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Economy of Burundi vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Burundi has a GDP of $3.36B compared to $16.4B for Rwanda, ranking 169/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.39B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (64.6% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Burundi vs Rwanda GDP by year

Burundi
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Rwanda
2025 $3,364,713,864 $16,372,132,990
2024 $3,037,579,858 $15,111,064,182
2023 $3,419,558,408 $14,806,501,437
2022 $4,020,736,757 $13,747,404,814
2021 $3,425,127,991 $11,252,894,910
2020 $3,188,355,944 $10,487,146,253
2019 $2,871,555,326 $10,519,272,170
2018 $2,913,411,408 $9,650,161,136
2017 $2,831,362,208 $9,164,345,443
2016 $2,618,093,125 $8,596,812,241
2015 $2,810,532,912 $8,447,064,079
2014 $2,705,826,648 $8,129,984,484
2013 $2,451,624,638 $7,714,276,920
2012 $2,327,402,363 $7,556,673,276
2011 $2,235,812,880 $6,802,676,034
2010 $2,032,135,192 $6,052,276,078
2009 $1,775,495,032 $5,603,399,015
2008 $1,611,835,857 $5,120,655,375
2007 $1,356,199,387 $4,017,977,507
2006 $1,273,375,078 $3,274,207,945
2005 $1,117,113,080 $2,933,819,766
2004 $915,257,323 $2,376,496,067
2003 $784,654,424 $2,138,237,279
2002 $825,394,519 $1,966,003,468
2001 $876,794,723 $1,966,600,715
2000 $870,486,066 $2,068,836,754
1999 $808,077,223 $2,157,108,263
1998 $893,770,740 $1,989,343,546
1997 $972,896,268 $1,851,558,197
1996 $869,033,856 $1,382,334,879
1995 $1,000,428,394 $1,293,535,193
1994 $925,030,590 $753,636,370
1993 $938,632,612 $1,971,525,712
1992 $1,083,037,671 $2,029,026,962
1991 $1,167,398,478 $1,911,600,237
1990 $1,132,101,253 $2,550,185,679
1989 $1,113,924,130 $2,405,022,593
1988 $1,082,403,219 $2,395,492,687
1987 $1,131,466,494 $2,157,432,668
1986 $1,201,725,497 $1,944,710,684
1985 $1,149,979,286 $1,715,626,331
1984 $987,143,931 $1,587,413,084
1983 $1,082,926,304 $1,479,687,587
1982 $1,013,222,222 $1,407,243,139
1981 $969,046,667 $1,407,062,527
1980 $919,726,667 $1,254,765,642
1979 $782,496,667 $1,109,346,131
1978 $610,225,556 $905,709,076
1977 $547,535,556 $746,650,613
1976 $448,412,754 $637,753,853
1975 $420,986,667 $571,863,500
1974 $345,263,492 $308,458,423
1973 $304,339,524 $290,746,157
1972 $246,804,571 $246,457,838
1971 $252,842,286 $222,952,504
1970 $242,732,571 $219,900,006
1969 $190,205,714 $188,700,037
1968 $183,200,000 $172,200,018
1967 $178,297,143 $159,560,018
1966 $165,444,571 $124,525,703
1965 $158,994,963 $148,799,980
1964 $260,750,008 $129,999,994
1963 $232,749,998 $128,000,000
1962 $213,500,006 $125,000,008
1961 $202,999,992 $122,000,016
1960 $195,999,990 $119,000,024

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Rwanda by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $233.8 - $1,124 -
2024 $216.2 $1,195 $1,060 $3,711
2023 $249.8 $1,150 $1,061 $3,399
2022 $302 $1,105 $1,007 $3,099
2021 $264.2 $1,036 $843 $2,733
2020 $252.7 $958 $803 $2,285
2019 $234.3 $868 $823 $2,336
2018 $245.7 $823 $773 $2,125
2017 $246.1 $791 $751 $1,968
2016 $232.9 $764 $721 $1,866
2015 $254.4 $722 $726 $1,781
2014 $250.5 $724 $715 $1,678
2013 $234.8 $687 $695 $1,512
2012 $231.1 $637 $698 $1,455
2011 $230.1 $629 $643 $1,413
2010 $216.7 $614 $587 $1,314
2009 $198.4 $605 $557 $1,241
2008 $189.5 $609 $522 $1,191
2007 $166.2 $594 $421 $1,079
2006 $161.9 $580 $352 $1,002
2005 $147.2 $553 $324 $914
2004 $125.2 $552 $269.5 $832
2003 $111.4 $532 $249 $775
2002 $121 $545 $234 $760
2001 $132.2 $528 $237.3 $670
2000 $134.5 $519 $251.9 $609
1999 $127.5 $523 $264.7 $554
1998 $144.5 $533 $246.2 $528
1997 $160.3 $513 $238.7 $500
1996 $143.2 $513 $206 $499
1995 $164.9 $548 $228 $514
1994 $161.9 $619 $111 $311
1993 $165.3 $634 $247 $521
1992 $184.9 $640 $264.1 $575
1991 $204.7 $636 $254 $542
1990 $202.6 $598 $346 $549
1989 $203.6 - $335 -
1988 $201.7 - $344 -
1987 $215.6 - $320 -
1986 $234.3 - $297.7 -
1985 $228.4 - $271.6 -
1984 $200.4 - $259.9 -
1983 $225.2 - $250.6 -
1982 $216.4 - $246.4 -
1981 $212.2 - $254.6 -
1980 $209.8 - $234.4 -
1979 $186.2 - $213.8 -
1978 $148.8 - $179.9 -
1977 $137.4 - $152.7 -
1976 $115.5 - $134.4 -
1975 $110.9 - $124.1 -
1974 $93.2 - $68.9 -
1973 $84.3 - $66.9 -
1972 $68.2 - $58.4 -
1971 $69.9 - $54.4 -
1970 $68.8 - $55.2 -
1969 $55.1 - $48.9 -
1968 $54.2 - $46 -
1967 $54 - $44 -
1966 $51.4 - $35.4 -
1965 $50.6 - $43.5 -
1964 $85.3 - $39 -
1963 $78.4 - $39.3 -
1962 $73.4 - $39.2 -
1961 $71.6 - $39.3 -
1960 $70.9 - $39.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $233.8, ranking 197/197, compared to $1,124 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Burundi Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$3.36B
2025
$16.4B
2025
GDP rank
169/197
2025
142/197
2025
GDP growth
4.24%
2024-2025
9.38%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$233.8
2025
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2025
178/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$1.39B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2025
64.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$96.3
2025
$726
2025
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2025
155/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,052
2026
$1,614
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2025
24.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
34.1%
2024-2025
5.91%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
5.36%
2025
Population
14909238
15062056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.4% 41.2% 24.1% 64.6%
2024 22.3% 53.1% 27.1% 63.4%
2023 28.4% 59.9% 26.2% 61.4%
2022 33.5% 69.8% 28.7% 59%
2021 28.4% 63.6% 31% 66.2%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 32.5% 66.7%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 27.7% 52.8%
2018 26% 53% 26.3% 49.2%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 25.3% 46.1%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 25.4% 41.5%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 26.9% 33.5%
2014 28.5% 38% 27.8% 29.5%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 26.5% 27%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 24.9% 19.3%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 25% 18.9%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 24.1% 19%
2009 38% 25.7% 22.6% 18.7%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 22.7% 18.5%
2007 39% 129.6% 22.7% 22.4%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 20.9% 22.8%
2005 33.1% 137% 20.2% 59.8%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 18.1% 82.1%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 18.8% 80.7%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 20.7% 93.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 19.3% 85.2%
2000 21.7% 120% 18.5% 87.2%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 22.7% 79.5%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 16.6% 71.1%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 17.2% 73.3%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 19.8% 84.6%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 18.3% 102.2%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 13.5% -
1993 24% 112% 20.6% -
1992 26.1% 93.5% 21.8% -
1991 19.2% - - -
1990 17.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government spending was $686M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $3.95B, or 24.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Burundi and 64.6% in Rwanda, ranking 129/185 and 68/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Rwanda
2025 -2.98% -4.49%
2024 -4.83% -6.19%
2023 -7.7% -4.88%
2022 -10.7% -5.56%
2021 -4.6% -6.89%
2020 -6.58% -9.26%
2019 -6.4% -5%
2018 -6.66% -2.57%
2017 -5.01% -2.54%
2016 -7.11% -2.3%
2015 -7.56% -2.71%
2014 -3.93% -3.97%
2013 -1.9% -1.29%
2012 -3.79% -2.41%
2011 -3.49% -0.87%
2010 -3.64% -0.65%
2009 -5.14% 0.26%
2008 -2.7% 0.84%
2007 -2.51% -1.58%
2006 -9.92% -0.03%
2005 -10.6% 1.14%
2004 -14.9% 2.31%
2003 -13.7% -1.25%
2002 -4.9% -2.06%
2001 -7.78% -1.83%
2000 -5.66% -0.22%
1999 -5.33% -4.48%
1998 -4.43% -2.63%
1997 -4.48% -2.25%
1996 -8.61% -5.08%
1995 -3.72% -2.07%
1994 -1.76% -9.68%
1993 -1.22% -6.7%
1992 -4.16% -7.31%
1991 4.14% -
1990 8.14% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $100M, equivalent to 2.98% of GDP. This compares to Rwanda's deficit of $736M, or 4.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.83% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Rwanda
2025 34.1% 5.91%
2024 20.2% 1.77%
2023 26.9% 19.8%
2022 18.8% 17.7%
2021 8.4% -0.39%
2020 7.32% 9.85%
2019 -0.69% 3.35%
2018 -2.81% -0.31%
2017 16.1% 8.28%
2016 5.56% 7.17%
2015 5.54% 2.53%
2014 4.41% 2.35%
2013 7.94% 5.92%
2012 18.2% 10.3%
2011 9.59% 3.08%
2010 6.49% -0.25%
2009 10.6% 12.9%
2008 24.4% 15.4%
2007 8.41% 9.08%
2006 2.75% 8.88%
2005 13.3% 9.01%
2004 8.18% 12.3%
2003 10.6% 7.45%
2002 -1.37% 1.99%
2001 9.3% 3.34%
2000 24.4% 3.9%
1999 3.39% -2.41%
1998 12.5% 6.21%
1997 31.1% 12%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 6.8% in Rwanda. In 2025, inflation was 34.1% in Burundi and 5.91% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.31M
Raw materials & minerals $271K
Chemicals & pharma $157K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $144K
Machinery & equipment $88K
Metals $32K
Precious metals & jewellery $21K
Miscellaneous $12K
Raw agricultural goods $8K
Weapons & explosives $3K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.8M
Machinery & equipment $4.94M
Miscellaneous $1.79M
Metals $1.74M
Chemicals & pharma $1.01M
Wood & paper products $864K
Textiles & consumer goods $680K
Raw agricultural goods $427K
Raw materials & minerals $388K
Animal & marine products $240K

Balance of trade

Burundi Rwanda
Current account balance
-$461M
2025
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2025
136/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.7%
2025
-12%
2024
Goods imports
$1.1B
2025
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$407M
2025
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$406M
2025
$991M
2024
Service exports
$148M
2025
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
35.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
21.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Rwanda
Economic freedom 40.2 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 121/197
Property rights 27.2 60.3
Government integrity 15.5 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 27.5
Tax burden 76.1 80.6
Government spending 76.3 75.7
Fiscal health 14.6 37.5
Business freedom 27.2 60.1
Labor freedom 49.9 49.1
Monetary freedom 55.5 72.3
Trade freedom 52.2 61.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Rwanda
2026 40.2 56.5
2025 39.7 54.8
2024 38.4 51.6
2023 41.9 52.2
2022 39.4 57.1
2021 49.9 68.3
2020 49 70.9
2019 48.9 71.1
2018 50.9 69.1
2017 53.2 67.6
2016 53.9 63.1
2015 53.7 64.8
2014 51.4 64.7
2013 49 64.1
2012 48.1 64.9
2011 49.6 62.7
2010 47.5 59.1
2009 48.8 54.2
2008 46.2 54.2
2007 46.9 52.4
2006 48.7 52.8
2005 - 51.7
2004 - 53.3
2003 - 47.8
2002 - 50.4
2001 - 45.4
2000 42.6 42.3
1999 41.1 39.8
1998 44.7 39.1
1997 45.4 38.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2025
20.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.46B
2025
$16.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,250
2025
$4,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$1.96B
2025
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
128/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$31.2M
2025
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.18%
2024
2.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
34.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.