Skip to content

Economy of Burundi vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 169/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Burundi vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Burundi
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Sri Lanka
2024 $3,082,433,067 $98,963,185,510
2023 $3,430,949,250 $83,716,142,582
2022 $4,036,192,553 $74,143,020,263
2021 $3,435,598,073 $88,556,698,938
2020 $3,227,847,281 $84,335,574,582
2019 $2,871,555,326 $88,998,706,297
2018 $2,913,411,408 $94,450,015,983
2017 $2,831,362,208 $94,369,350,286
2016 $2,618,093,125 $88,000,211,172
2015 $2,810,532,912 $85,090,301,052
2014 $2,705,826,648 $82,531,125,191
2013 $2,451,624,638 $76,976,203,829
2012 $2,327,402,363 $70,447,217,164
2011 $2,235,812,880 $67,753,285,897
2010 $2,032,135,192 $58,636,049,434
2009 $1,775,495,032 $42,066,224,093
2008 $1,611,835,857 $40,713,826,215
2007 $1,356,199,387 $32,350,238,760
2006 $1,273,375,078 $28,267,410,543
2005 $1,117,113,080 $24,405,791,045
2004 $915,257,323 $20,662,525,941
2003 $784,654,424 $18,881,765,437
2002 $825,394,519 $16,536,535,647
2001 $876,794,723 $15,749,753,805
2000 $870,486,066 $16,595,882,819
1999 $808,077,223 $15,711,933,513
1998 $893,770,740 $15,760,736,956
1997 $972,896,268 $15,091,913,884
1996 $869,033,856 $13,897,738,375
1995 $1,000,428,394 $13,029,697,561
1994 $925,030,590 $11,717,604,209
1993 $938,632,612 $10,338,679,636
1992 $1,083,037,671 $9,703,011,636
1991 $1,167,398,478 $9,000,362,582
1990 $1,132,101,253 $8,032,551,173
1989 $1,113,924,130 $6,987,267,684
1988 $1,082,403,219 $6,978,371,581
1987 $1,131,466,494 $6,682,167,120
1986 $1,201,725,497 $6,405,210,564
1985 $1,149,979,286 $5,978,460,972
1984 $987,143,931 $6,043,474,843
1983 $1,082,926,304 $5,167,913,302
1982 $1,013,222,222 $4,768,765,017
1981 $969,046,667 $4,415,844,156
1980 $919,726,667 $4,024,621,900
1979 $782,496,667 $3,364,611,432
1978 $610,225,556 $2,733,183,857
1977 $547,535,556 $4,104,509,583
1976 $448,412,754 $3,591,319,857
1975 $420,986,667 $3,791,298,146
1974 $345,263,492 $3,574,586,466
1973 $304,339,524 $2,875,625,000
1972 $246,804,571 $2,553,936,348
1971 $252,842,286 $2,369,308,600
1970 $242,732,571 $2,296,470,588
1969 $190,205,714 $1,965,546,218
1968 $183,200,000 $1,801,344,538
1967 $178,297,143 $1,859,465,021
1966 $165,444,571 $1,751,470,588
1965 $158,994,963 $1,698,319,328
1964 $260,750,008 $1,309,747,899
1963 $232,749,998 $1,240,672,269
1962 $213,500,006 $1,434,156,379
1961 $202,999,992 $1,444,327,731
1960 $195,999,990 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Sri Lanka by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $303 $1,105 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $265 $1,036 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $255.8 $958 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $234.3 $868 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $245.7 $823 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $246.1 $791 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $232.9 $764 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $254.4 $722 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $250.5 $724 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $234.8 $687 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $231.1 $637 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $230.1 $629 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $216.7 $614 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $198.4 $605 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $189.5 $609 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $161.9 $580 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $147.2 $553 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $125.2 $552 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $111.4 $532 $946 $4,850
2002 $121 $545 $835 $4,522
2001 $132.2 $528 $804 $4,328
2000 $134.5 $519 $860 $4,368
1999 $127.5 $523 $829 $4,103
1998 $144.5 $533 $848 $3,952
1997 $160.3 $513 $827 $3,804
1996 $143.2 $513 $776 $3,582
1995 $164.9 $548 $742 $3,454
1994 $161.9 $619 $678 $3,260
1993 $165.3 $634 $607 $3,067
1992 $184.9 $640 $580 $2,851
1991 $204.7 $636 $546 $2,713
1990 $202.6 $598 $491 $2,527
1989 $203.6 - $430 -
1988 $201.7 - $434 -
1987 $215.6 - $420 -
1986 $234.3 - $407 -
1985 $228.4 - $385 -
1984 $200.4 - $391 -
1983 $225.2 - $336 -
1982 $216.4 - $312 -
1981 $212.2 - $292.5 -
1980 $209.8 - $271.1 -
1979 $186.2 - $230.8 -
1978 $148.8 - $191 -
1977 $137.4 - $292.1 -
1976 $115.5 - $260.3 -
1975 $110.9 - $279.8 -
1974 $93.2 - $268.7 -
1973 $84.3 - $220.2 -
1972 $68.2 - $199.4 -
1971 $69.9 - $188.8 -
1970 $68.8 - $186.9 -
1969 $55.1 - $163.6 -
1968 $54.2 - $153.5 -
1967 $54 - $162.3 -
1966 $51.4 - $156.6 -
1965 $50.6 - $155.6 -
1964 $85.3 - $122.9 -
1963 $78.4 - $119.4 -
1962 $73.4 - $141.4 -
1961 $71.6 - $145.9 -
1960 $70.9 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sri-lanka | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Burundi Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
4.67%
2023
Population
14833763
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 20% 102.7%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 26% 53% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 18.2% 75%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 28.5% 38% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 38% 25.7% 21% 72.8%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 39% 129.6% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 33.1% 137% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 21.7% 120% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 24% 112% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 23% 77.9%
1991 19.2% - 26.4% 80.5%
1990 17.4% - 25.4% 78.9%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 101/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Sri Lanka
2024 -4.84% -5.64%
2023 -7.7% -8.32%
2022 -10.7% -10.2%
2021 -4.6% -11.7%
2020 -6.58% -13.4%
2019 -6.4% -7.52%
2018 -6.66% -4.96%
2017 -5.01% -5.1%
2016 -7.11% -5%
2015 -7.56% -6.64%
2014 -3.93% -5.99%
2013 -1.9% -5%
2012 -3.79% -5.44%
2011 -3.49% -6.01%
2010 -3.64% -6.73%
2009 -5.14% -8.33%
2008 -2.7% -5.93%
2007 -2.51% -5.81%
2006 -9.92% -5.91%
2005 -10.6% -5.93%
2004 -14.9% -6.32%
2003 -13.7% -6.15%
2002 -4.9% -6.9%
2001 -7.78% -8.48%
2000 -5.66% -7.78%
1999 -5.33% -5.58%
1998 -4.43% -6.79%
1997 -4.48% -5.71%
1996 -8.61% -6.89%
1995 -3.72% -7.11%
1994 -1.76% -7.41%
1993 -1.22% -5.77%
1992 -4.16% -4.95%
1991 4.14% -7.97%
1990 8.14% -6.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Sri Lanka
2024 20.2% -0.43%
2023 26.9% 16.5%
2022 18.8% 49.7%
2021 8.4% 7.01%
2020 7.32% 6.15%
2019 -0.69% 3.53%
2018 -2.81% 2.14%
2017 16.1% 7.7%
2016 5.56% 3.96%
2015 5.54% 3.77%
2014 4.41% 3.18%
2013 7.94% 6.91%
2012 18.2% 7.54%
2011 9.59% 6.72%
2010 6.49% 6.22%
2009 10.6% 3.46%
2008 24.4% 22.6%
2007 8.41% 15.8%
2006 2.75% 10%
2005 13.3% 11.6%
2004 8.18% 7.58%
2003 10.6% 6.31%
2002 -1.37% 9.55%
2001 9.3% 14.2%
2000 24.4% 6.18%
1999 3.39% 4.69%
1998 12.5% 9.36%
1997 31.1% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $284K
Metals $5K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Burundi Sri Lanka
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 40.2 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 162/197
Property rights 27.2 47.3
Government integrity 15.5 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 47.2
Tax burden 76.1 77
Government spending 76.3 89
Fiscal health 14.6 0
Business freedom 27.2 60.1
Labor freedom 49.9 54.3
Monetary freedom 55.5 65.9
Trade freedom 52.2 65.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Sri Lanka
2026 40.2 50.3
2025 39.7 49.4
2024 38.4 49.2
2023 41.9 52.2
2022 39.4 53.3
2021 49.9 55.7
2020 49 57.4
2019 48.9 56.4
2018 50.9 57.8
2017 53.2 57.4
2016 53.9 59.9
2015 53.7 58.6
2014 51.4 60
2013 49 60.7
2012 48.1 58.3
2011 49.6 57.1
2010 47.5 54.6
2009 48.8 56
2008 46.2 58.4
2007 46.9 59.4
2006 48.7 58.7
2005 - 61
2004 - 61.6
2003 - 62.5
2002 - 64
2001 - 66
2000 42.6 63.2
1999 41.1 64
1998 44.7 64.6
1997 45.4 65.5
1996 - 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
27%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.