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Economy of Burundi vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Burundi has a GDP of $3.36B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 169/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.39B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Burundi vs Syria GDP by year

Burundi
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Syria
2025 $3,364,713,864 -
2024 $3,037,579,858 -
2023 $3,419,558,408 $19,993,439,950
2022 $4,020,736,757 $23,737,634,644
2021 $3,425,127,991 $14,892,885,528
2020 $3,188,355,944 $12,501,503,673
2019 $2,871,555,326 $22,583,046,645
2018 $2,913,411,408 $21,497,779,248
2017 $2,831,362,208 $16,369,842,725
2016 $2,618,093,125 $12,597,854,088
2015 $2,810,532,912 $16,466,861,435
2014 $2,705,826,648 $21,502,061,466
2013 $2,451,624,638 $21,361,254,635
2012 $2,327,402,363 $43,190,318,033
2011 $2,235,812,880 $67,539,433,544
2010 $2,032,135,192 $61,390,833,273
2009 $1,775,495,032 $54,111,721,044
2008 $1,611,835,857 $52,557,913,397
2007 $1,356,199,387 $40,465,331,020
2006 $1,273,375,078 $33,751,812,959
2005 $1,117,113,080 $28,858,937,499
2004 $915,257,323 $25,086,910,448
2003 $784,654,424 $21,828,144,686
2002 $825,394,519 $20,786,986,580
2001 $876,794,723 $20,078,599,626
2000 $870,486,066 $18,937,031,610
1999 $808,077,223 $15,873,875,969
1998 $893,770,740 $15,200,846,154
1997 $972,896,268 $14,505,233,463
1996 $869,033,856 $13,789,560,878
1995 $1,000,428,394 $11,396,706,587
1994 $925,030,590 $10,122,020,000
1993 $938,632,612 $13,695,962,055
1992 $1,083,037,671 $13,253,565,861
1991 $1,167,398,478 $12,981,833,333
1990 $1,132,101,253 $12,308,624,418
1989 $1,113,924,130 $9,853,395,762
1988 $1,082,403,219 $10,577,041,645
1987 $1,131,466,494 $11,356,215,543
1986 $1,201,725,497 $13,293,205,278
1985 $1,149,979,286 $16,403,539,893
1984 $987,143,931 $17,503,078,174
1983 $1,082,926,304 $17,589,277,143
1982 $1,013,222,222 $16,298,929,011
1981 $969,046,667 $15,518,201,335
1980 $919,726,667 $13,062,420,382
1979 $782,496,667 $9,929,681,529
1978 $610,225,556 $9,275,200,458
1977 $547,535,556 $7,696,011,396
1976 $448,412,754 $7,633,528,867
1975 $420,986,667 $6,826,980,444
1974 $345,263,492 $5,159,557,148
1973 $304,339,524 $3,239,487,516
1972 $246,804,571 $3,059,681,698
1971 $252,842,286 $2,589,851,325
1970 $242,732,571 $2,140,384,010
1969 $190,205,714 $2,245,011,515
1968 $183,200,000 $1,753,746,430
1967 $178,297,143 $1,580,229,799
1966 $165,444,571 $1,342,287,553
1965 $158,994,963 $1,472,036,540
1964 $260,750,008 $1,339,494,267
1963 $232,749,998 $1,200,447,408
1962 $213,500,006 $1,110,565,881
1961 $202,999,992 $945,244,972
1960 $195,999,990 $857,704,413

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Syria by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $233.8 - - -
2024 $216.2 $1,195 - -
2023 $249.8 $1,150 $847 $4,650
2022 $302 $1,105 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $264.2 $1,036 $689 $4,593
2020 $252.7 $958 $594 $3,738
2019 $234.3 $868 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $245.7 $823 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $246.1 $791 $852 $3,265
2016 $232.9 $764 $656 -
2015 $254.4 $722 $848 -
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,061 -
2013 $234.8 $687 $986 -
2012 $231.1 $637 $1,898 -
2011 $230.1 $629 $2,952 -
2010 $216.7 $614 $2,731 -
2009 $198.4 $605 $2,462 -
2008 $189.5 $609 $2,429 -
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,938 -
2006 $161.9 $580 $1,719 -
2005 $147.2 $553 $1,534 -
2004 $125.2 $552 $1,368 -
2003 $111.4 $532 $1,220 -
2002 $121 $545 $1,190 -
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,178 -
2000 $134.5 $519 $1,138 -
1999 $127.5 $523 $978 -
1998 $144.5 $533 $961 -
1997 $160.3 $513 $941 -
1996 $143.2 $513 $918 -
1995 $164.9 $548 $780 -
1994 $161.9 $619 $712 -
1993 $165.3 $634 $993 -
1992 $184.9 $640 $990 -
1991 $204.7 $636 $1,000 -
1990 $202.6 $598 $978 -
1989 $203.6 - $809 -
1988 $201.7 - $898 -
1987 $215.6 - $997 -
1986 $234.3 - $1,208 -
1985 $228.4 - $1,544 -
1984 $200.4 - $1,706 -
1983 $225.2 - $1,776 -
1982 $216.4 - $1,703 -
1981 $212.2 - $1,676 -
1980 $209.8 - $1,458 -
1979 $186.2 - $1,146 -
1978 $148.8 - $1,108 -
1977 $137.4 - $951 -
1976 $115.5 - $976 -
1975 $110.9 - $904 -
1974 $93.2 - $707 -
1973 $84.3 - $459 -
1972 $68.2 - $448 -
1971 $69.9 - $393 -
1970 $68.8 - $335 -
1969 $55.1 - $364 -
1968 $54.2 - $293.3 -
1967 $54 - $272.9 -
1966 $51.4 - $239.3 -
1965 $50.6 - $270.8 -
1964 $85.3 - $254.2 -
1963 $78.4 - $234.9 -
1962 $73.4 - $223.9 -
1961 $71.6 - $196.3 -
1960 $70.9 - $183.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $233.8, ranking 197/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Burundi Syria
Gross domestic product
$3.36B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
169/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
4.24%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$233.8
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$1.39B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$96.3
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,052
2026
$693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
34.1%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
14.9%
2011
Population
14909238
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.4% 41.2% - -
2024 22.3% 53.1% - -
2023 28.4% 59.9% - -
2022 33.5% 69.8% - -
2021 28.4% 63.6% - -
2020 29.2% 65.9% - -
2019 28.8% 60.1% - -
2018 26% 53% - -
2017 24.1% 46.9% - -
2016 22.6% 46.1% - -
2015 23.2% 39.9% - -
2014 28.5% 38% - -
2013 34.8% 37.9% - -
2012 37.5% 41.4% - -
2011 42.2% 42.7% - -
2010 40.8% 46.9% 28.6% 30%
2009 38% 25.7% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 39% 129.6% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 26.3% 45%
2005 33.1% 137% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 31.3% 113%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 28% 144.5%
2000 21.7% 120% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 28% 147.7%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 29% 147.6%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 30.3% 163%
1993 24% 112% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 19.2% - 34.3% 182.4%
1990 17.4% - 28.3% 189.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Burundi's government spending was $686M, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Burundi and 30% in Syria, ranking 129/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Syria
2025 -2.98% -
2024 -4.83% -
2023 -7.7% -
2022 -10.7% -
2021 -4.6% -
2020 -6.58% -
2019 -6.4% -
2018 -6.66% -
2017 -5.01% -
2016 -7.11% -
2015 -7.56% -
2014 -3.93% -
2013 -1.9% -
2012 -3.79% -
2011 -3.49% -
2010 -3.64% -7.79%
2009 -5.14% -2.89%
2008 -2.7% -2.86%
2007 -2.51% -2.99%
2006 -9.92% -1.12%
2005 -10.6% -4.41%
2004 -14.9% -4.18%
2003 -13.7% -2.7%
2002 -4.9% -2.02%
2001 -7.78% 2.3%
2000 -5.66% -1.36%
1999 -5.33% -1.47%
1998 -4.43% -2.81%
1997 -4.48% -1.78%
1996 -8.61% -2.83%
1995 -3.72% -3.81%
1994 -1.76% -6%
1993 -1.22% -4.96%
1992 -4.16% -7.26%
1991 4.14% -6.57%
1990 8.14% -3.92%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2010, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $73.9M, equivalent to 3.64% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 4.9% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Syria
2025 34.1% -
2024 20.2% -
2023 26.9% -
2022 18.8% -
2021 8.4% -
2020 7.32% -
2019 -0.69% 13.4%
2018 -2.81% 0.94%
2017 16.1% 18.1%
2016 5.56% 47.7%
2015 5.54% 38.5%
2014 4.41% 10.9%
2013 7.94% 40%
2012 18.2% 36.7%
2011 9.59% 4.75%
2010 6.49% 4.4%
2009 10.6% 2.92%
2008 24.4% 15.7%
2007 8.41% 3.91%
2006 2.75% 10%
2005 13.3% 7.24%
2004 8.18% 4.43%
2003 10.6% 5.8%
2002 -1.37% -0.13%
2001 9.3% 3%
2000 24.4% -3.85%
1999 3.39% -3.7%
1998 12.5% -0.8%
1997 31.1% 1.89%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.9%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 34.1% in Burundi and 13.4% in Syria.

Balance of trade

Burundi Syria
Current account balance
-$461M
2025
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
103/190
2025
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.7%
2025
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$1.1B
2025
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$407M
2025
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$406M
2025
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$148M
2025
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Syria
Economic freedom 40.2 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 155/197
Property rights 27.2 4
Government integrity 15.5 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 3.7
Tax burden 76.1 87.3
Government spending 76.3 78.5
Fiscal health 14.6 13.8
Business freedom 27.2 33.8
Labor freedom 49.9 37.2
Monetary freedom 55.5 80
Trade freedom 52.2 47
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Syria
2026 40.2 -
2025 39.7 -
2024 38.4 -
2023 41.9 -
2022 39.4 -
2021 49.9 -
2020 49 -
2019 48.9 -
2018 50.9 -
2017 53.2 -
2016 53.9 -
2015 53.7 -
2014 51.4 -
2013 49 -
2012 48.1 51.2
2011 49.6 51.3
2010 47.5 49.4
2009 48.8 51.3
2008 46.2 47.2
2007 46.9 48.3
2006 48.7 51.2
2005 - 46.3
2004 - 40.6
2003 - 41.3
2002 - 36.3
2001 - 36.6
2000 42.6 37.2
1999 41.1 39
1998 44.7 42.2
1997 45.4 43
1996 - 42.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Syria
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.3%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$3.46B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,250
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$31.2M
2025
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.18%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
16%
1969

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.