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Economy of Burundi vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 169/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Burundi vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Burundi
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Saudi Arabia
2024 $3,082,433,067 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $3,430,949,250 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $4,036,192,553 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $3,435,598,073 $982,661,066,667
2020 $3,227,847,281 $767,951,200,000
2019 $2,871,555,326 $888,890,133,333
2018 $2,913,411,408 $886,564,800,000
2017 $2,831,362,208 $741,266,133,333
2016 $2,618,093,125 $689,279,466,667
2015 $2,810,532,912 $693,414,400,000
2014 $2,705,826,648 $787,153,066,667
2013 $2,451,624,638 $769,755,733,333
2012 $2,327,402,363 $751,921,333,333
2011 $2,235,812,880 $680,660,800,000
2010 $2,032,135,192 $528,207,466,667
2009 $1,775,495,032 $429,097,866,667
2008 $1,611,835,857 $519,796,800,000
2007 $1,356,199,387 $415,964,509,673
2006 $1,273,375,078 $376,900,133,511
2005 $1,117,113,080 $328,459,608,764
2004 $915,257,323 $258,742,133,333
2003 $784,654,424 $215,807,733,333
2002 $825,394,519 $189,605,866,667
2001 $876,794,723 $184,137,600,000
2000 $870,486,066 $189,514,933,333
1999 $808,077,223 $161,717,066,667
1998 $893,770,740 $146,775,466,667
1997 $972,896,268 $165,963,684,913
1996 $869,033,856 $158,662,483,311
1995 $1,000,428,394 $143,343,124,166
1994 $925,030,590 $135,174,899,866
1993 $938,632,612 $132,967,957,276
1992 $1,083,037,671 $137,087,850,467
1991 $1,167,398,478 $132,223,230,975
1990 $1,132,101,253 $117,630,173,565
1989 $1,113,924,130 $95,344,459,279
1988 $1,082,403,219 $88,256,074,766
1987 $1,131,466,494 $85,695,861,148
1986 $1,201,725,497 $86,961,922,765
1985 $1,149,979,286 $103,897,846,494
1984 $987,143,931 $119,624,858,116
1983 $1,082,926,304 $129,171,635,311
1982 $1,013,222,222 $153,240,313,858
1981 $969,046,667 $184,291,360,139
1980 $919,726,667 $164,539,660,725
1979 $782,496,667 $111,858,444,786
1978 $610,225,556 $80,266,516,687
1977 $547,535,556 $74,188,986,586
1976 $448,412,754 $64,005,665,722
1975 $420,986,667 $46,773,208,643
1974 $345,263,492 $45,412,957,746
1973 $304,339,524 $14,947,435,499
1972 $246,804,571 $9,664,267,087
1971 $252,842,286 $7,184,806,909
1970 $242,732,571 $5,377,333,333
1969 $190,205,714 $4,485,777,644
1968 $183,200,000 $4,187,777,711
1967 $178,297,143 $3,257,022,223
1966 $165,444,571 $2,920,555,557
1965 $158,994,963 $2,647,955,558
1964 $260,750,008 $2,371,808,713
1963 $232,749,998 $2,207,393,172
1962 $213,500,006 $2,130,606,532
1961 $202,999,992 $1,920,811,284
1960 $195,999,990 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Saudi Arabia by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $303 $1,105 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $265 $1,036 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $255.8 $958 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $234.3 $868 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $245.7 $823 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $246.1 $791 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $232.9 $764 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $254.4 $722 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $250.5 $724 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $234.8 $687 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $231.1 $637 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $230.1 $629 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $216.7 $614 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $198.4 $605 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $189.5 $609 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $166.2 $594 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $161.9 $580 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $147.2 $553 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $125.2 $552 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $111.4 $532 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $121 $545 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $132.2 $528 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $134.5 $519 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $127.5 $523 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $144.5 $533 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $160.3 $513 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $143.2 $513 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $164.9 $548 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $161.9 $619 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $165.3 $634 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $184.9 $640 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $204.7 $636 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $202.6 $598 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $203.6 - $9,414 -
1988 $201.7 - $9,165 -
1987 $215.6 - $9,386 -
1986 $234.3 - $10,078 -
1985 $228.4 - $12,745 -
1984 $200.4 - $15,541 -
1983 $225.2 - $17,810 -
1982 $216.4 - $22,454 -
1981 $212.2 - $28,703 -
1980 $209.8 - $27,206 -
1979 $186.2 - $19,612 -
1978 $148.8 - $14,914 -
1977 $137.4 - $14,595 -
1976 $115.5 - $13,313 -
1975 $110.9 - $10,266 -
1974 $93.2 - $10,503 -
1973 $84.3 - $3,640 -
1972 $68.2 - $2,474 -
1971 $69.9 - $1,929 -
1970 $68.8 - $1,509 -
1969 $55.1 - $1,313 -
1968 $54.2 - $1,276 -
1967 $54 - $1,032 -
1966 $51.4 - $961 -
1965 $50.6 - $904 -
1964 $85.3 - $840 -
1963 $78.4 - $812 -
1962 $73.4 - $813 -
1961 $71.6 - $760 -
1960 $70.9 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Burundi Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
3.52%
2024
Population
14833763
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 28.3% 23%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 26% 53% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 28.5% 38% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 33% 8.43%
2009 38% 25.7% 37.1% 14%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 39% 129.6% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 33.1% 137% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 21.7% 120% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 30.3% 103%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 24% 112% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 19.2% - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 17.4% - 39.3% -

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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 101/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Saudi Arabia
2024 -4.84% -2.49%
2023 -7.7% -1.77%
2022 -10.7% 2.24%
2021 -4.6% -1.99%
2020 -6.58% -10.2%
2019 -6.4% -3.96%
2018 -6.66% -5.21%
2017 -5.01% -8.57%
2016 -7.11% -13.2%
2015 -7.56% -14.9%
2014 -3.93% -3.4%
2013 -1.9% 5.47%
2012 -3.79% 11.7%
2011 -3.49% 11.4%
2010 -3.64% 4.39%
2009 -5.14% -5.38%
2008 -2.7% 29.8%
2007 -2.51% 11.8%
2006 -9.92% 20.8%
2005 -10.6% 18%
2004 -14.9% 9.72%
2003 -13.7% 1.2%
2002 -4.9% -5.91%
2001 -7.78% -3.91%
2000 -5.66% 3.18%
1999 -5.33% -5.99%
1998 -4.43% -8.88%
1997 -4.48% -2.51%
1996 -8.61% -3.25%
1995 -3.72% -5.12%
1994 -1.76% -8.31%
1993 -1.22% -9.33%
1992 -4.16% -8.12%
1991 4.14% -3.28%
1990 8.14% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Saudi Arabia
2024 20.2% 1.69%
2023 26.9% 2.33%
2022 18.8% 2.47%
2021 8.4% 3.06%
2020 7.32% 3.37%
2019 -0.69% -1.19%
2018 -2.81% 2.47%
2017 16.1% -0.83%
2016 5.56% 2.05%
2015 5.54% 1.22%
2014 4.41% 2.24%
2013 7.94% 3.51%
2012 18.2% 2.87%
2011 9.59% 5.83%
2010 6.49% 5.34%
2009 10.6% 5.06%
2008 24.4% 9.87%
2007 8.41% 4.17%
2006 2.75% 2.21%
2005 13.3% 0.48%
2004 8.18% 0.52%
2003 10.6% 0.61%
2002 -1.37% 0.25%
2001 9.3% -1.12%
2000 24.4% -1.12%
1999 3.39% -1.33%
1998 12.5% -0.37%
1997 31.1% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $94K
Raw materials & minerals $59K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $559K
Raw agricultural goods $71K
Machinery & equipment $67K
Miscellaneous $35K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Burundi Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 40.2 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 65/197
Property rights 27.2 51.4
Government integrity 15.5 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 38.2
Tax burden 76.1 99.2
Government spending 76.3 77
Fiscal health 14.6 97.9
Business freedom 27.2 71.2
Labor freedom 49.9 41.8
Monetary freedom 55.5 81.2
Trade freedom 52.2 73.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Saudi Arabia
2026 40.2 65.4
2025 39.7 64.4
2024 38.4 61.9
2023 41.9 58.3
2022 39.4 55.5
2021 49.9 66
2020 49 62.4
2019 48.9 60.7
2018 50.9 59.6
2017 53.2 64.4
2016 53.9 62.1
2015 53.7 62.1
2014 51.4 62.2
2013 49 60.6
2012 48.1 62.5
2011 49.6 66.2
2010 47.5 64.1
2009 48.8 64.3
2008 46.2 62.5
2007 46.9 60.9
2006 48.7 63
2005 - 63
2004 - 60.4
2003 - 63.2
2002 - 65.3
2001 - 62.2
2000 42.6 66.5
1999 41.1 65.5
1998 44.7 69.3
1997 45.4 68.7
1996 - 68.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$27.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
30.2%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.