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Economy of Burundi vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 169/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Burundi vs Sudan GDP by year

Burundi
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Sudan
2024 $3,082,433,067 $49,672,435,513
2023 $3,430,949,250 $39,898,289,821
2022 $4,036,192,553 $51,666,875,363
2021 $3,435,598,073 $34,229,513,775
2020 $3,227,847,281 $27,034,593,750
2019 $2,871,555,326 $32,338,079,165
2018 $2,913,411,408 $32,333,780,383
2017 $2,831,362,208 $41,283,617,976
2016 $2,618,093,125 $42,630,376,000
2015 $2,810,532,912 $51,726,758,677
2014 $2,705,826,648 $49,516,748,618
2013 $2,451,624,638 $43,024,018,082
2012 $2,327,402,363 $37,632,919,967
2011 $2,235,812,880 $55,018,567,211
2010 $2,032,135,192 $58,962,978,034
2009 $1,775,495,032 $51,621,044,077
2008 $1,611,835,857 $64,833,083,257
2007 $1,356,199,387 $59,440,139,775
2006 $1,273,375,078 $45,263,831,634
2005 $1,117,113,080 $35,182,711,988
2004 $915,257,323 $26,646,007,251
2003 $784,654,424 $21,355,298,460
2002 $825,394,519 $18,137,128,388
2001 $876,794,723 $15,716,361,792
2000 $870,486,066 $12,257,299,147
1999 $808,077,223 $10,682,028,340
1998 $893,770,740 $11,250,221,537
1997 $972,896,268 $11,681,175,864
1996 $869,033,856 $9,018,300,725
1995 $1,000,428,394 $13,830,363,900
1994 $925,030,590 $12,793,794,737
1993 $938,632,612 $8,881,005,436
1992 $1,083,037,671 $7,031,933,492
1991 $1,167,398,478 $44,171,194,366
1990 $1,132,101,253 $33,641,222,222
1989 $1,113,924,130 $21,408,111,111
1988 $1,082,403,219 $14,372,555,556
1987 $1,131,466,494 $12,093,333,333
1986 $1,201,725,497 $10,092,200,000
1985 $1,149,979,286 $8,075,259,600
1984 $987,143,931 $10,447,615,385
1983 $1,082,926,304 $8,230,153,846
1982 $1,013,222,222 $8,732,542,274
1981 $969,046,667 $10,753,888,154
1980 $919,726,667 $8,951,800,000
1979 $782,496,667 $8,418,407,787
1978 $610,225,556 $8,128,719,315
1977 $547,535,556 $7,499,005,639
1976 $448,412,754 $6,013,210,816
1975 $420,986,667 $4,823,090,192
1974 $345,263,492 $3,958,931,660
1973 $304,339,524 $3,077,254,460
1972 $246,804,571 $2,483,055,722
1971 $252,842,286 $2,288,340,041
1970 $242,732,571 $2,100,229,759
1969 $190,205,714 $1,847,501,441
1968 $183,200,000 $1,677,771,401
1967 $178,297,143 $1,607,409,539
1966 $165,444,571 $1,484,491,676
1965 $158,994,963 $1,446,869,619
1964 $260,750,008 $1,388,282,600
1963 $232,749,998 $1,351,234,926
1962 $213,500,006 $1,328,259,625
1961 $202,999,992 $1,222,860,429
1960 $195,999,990 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Sudan by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $985 $2,116
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $797 $2,421
2022 $303 $1,105 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $265 $1,036 $712 $3,249
2020 $255.8 $958 $578 $3,349
2019 $234.3 $868 $710 $3,914
2018 $245.7 $823 $731 $4,199
2017 $246.1 $791 $967 $4,252
2016 $232.9 $764 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $254.4 $722 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $234.8 $687 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $231.1 $637 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $230.1 $629 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $216.7 $614 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $189.5 $609 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $161.9 $580 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $147.2 $553 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $125.2 $552 $872 $3,215
2003 $111.4 $532 $714 $3,058
2002 $121 $545 $621 $2,898
2001 $132.2 $528 $551 $2,769
2000 $134.5 $519 $441 $2,616
1999 $127.5 $523 $394 $2,475
1998 $144.5 $533 $425 $2,428
1997 $160.3 $513 $453 $2,358
1996 $143.2 $513 $357 $2,006
1995 $164.9 $548 $561 $1,902
1994 $161.9 $619 $532 $1,805
1993 $165.3 $634 $379 $1,794
1992 $184.9 $640 $307 $1,710
1991 $204.7 $636 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $202.6 $598 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $203.6 - $992 -
1988 $201.7 - $680 -
1987 $215.6 - $584 -
1986 $234.3 - $497 -
1985 $228.4 - $406 -
1984 $200.4 - $534 -
1983 $225.2 - $431 -
1982 $216.4 - $472 -
1981 $212.2 - $605 -
1980 $209.8 - $525 -
1979 $186.2 - $515 -
1978 $148.8 - $518 -
1977 $137.4 - $497 -
1976 $115.5 - $413 -
1975 $110.9 - $343 -
1974 $93.2 - $291.5 -
1973 $84.3 - $235.8 -
1972 $68.2 - $198.2 -
1971 $69.9 - $189 -
1970 $68.8 - $179.6 -
1969 $55.1 - $163.5 -
1968 $54.2 - $153.7 -
1967 $54 - $152.4 -
1966 $51.4 - $145.6 -
1965 $50.6 - $146.8 -
1964 $85.3 - $145.7 -
1963 $78.4 - $146.6 -
1962 $73.4 - $148.9 -
1961 $71.6 - $141.6 -
1960 $70.9 - $134.7 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Burundi Sudan
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
7.53%
2022
Population
14833763
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 26% 53% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 28.5% 38% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 38% 25.7% 18.8% 71%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 39% 129.6% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 33.1% 137% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 21.7% 120% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 12.9% 239%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 19.6% 386%
1993 24% 112% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 50.4% 495%
1991 19.2% - 45.7% -
1990 17.4% - 31% -

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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 101/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Sudan
2024 -4.84% -3.46%
2023 -7.7% -3.7%
2022 -10.7% -2.15%
2021 -4.6% -0.29%
2020 -6.58% -6.03%
2019 -6.4% -10.8%
2018 -6.66% -7.92%
2017 -5.01% -6.07%
2016 -7.11% -3.92%
2015 -7.56% -3.87%
2014 -3.93% -4.72%
2013 -1.9% -5.76%
2012 -3.79% -7.37%
2011 -3.49% -2.33%
2010 -3.64% 0.11%
2009 -5.14% -3.8%
2008 -2.7% 0.49%
2007 -2.51% -2.84%
2006 -9.92% -1.32%
2005 -10.6% -1.88%
2004 -14.9% 0.16%
2003 -13.7% 0.77%
2002 -4.9% -0.69%
2001 -7.78% -0.77%
2000 -5.66% -0.7%
1999 -5.33% -0.8%
1998 -4.43% -0.56%
1997 -4.48% -0.59%
1996 -8.61% -2.61%
1995 -3.72% -3.48%
1994 -1.76% -3.03%
1993 -1.22% -8.04%
1992 -4.16% -24.5%
1991 4.14% -26.5%
1990 8.14% -16.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Sudan
2024 20.2% -
2023 26.9% -
2022 18.8% 138.8%
2021 8.4% 359%
2020 7.32% 163.3%
2019 -0.69% 51%
2018 -2.81% 63.3%
2017 16.1% 32.4%
2016 5.56% 17.8%
2015 5.54% 16.9%
2014 4.41% 36.9%
2013 7.94% 36.5%
2012 18.2% 35.6%
2011 9.59% 18.1%
2010 6.49% 13%
2009 10.6% 11.3%
2008 24.4% 14.3%
2007 8.41% 14.8%
2006 2.75% 7.2%
2005 13.3% 8.51%
2004 8.18% 9.66%
2003 10.6% 6.49%
2002 -1.37% 22.2%
2001 9.3% 1.94%
2000 24.4% 7.12%
1999 3.39% 17.2%
1998 12.5% 24.6%
1997 31.1% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.1%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.29M
Raw agricultural goods $1M
Machinery & equipment $44K
Chemicals & pharma $20K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Metals $5K
Miscellaneous $5K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Wood & paper products $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Burundi Sudan
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$361M
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$121M
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Sudan
Economic freedom 40.2 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 191/197
Property rights 27.2 6.5
Government integrity 15.5 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 2.4
Tax burden 76.1 84.7
Government spending 76.3 96.5
Fiscal health 14.6 64.6
Business freedom 27.2 27.3
Labor freedom 49.9 33.6
Monetary freedom 55.5 6.2
Trade freedom 52.2 29.6
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Sudan
2026 40.2 32.5
2025 39.7 35.3
2024 38.4 33.9
2023 41.9 32.8
2022 39.4 32
2021 49.9 39.1
2020 49 45
2019 48.9 47.7
2018 50.9 49.4
2017 53.2 48.8
2016 53.9 -
2015 53.7 -
2014 51.4 -
2013 49 -
2012 48.1 -
2011 49.6 -
2010 47.5 -
2009 48.8 -
2008 46.2 -
2007 46.9 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 42.6 47.2
1999 41.1 39.6
1998 44.7 38.3
1997 45.4 39.9
1996 - 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Sudan
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
2.89%
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/sudan | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.