year

Burundi
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Romania
2024 $3,082,433,067 $382,564,217,989
2023 $3,430,949,250 $347,757,995,759
2022 $4,036,192,553 $295,319,437,557
2021 $3,435,598,073 $285,071,280,114
2020 $3,227,847,281 $250,625,048,304
2019 $2,871,555,326 $250,080,428,512
2018 $2,913,411,408 $241,791,427,224
2017 $2,831,362,208 $210,147,385,855
2016 $2,618,093,125 $185,290,759,249
2015 $2,810,532,912 $177,885,131,240
2014 $2,705,826,648 $199,722,319,676
2013 $2,451,624,638 $189,798,603,751
2012 $2,327,402,363 $179,117,323,107
2011 $2,235,812,880 $192,623,977,894
2010 $2,032,135,192 $170,064,350,672
2009 $1,775,495,032 $174,110,532,659
2008 $1,611,835,857 $214,315,932,061
2007 $1,356,199,387 $174,588,782,939
2006 $1,273,375,078 $122,023,735,993
2005 $1,117,113,080 $98,454,380,120
2004 $915,257,323 $74,973,656,852
2003 $784,654,424 $57,806,384,143
2002 $825,394,519 $46,065,502,703
2001 $876,794,723 $40,395,116,581
2000 $870,486,066 $37,253,739,511
1999 $808,077,223 $35,953,156,754
1998 $893,770,740 $41,696,091,974
1997 $972,896,268 $35,575,214,078
1996 $869,033,856 $36,937,074,278
1995 $1,000,428,394 $37,430,162,103
1994 $925,030,590 $30,072,805,104
1993 $938,632,612 $26,361,160,450
1992 $1,083,037,671 $25,121,666,667
1991 $1,167,398,478 $28,850,634,900
1990 $1,132,101,253 $38,247,882,300
1989 $1,113,924,130 $41,450,777,202
1988 $1,082,403,219 $40,424,528,302
1987 $1,131,466,494 $38,067,567,568
1986 $1,201,725,497 -
1985 $1,149,979,286 -
1984 $987,143,931 -
1983 $1,082,926,304 -
1982 $1,013,222,222 -
1981 $969,046,667 -
1980 $919,726,667 -
1979 $782,496,667 -
1978 $610,225,556 -
1977 $547,535,556 -
1976 $448,412,754 -
1975 $420,986,667 -
1974 $345,263,492 -
1973 $304,339,524 -
1972 $246,804,571 -
1971 $252,842,286 -
1970 $242,732,571 -
1969 $190,205,714 -
1968 $183,200,000 -
1967 $178,297,143 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Romania by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $303 $1,105 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $265 $1,036 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $255.8 $958 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $234.3 $868 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $245.7 $823 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $246.1 $791 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $232.9 $764 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $254.4 $722 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $250.5 $724 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $234.8 $687 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $231.1 $637 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $230.1 $629 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $216.7 $614 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $198.4 $605 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $189.5 $609 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $166.2 $594 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $161.9 $580 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $147.2 $553 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $125.2 $552 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $111.4 $532 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $121 $545 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $134.5 $519 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $127.5 $523 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $144.5 $533 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $160.3 $513 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $143.2 $513 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $164.9 $548 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $161.9 $619 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $165.3 $634 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $184.9 $640 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $204.7 $636 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $202.6 $598 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $203.6 - $1,790 -
1988 $201.7 - $1,753 -
1987 $215.6 - $1,659 -
1986 $234.3 - - -
1985 $228.4 - - -
1984 $200.4 - - -
1983 $225.2 - - -
1982 $216.4 - - -
1981 $212.2 - - -
1980 $209.8 - - -
1979 $186.2 - - -
1978 $148.8 - - -
1977 $137.4 - - -
1976 $115.5 - - -
1975 $110.9 - - -
1974 $93.2 - - -
1973 $84.3 - - -
1972 $68.2 - - -
1971 $69.9 - - -
1970 $68.8 - - -
1969 $55.1 - - -
1968 $54.2 - - -
1967 $54 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Burundi Romania
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
5.43%
2024
Population
14833763
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 37% 51.5%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 26% 53% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 31% 37.1%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 28.5% 38% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 35% 32.6%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 38% 25.7% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 35.3% 13%
2007 39% 129.6% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 33.1% 137% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 21.7% 120% 35% 29.6%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 33.5% 15%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 33.5% 11%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 33.1% -
1993 24% 112% 33.5% -
1992 26.1% 93.5% 41.5% -
1991 19.2% - 38.3% -
1990 17.4% - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 101/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Romania
2024 -4.84% -8.68%
2023 -7.7% -5.61%
2022 -10.7% -5.83%
2021 -4.6% -6.7%
2020 -6.58% -9.54%
2019 -6.4% -4.55%
2018 -6.66% -2.74%
2017 -5.01% -2.86%
2016 -7.11% -2.5%
2015 -7.56% -1.35%
2014 -3.93% -1.76%
2013 -1.9% -2.44%
2012 -3.79% -2.39%
2011 -3.49% -4.14%
2010 -3.64% -6.22%
2009 -5.14% -6.86%
2008 -2.7% -4.6%
2007 -2.51% -3.05%
2006 -9.92% -1.36%
2005 -10.6% -0.69%
2004 -14.9% -3.39%
2003 -13.7% -2.29%
2002 -4.9% -2.59%
2001 -7.78% -3.2%
2000 -5.66% -3.99%
1999 -5.33% -3.58%
1998 -4.43% -5.33%
1997 -4.48% -5.19%
1996 -8.61% -4.74%
1995 -3.72% -3.32%
1994 -1.76% -2.2%
1993 -1.22% -0.35%
1992 -4.16% -4.55%
1991 4.14% 3.23%
1990 8.14% 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Romania
2024 20.2% 5.6%
2023 26.9% 10.4%
2022 18.8% 13.8%
2021 8.4% 5%
2020 7.32% 2.6%
2019 -0.69% 3.8%
2018 -2.81% 4.6%
2017 16.1% 1.3%
2016 5.56% -1.6%
2015 5.54% -0.6%
2014 4.41% 1.1%
2013 7.94% 4%
2012 18.2% 3.3%
2011 9.59% 5.8%
2010 6.49% 6.1%
2009 10.6% 5.6%
2008 24.4% 7.8%
2007 8.41% 4.8%
2006 2.75% 6.6%
2005 13.3% 9%
2004 8.18% 11.9%
2003 10.6% 15.4%
2002 -1.37% 22.5%
2001 9.3% 34.5%
2000 24.4% 45.7%
1999 3.39% 45.8%
1998 12.5% 59.1%
1997 31.1% 154.8%

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/romania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Wood & paper products $9K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Metals $4K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Burundi Romania
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Romania
Economic freedom 40.2 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 64/197
Property rights 27.2 81
Government integrity 15.5 50
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 67
Tax burden 76.1 89.1
Government spending 76.3 56.7
Fiscal health 14.6 21.4
Business freedom 27.2 74.4
Labor freedom 49.9 63.6
Monetary freedom 55.5 72.7
Trade freedom 52.2 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Romania
2026 40.2 65.4
2025 39.7 66.5
2024 38.4 64.4
2023 41.9 64.5
2022 39.4 67.1
2021 49.9 69.5
2020 49 69.7
2019 48.9 68.6
2018 50.9 69.4
2017 53.2 69.7
2016 53.9 65.6
2015 53.7 66.6
2014 51.4 65.5
2013 49 65.1
2012 48.1 64.4
2011 49.6 64.7
2010 47.5 64.2
2009 48.8 63.2
2008 46.2 61.7
2007 46.9 61.2
2006 48.7 58.2
2005 - 52.1
2004 - 50
2003 - 50.6
2002 - 48.7
2001 - 50
2000 42.6 52.1
1999 41.1 50.1
1998 44.7 54.4
1997 45.4 50.8
1996 - 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Romania
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
25%
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/romania | 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 (1962–1999, 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.