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Economy of Burundi vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 169/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Burundi vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Burundi
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Sierra Leone
2024 $3,082,433,067 $6,971,127,235
2023 $3,430,949,250 $6,415,852,767
2022 $4,036,192,553 $7,121,125,278
2021 $3,435,598,073 $7,166,931,485
2020 $3,227,847,281 $6,688,307,703
2019 $2,871,555,326 $6,523,577,594
2018 $2,913,411,408 $6,390,514,689
2017 $2,831,362,208 $5,749,846,528
2016 $2,618,093,125 $6,084,297,211
2015 $2,810,532,912 $6,788,352,975
2014 $2,705,826,648 $7,686,138,791
2013 $2,451,624,638 $7,502,762,863
2012 $2,327,402,363 $6,141,666,509
2011 $2,235,812,880 $4,861,632,885
2010 $2,032,135,192 $4,262,805,967
2009 $1,775,495,032 $3,953,403,098
2008 $1,611,835,857 $4,157,895,298
2007 $1,356,199,387 $3,632,957,611
2006 $1,273,375,078 $3,263,697,467
2005 $1,117,113,080 $2,545,275,313
2004 $915,257,323 $2,237,350,687
2003 $784,654,424 $2,142,618,046
2002 $825,394,519 $1,933,863,911
2001 $876,794,723 $1,681,473,894
2000 $870,486,066 $635,866,404
1999 $808,077,223 $669,386,624
1998 $893,770,740 $672,368,187
1997 $972,896,268 $850,232,760
1996 $869,033,856 $941,709,423
1995 $1,000,428,394 $870,740,292
1994 $925,030,590 $911,853,802
1993 $938,632,612 $768,867,883
1992 $1,083,037,671 $679,940,814
1991 $1,167,398,478 $779,981,987
1990 $1,132,101,253 $649,644,098
1989 $1,113,924,130 $932,974,420
1988 $1,082,403,219 $1,055,083,933
1987 $1,131,466,494 $660,106,336
1986 $1,201,725,497 $490,181,457
1985 $1,149,979,286 $856,890,459
1984 $987,143,931 $1,087,471,862
1983 $1,082,926,304 $995,104,305
1982 $1,013,222,222 $1,295,361,886
1981 $969,046,667 $1,114,830,472
1980 $919,726,667 $1,100,685,845
1979 $782,496,667 $1,109,374,911
1978 $610,225,556 $960,728,339
1977 $547,535,556 $691,777,584
1976 $448,412,754 $594,895,942
1975 $420,986,667 $679,336,344
1974 $345,263,492 $648,590,643
1973 $304,339,524 $575,230,724
1972 $246,804,571 $465,381,340
1971 $252,842,286 $419,549,305
1970 $242,732,571 $434,410,974
1969 $190,205,714 $408,690,163
1968 $183,200,000 $329,859,732
1967 $178,297,143 $348,795,303
1966 $165,444,571 $375,479,850
1965 $158,994,963 $359,379,856
1964 $260,750,008 $371,847,461
1963 $232,749,998 $348,547,279
1962 $213,500,006 $342,721,416
1961 $202,999,992 $327,834,191
1960 $195,999,990 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Sierra Leone by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $807 $3,522
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $758 $3,368
2022 $303 $1,105 $860 $3,144
2021 $265 $1,036 $885 $2,849
2020 $255.8 $958 $845 $2,719
2019 $234.3 $868 $844 $2,704
2018 $245.7 $823 $846 $2,640
2017 $246.1 $791 $779 $2,501
2016 $232.9 $764 $844 $2,635
2015 $254.4 $722 $965 $2,560
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $234.8 $687 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $231.1 $637 $938 $2,317
2011 $230.1 $629 $761 $2,043
2010 $216.7 $614 $685 $1,900
2009 $198.4 $605 $653 $1,814
2008 $189.5 $609 $705 $1,824
2007 $166.2 $594 $632 $1,770
2006 $161.9 $580 $580 $1,698
2005 $147.2 $553 $463 $1,615
2004 $125.2 $552 $418 $1,541
2003 $111.4 $532 $414 $1,458
2002 $121 $545 $389 $1,360
2001 $132.2 $528 $358 $1,121
2000 $134.5 $519 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $127.5 $523 $155 $1,167
1998 $144.5 $533 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $160.3 $513 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $143.2 $513 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $164.9 $548 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $161.9 $619 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $165.3 $634 $185 $1,269
1992 $184.9 $640 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $204.7 $636 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $202.6 $598 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $203.6 - $231.3 -
1988 $201.7 - $268.2 -
1987 $215.6 - $172.4 -
1986 $234.3 - $131.5 -
1985 $228.4 - $235.5 -
1984 $200.4 - $306 -
1983 $225.2 - $285.8 -
1982 $216.4 - $380 -
1981 $212.2 - $334 -
1980 $209.8 - $336 -
1979 $186.2 - $346 -
1978 $148.8 - $305 -
1977 $137.4 - $224.2 -
1976 $115.5 - $196.4 -
1975 $110.9 - $228.4 -
1974 $93.2 - $222.1 -
1973 $84.3 - $200.6 -
1972 $68.2 - $165.4 -
1971 $69.9 - $151.8 -
1970 $68.8 - $160.2 -
1969 $55.1 - $153.6 -
1968 $54.2 - $126.3 -
1967 $54 - $136.1 -
1966 $51.4 - $149.3 -
1965 $50.6 - $145.6 -
1964 $85.3 - $153.4 -
1963 $78.4 - $146.3 -
1962 $73.4 - $146.3 -
1961 $71.6 - $142.3 -
1960 $70.9 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sierra-leone | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Burundi Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
3.19%
2018
Population
14833763
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 16.7% 54%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 26% 53% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 15% 44.2%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 28.5% 38% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 38% 25.7% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 39% 129.6% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 33.1% 137% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 12% 113.5%
2000 21.7% 120% 10.3% -
1999 20.5% 140.6% - -
1998 19.9% 138.9% - -
1997 18.8% 122.8% - -
1996 24.4% 139.4% - -
1995 22.1% 117.1% - -
1994 19.4% 119.6% - -
1993 24% 112% - -
1992 26.1% 93.5% - -
1991 19.2% - - -
1990 17.4% - - -

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/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 101/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Sierra Leone
2024 -4.84% -4.53%
2023 -7.7% -4.99%
2022 -10.7% -5.93%
2021 -4.6% -4.35%
2020 -6.58% -3.5%
2019 -6.4% -1.95%
2018 -6.66% -3.57%
2017 -5.01% -5.61%
2016 -7.11% -5.41%
2015 -7.56% -2.86%
2014 -3.93% -2.77%
2013 -1.9% -1.74%
2012 -3.79% -3.41%
2011 -3.49% -2.78%
2010 -3.64% -3.09%
2009 -5.14% -1.51%
2008 -2.7% -2.22%
2007 -2.51% 12.6%
2006 -9.92% -0.93%
2005 -10.6% -1.17%
2004 -14.9% -1.46%
2003 -13.7% -2.78%
2002 -4.9% -3.03%
2001 -7.78% -3.22%
2000 -5.66% -1.94%
1999 -5.33% -
1998 -4.43% -
1997 -4.48% -
1996 -8.61% -
1995 -3.72% -
1994 -1.76% -
1993 -1.22% -
1992 -4.16% -
1991 4.14% -
1990 8.14% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Sierra Leone
2024 20.2% 28.4%
2023 26.9% 47.7%
2022 18.8% 27.2%
2021 8.4% 11.9%
2020 7.32% 13.4%
2019 -0.69% 14.8%
2018 -2.81% 16%
2017 16.1% 18.2%
2016 5.56% 10.9%
2015 5.54% 6.7%
2014 4.41% 4.6%
2013 7.94% 5.5%
2012 18.2% 6.6%
2011 9.59% 6.8%
2010 6.49% 7.2%
2009 10.6% 7.5%
2008 24.4% 8.2%
2007 8.41% 17%
2006 2.75% 10.5%
2005 13.3% 13.7%
2004 8.18% 12.9%
2003 10.6% 4%
2002 -1.37% 0.1%
2001 9.3% 2.6%
2000 24.4% -0.9%
1999 3.39% 34.1%
1998 12.5% 36%
1997 31.1% 14.6%

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/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Balance of trade

Burundi Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$361M
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$121M
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 40.2 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 165/197
Property rights 27.2 32.9
Government integrity 15.5 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 42
Tax burden 76.1 88.2
Government spending 76.3 92.4
Fiscal health 14.6 54.1
Business freedom 27.2 44.8
Labor freedom 49.9 38.2
Monetary freedom 55.5 53.6
Trade freedom 52.2 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Sierra Leone
2026 40.2 49.6
2025 39.7 48
2024 38.4 44.6
2023 41.9 50.2
2022 39.4 52
2021 49.9 51.7
2020 49 48
2019 48.9 47.5
2018 50.9 51.8
2017 53.2 52.6
2016 53.9 52.3
2015 53.7 51.7
2014 51.4 50.5
2013 49 48.3
2012 48.1 49.1
2011 49.6 49.6
2010 47.5 47.9
2009 48.8 47.8
2008 46.2 48.3
2007 46.9 47
2006 48.7 45.2
2005 - 44.8
2004 - 43.6
2003 - 42.2
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 42.6 44.2
1999 41.1 47.2
1998 44.7 47.7
1997 45.4 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (1995–2026, 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)

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.