Skip to content

Economy of Burundi vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 169/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Burundi vs Tanzania GDP by year

Burundi
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Tanzania
2024 $3,082,433,067 $78,844,405,385
2023 $3,430,949,250 $79,030,935,627
2022 $4,036,192,553 $75,749,121,843
2021 $3,435,598,073 $70,655,628,148
2020 $3,227,847,281 $66,068,737,786
2019 $2,871,555,326 $61,026,731,926
2018 $2,913,411,408 $57,003,712,892
2017 $2,831,362,208 $53,274,884,533
2016 $2,618,093,125 $49,774,409,374
2015 $2,810,532,912 $47,413,919,817
2014 $2,705,826,648 $49,986,726,461
2013 $2,451,624,638 $45,648,857,242
2012 $2,327,402,363 $39,650,394,363
2011 $2,235,812,880 $34,657,140,096
2010 $2,032,135,192 $32,012,892,919
2009 $1,775,495,032 $29,400,573,554
2008 $1,611,835,857 $27,947,821,398
2007 $1,356,199,387 $21,860,434,823
2006 $1,273,375,078 $18,619,859,795
2005 $1,117,113,080 $18,395,383,647
2004 $915,257,323 $16,673,062,473
2003 $784,654,424 $15,211,487,709
2002 $825,394,519 $14,129,651,896
2001 $876,794,723 $13,563,990,022
2000 $870,486,066 $13,371,767,082
1999 $808,077,223 $12,704,334,196
1998 $893,770,740 $12,172,790,056
1997 $972,896,268 $11,158,197,942
1996 $869,033,856 $9,433,528,150
1995 $1,000,428,394 $7,631,431,840
1994 $925,030,590 $6,550,480,484
1993 $938,632,612 $6,182,872,708
1992 $1,083,037,671 $6,681,997,469
1991 $1,167,398,478 $7,197,768,159
1990 $1,132,101,253 $6,184,384,225
1989 $1,113,924,130 $6,418,799,007
1988 $1,082,403,219 $7,406,614,407
1987 $1,131,466,494 $7,824,193,222
1986 $1,201,725,497 $10,840,864,521
1985 $1,149,979,286 $15,328,295,175
1984 $987,143,931 $12,906,635,133
1983 $1,082,926,304 $14,049,883,809
1982 $1,013,222,222 $13,927,383,240
1981 $969,046,667 $13,161,540,378
1980 $919,726,667 $11,409,228,087
1979 $782,496,667 $9,804,637,491
1978 $610,225,556 $9,261,675,710
1977 $547,535,556 $7,732,598,995
1976 $448,412,754 $6,472,511,988
1975 $420,986,667 $5,729,917,840
1974 $345,263,492 $4,977,337,978
1973 $304,339,524 $4,144,104,535
1972 $246,804,571 $3,472,787,266
1971 $252,842,286 $3,050,673,517
1970 $242,732,571 $2,851,419,386
1969 $190,205,714 $5,142,066,811
1968 $183,200,000 $4,895,251,824
1967 $178,297,143 $4,565,132,048
1966 $165,444,571 $4,377,998,825
1965 $158,994,963 $3,817,226,546
1964 $260,750,008 $3,748,840,925
1963 $232,749,998 $3,456,579,293
1962 $213,500,006 $3,101,589,993
1961 $202,999,992 $2,826,179,031
1960 $195,999,990 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Tanzania by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $303 $1,105 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $265 $1,036 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $255.8 $958 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $234.3 $868 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $245.7 $823 $992 $2,728
2017 $246.1 $791 $957 $2,472
2016 $232.9 $764 $925 $2,435
2015 $254.4 $722 $911 $2,317
2014 $250.5 $724 $993 $2,221
2013 $234.8 $687 $935 $2,176
2012 $231.1 $637 $837 $2,083
2011 $230.1 $629 $753 $2,211
2010 $216.7 $614 $715 $2,069
2009 $198.4 $605 $674 $1,972
2008 $189.5 $609 $657 $1,908
2007 $166.2 $594 $528 $1,820
2006 $161.9 $580 $462 $1,707
2005 $147.2 $553 $469 $1,598
2004 $125.2 $552 $438 $1,482
2003 $111.4 $532 $410 $1,379
2002 $121 $545 $391 $1,302
2001 $132.2 $528 $385 $1,229
2000 $134.5 $519 $390 $1,164
1999 $127.5 $523 $382 $1,120
1998 $144.5 $533 $375 $1,082
1997 $160.3 $513 $353 $1,059
1996 $143.2 $513 $305 $1,026
1995 $164.9 $548 $251.2 $981
1994 $161.9 $619 $222.5 $958
1993 $165.3 $634 $218.2 $959
1992 $184.9 $640 $243.4 $955
1991 $204.7 $636 $268.8 $952
1990 $202.6 $598 $236.9 $925
1989 $203.6 - $252.3 -
1988 $201.7 - $299 -
1987 $215.6 - $326 -
1986 $234.3 - $466 -
1985 $228.4 - $681 -
1984 $200.4 - $593 -
1983 $225.2 - $667 -
1982 $216.4 - $683 -
1981 $212.2 - $665 -
1980 $209.8 - $595 -
1979 $186.2 - $527 -
1978 $148.8 - $515 -
1977 $137.4 - $446 -
1976 $115.5 - $387 -
1975 $110.9 - $355 -
1974 $93.2 - $320 -
1973 $84.3 - $276.1 -
1972 $68.2 - $239.8 -
1971 $69.9 - $218.4 -
1970 $68.8 - $211.3 -
1969 $55.1 - $394 -
1968 $54.2 - $388 -
1967 $54 - $374 -
1966 $51.4 - $370 -
1965 $50.6 - $333 -
1964 $85.3 - $337 -
1963 $78.4 - $320 -
1962 $73.4 - $295.7 -
1961 $71.6 - $277.4 -
1960 $70.9 - $267.8 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Burundi Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
2.43%
2024
Population
14833763
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 19% 47.8%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 26% 53% 17.3% 42%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 28.5% 38% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 19.6% 30%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 19% 28.4%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 38% 25.7% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 39% 129.6% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 33.1% 137% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 17% 44.5%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 21.7% 120% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 16.8% 126%
1993 24% 112% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 19.2% - 14.2% 106.5%
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 (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 101/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Tanzania
2024 -4.84% -3.03%
2023 -7.7% -3.67%
2022 -10.7% -3.92%
2021 -4.6% -3.55%
2020 -6.58% -2.56%
2019 -6.4% -2.06%
2018 -6.66% -2.01%
2017 -5.01% -1.14%
2016 -7.11% -2.08%
2015 -7.56% -3.17%
2014 -3.93% -2.91%
2013 -1.9% -3.76%
2012 -3.79% -4%
2011 -3.49% -3.51%
2010 -3.64% -4.74%
2009 -5.14% -4.46%
2008 -2.7% -1.92%
2007 -2.51% -1.44%
2006 -9.92% -3.38%
2005 -10.6% -3.28%
2004 -14.9% -2.43%
2003 -13.7% -1.77%
2002 -4.9% -0.73%
2001 -7.78% -0.41%
2000 -5.66% -0.73%
1999 -5.33% -1.14%
1998 -4.43% 0.13%
1997 -4.48% -0.03%
1996 -8.61% 1.57%
1995 -3.72% -2.12%
1994 -1.76% -3.74%
1993 -1.22% -2.02%
1992 -4.16% -4.96%
1991 4.14% 0.6%
1990 8.14% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Tanzania
2024 20.2% 3.06%
2023 26.9% 3.8%
2022 18.8% 4.35%
2021 8.4% 3.69%
2020 7.32% 3.29%
2019 -0.69% 3.46%
2018 -2.81% 3.49%
2017 16.1% 5.32%
2016 5.56% 5.17%
2015 5.54% 5.59%
2014 4.41% 6.13%
2013 7.94% 7.87%
2012 18.2% 16%
2011 9.59% 12.7%
2010 6.49% 6.2%
2009 10.6% 12.1%
2008 24.4% 10.3%
2007 8.41% 7.03%
2006 2.75% 7.25%
2005 13.3% 5.03%
2004 8.18% 4.74%
2003 10.6% 5.3%
2002 -1.37% 5.32%
2001 9.3% 5.15%
2000 24.4% 5.92%
1999 3.39% 7.89%
1998 12.5% 12.8%
1997 31.1% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.5M
Machinery & equipment $2.7M
Metals $1.44M
Textiles & consumer goods $519K
Chemicals & pharma $306K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $256K
Raw materials & minerals $64K
Animal & marine products $22K
Miscellaneous $12K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $26.6M
Metals $13.2M
Raw agricultural goods $6.42M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.12M
Chemicals & pharma $5.06M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.19M
Wood & paper products $1.42M
Miscellaneous $1.2M
Machinery & equipment $948K
Animal & marine products $229K

Balance of trade

Burundi Tanzania
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Tanzania
Economic freedom 40.2 59
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 106/197
Property rights 27.2 45.2
Government integrity 15.5 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 29.6
Tax burden 76.1 80.4
Government spending 76.3 89.1
Fiscal health 14.6 75
Business freedom 27.2 48.1
Labor freedom 49.9 62.3
Monetary freedom 55.5 73.4
Trade freedom 52.2 58.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Tanzania
2026 40.2 59
2025 39.7 59.3
2024 38.4 59.1
2023 41.9 60
2022 39.4 59.5
2021 49.9 61.3
2020 49 61.7
2019 48.9 60.2
2018 50.9 59.9
2017 53.2 58.6
2016 53.9 58.5
2015 53.7 57.5
2014 51.4 57.8
2013 49 57.9
2012 48.1 57
2011 49.6 57
2010 47.5 58.3
2009 48.8 58.3
2008 46.2 56.5
2007 46.9 56.8
2006 48.7 58.5
2005 - 56.3
2004 - 60.1
2003 - 56.9
2002 - 58.3
2001 - 54.9
2000 42.6 56
1999 41.1 60
1998 44.7 59.6
1997 45.4 59.3
1996 - 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.