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Economy of Burundi vs Seychelles compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $2.17B for the Seychelles, ranking 169/197 and 178/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $1.25B (57.6% of GDP) in the Seychelles.

Burundi vs Seychelles GDP by year

Burundi
Seychelles
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Seychelles
2024 $3,082,433,067 $2,167,239,562
2023 $3,430,949,250 $2,187,379,755
2022 $4,036,192,553 $2,018,346,589
2021 $3,435,598,073 $1,487,173,795
2020 $3,227,847,281 $1,382,551,752
2019 $2,871,555,326 $1,868,690,097
2018 $2,913,411,408 $1,784,313,927
2017 $2,831,362,208 $1,675,370,641
2016 $2,618,093,125 $1,568,513,348
2015 $2,810,532,912 $1,432,403,352
2014 $2,705,826,648 $1,387,577,870
2013 $2,451,624,638 $1,333,160,407
2012 $2,327,402,363 $1,089,407,839
2011 $2,235,812,880 $1,058,918,707
2010 $2,032,135,192 $981,616,542
2009 $1,775,495,032 $850,901,620
2008 $1,611,835,857 $979,597,394
2007 $1,356,199,387 $1,077,308,814
2006 $1,273,375,078 $1,081,441,283
2005 $1,117,113,080 $977,899,382
2004 $915,257,323 $893,012,218
2003 $784,654,424 $750,847,230
2002 $825,394,519 $742,134,838
2001 $876,794,723 $662,064,156
2000 $870,486,066 $654,212,394
1999 $808,077,223 $662,838,615
1998 $893,770,740 $647,287,376
1997 $972,896,268 $598,966,982
1996 $869,033,856 $535,250,347
1995 $1,000,428,394 $540,733,048
1994 $925,030,590 $517,570,058
1993 $938,632,612 $504,230,621
1992 $1,083,037,671 $461,409,399
1991 $1,167,398,478 $398,307,170
1990 $1,132,101,253 $392,163,561
1989 $1,113,924,130 $324,333,367
1988 $1,082,403,219 $301,985,618
1987 $1,131,466,494 $265,212,957
1986 $1,201,725,497 $221,147,061
1985 $1,149,979,286 $179,691,483
1984 $987,143,931 $160,992,921
1983 $1,082,926,304 $156,098,237
1982 $1,013,222,222 $157,211,790
1981 $969,046,667 $163,750,728
1980 $919,726,667 $156,783,830
1979 $782,496,667 $127,261,099
1978 $610,225,556 $85,552,366
1977 $547,535,556 $64,526,401
1976 $448,412,754 $49,278,982
1975 $420,986,667 $47,803,146
1974 $345,263,492 $43,134,496
1973 $304,339,524 $36,896,280
1972 $246,804,571 $30,645,123
1971 $252,842,286 $21,965,951
1970 $242,732,571 $18,432,032
1969 $190,205,714 $16,452,028
1968 $183,200,000 $16,074,028
1967 $178,297,143 $16,632,032
1966 $165,444,571 $16,443,034
1965 $158,994,963 $15,603,032
1964 $260,750,008 $15,393,032
1963 $232,749,998 $13,923,029
1962 $213,500,006 $12,642,026
1961 $202,999,992 $11,592,024
1960 $195,999,990 $12,012,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Seychelles by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Seychelles
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $17,859 $33,239
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $18,263 $31,781
2022 $303 $1,105 $16,837 $29,973
2021 $265 $1,036 $14,983 $29,980
2020 $255.8 $958 $14,041 $31,056
2019 $234.3 $868 $19,142 $34,219
2018 $245.7 $823 $18,440 $32,091
2017 $246.1 $791 $17,480 $30,675
2016 $232.9 $764 $16,567 $28,811
2015 $254.4 $722 $15,333 $25,435
2014 $250.5 $724 $15,188 $24,985
2013 $234.8 $687 $14,821 $22,487
2012 $231.1 $637 $12,337 $22,264
2011 $230.1 $629 $12,110 $21,781
2010 $216.7 $614 $10,935 $18,982
2009 $198.4 $605 $9,747 $18,453
2008 $189.5 $609 $11,265 $18,881
2007 $166.2 $594 $12,669 $19,473
2006 $161.9 $580 $12,783 $17,503
2005 $147.2 $553 $11,802 $15,846
2004 $125.2 $552 $10,828 $14,160
2003 $111.4 $532 $9,070 $14,142
2002 $121 $545 $8,864 $14,570
2001 $132.2 $528 $8,153 $14,615
2000 $134.5 $519 $8,064 $14,638
1999 $127.5 $523 $8,243 $13,853
1998 $144.5 $533 $8,210 $13,675
1997 $160.3 $513 $7,747 $13,458
1996 $143.2 $513 $7,004 $11,931
1995 $164.9 $548 $7,181 $10,809
1994 $161.9 $619 $6,975 $10,692
1993 $165.3 $634 $6,979 $11,020
1992 $184.9 $640 $6,520 $10,243
1991 $204.7 $636 $5,655 $9,387
1990 $202.6 $598 $5,642 $8,955
1989 $203.6 - $4,689 -
1988 $201.7 - $4,392 -
1987 $215.6 - $3,872 -
1986 $234.3 - $3,368 -
1985 $228.4 - $2,754 -
1984 $200.4 - $2,488 -
1983 $225.2 - $2,426 -
1982 $216.4 - $2,441 -
1981 $212.2 - $2,557 -
1980 $209.8 - $2,478 -
1979 $186.2 - $2,030 -
1978 $148.8 - $1,377 -
1977 $137.4 - $1,044 -
1976 $115.5 - $814 -
1975 $110.9 - $806 -
1974 $93.2 - $745 -
1973 $84.3 - $649 -
1972 $68.2 - $547 -
1971 $69.9 - $402 -
1970 $68.8 - $344 -
1969 $55.1 - $314 -
1968 $54.2 - $314 -
1967 $54 - $333 -
1966 $51.4 - $338 -
1965 $50.6 - $328 -
1964 $85.3 - $332 -
1963 $78.4 - $308 -
1962 $73.4 - $287 -
1961 $71.6 - $270.3 -
1960 $70.9 - $288.1 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $17,859 in the Seychelles, ranking 63/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239.

Economic indicators

Burundi Seychelles
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$2.17B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
3.47%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$17,859
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
63/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$33,239
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
67/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$1.25B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
57.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$10,288
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
57/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$10,944
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$811M
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
23.9%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.6%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
0.31%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
2.59%
2024
Population
14833763
126311

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Seychelles
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Seychelles
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 33.8% 57.6%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 32.9% 55.3%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 31.3% 60%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 38.8% 71%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 46.7% 77.4%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 31.7% 48.9%
2018 26% 53% 33% 51.3%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 34.3% 56.7%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 34.5% 62.8%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 31.5% 64.7%
2014 28.5% 38% 33.4% 70.4%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 37.8% 68.2%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 38.6% 80.1%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 36.4% 82.5%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 34.6% 82.2%
2009 38% 25.7% 32.1% 106.1%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 27% 192.1%
2007 39% 129.6% 41.9% 144%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 43.6% 135.1%
2005 33.1% 137% 39% 144.1%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 39.9% 163.2%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 44.6% 177%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 56.3% 195.9%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 46.8% 199.8%
2000 21.7% 120% 55.4% 177.8%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 56.1% 159.8%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 60.7% 161.2%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 54.7% 143%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 59.1% 146.7%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 53.1% 133.5%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 63.6% 123.5%
1993 24% 112% 60.4% 82.2%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 50.7% 79.9%
1991 19.2% - 52.1% 89.2%
1990 17.4% - 46.1% 80.4%
1989 - - 51.7% 39.9%
1988 - - 46.7% 41.3%
1987 - - 49.7% 37%
1986 - - 58% 31.5%
1985 - - 53% 26.5%
1984 - - 50.5% 15.3%
1983 - - 47.9% 12.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while the Seychelles spent $732M, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 57.6% in the Seychelles, ranking 101/185 and 85/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Seychelles
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Seychelles
2024 -4.84% -0.69%
2023 -7.7% -1.14%
2022 -10.7% -0.76%
2021 -4.6% -5.76%
2020 -6.58% -15.7%
2019 -6.4% 0.42%
2018 -6.66% -0.8%
2017 -5.01% -1.67%
2016 -7.11% 0.02%
2015 -7.56% 1.39%
2014 -3.93% 2.87%
2013 -1.9% 0.33%
2012 -3.79% 2.93%
2011 -3.49% 3.36%
2010 -3.64% 0.52%
2009 -5.14% 4.84%
2008 -2.7% 7.88%
2007 -2.51% -9.93%
2006 -9.92% -2.54%
2005 -10.6% 0.42%
2004 -14.9% 0.44%
2003 -13.7% 3.4%
2002 -4.9% -16.3%
2001 -7.78% -8.93%
2000 -5.66% -14.7%
1999 -5.33% -10.3%
1998 -4.43% -16.7%
1997 -4.48% -5.91%
1996 -8.61% -9.69%
1995 -3.72% -2.58%
1994 -1.76% -6.95%
1993 -1.22% -3.62%
1992 -4.16% 6.44%
1991 4.14% 3.15%
1990 8.14% 11.9%
1989 - 8.26%
1988 - 11.8%
1987 - 2.77%
1986 - -10.1%
1985 - -4.86%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -3.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/seychelles | 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 the Seychelles' deficit of $15M, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while the Seychelles ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.41% of GDP for the Seychelles.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Seychelles
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Seychelles
2024 20.2% 0.31%
2023 26.9% -1.04%
2022 18.8% 2.63%
2021 8.4% 9.77%
2020 7.32% 1.2%
2019 -0.69% 1.81%
2018 -2.81% 3.7%
2017 16.1% 2.86%
2016 5.56% -1.02%
2015 5.54% 4.04%
2014 4.41% 1.39%
2013 7.94% 4.34%
2012 18.2% 7.11%
2011 9.59% 2.56%
2010 6.49% -2.4%
2009 10.6% 31.8%
2008 24.4% 37%
2007 8.41% 5.32%
2006 2.75% -0.35%
2005 13.3% 0.91%
2004 8.18% 3.86%
2003 10.6% 3.3%
2002 -1.37% 0.18%
2001 9.3% 5.97%
2000 24.4% 6.27%
1999 3.39% 6.35%
1998 12.5% 2.58%
1997 31.1% 0.62%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 5.03% in the Seychelles. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 0.31% in the Seychelles.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $330K
Seychelles
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Burundi Seychelles
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$176M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
97/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-8.11%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$595M
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$1B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$1.71B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
103.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
85.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Seychelles
Economic freedom 40.2 66.5
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 60/197
Property rights 27.2 82.6
Government integrity 15.5 71.7
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 61.7
Tax burden 76.1 77.3
Government spending 76.3 68
Fiscal health 14.6 92.2
Business freedom 27.2 71.3
Labor freedom 49.9 52
Monetary freedom 55.5 79.8
Trade freedom 52.2 81.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Seychelles
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Seychelles
2026 40.2 66.5
2025 39.7 66.4
2024 38.4 60.4
2023 41.9 59.5
2022 39.4 61.1
2021 49.9 66.3
2020 49 64.3
2019 48.9 61.4
2018 50.9 61.6
2017 53.2 61.8
2016 53.9 62.2
2015 53.7 57.5
2014 51.4 56.2
2013 49 54.9
2012 48.1 53
2011 49.6 51.2
2010 47.5 47.9
2009 48.8 47.8
2008 46.2 -
2007 46.9 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 42.6 -
1999 41.1 -
1998 44.7 -
1997 45.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 66.5 for the Seychelles, ranking 60/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Seychelles
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
65.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
12.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
2.45%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$2.12B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$32,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$774M
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
145/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$262M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$226M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
-$35.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
25.3%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
17.2%
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/seychelles | 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 (1997–2026, 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 (1983–1999, 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.