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Economy of Burundi vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 169/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Burundi vs Tonga GDP by year

Burundi
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Tonga
2024 $3,082,433,067 -
2023 $3,430,949,250 $591,139,749
2022 $4,036,192,553 $556,514,555
2021 $3,435,598,073 $519,306,353
2020 $3,227,847,281 $506,571,468
2019 $2,871,555,326 $506,031,239
2018 $2,913,411,408 $493,530,783
2017 $2,831,362,208 $459,976,850
2016 $2,618,093,125 $420,828,262
2015 $2,810,532,912 $437,525,514
2014 $2,705,826,648 $440,997,738
2013 $2,451,624,638 $451,788,498
2012 $2,327,402,363 $471,122,971
2011 $2,235,812,880 $414,143,828
2010 $2,032,135,192 $366,887,375
2009 $1,775,495,032 $312,415,028
2008 $1,611,835,857 $344,438,844
2007 $1,356,199,387 $298,519,623
2006 $1,273,375,078 $292,232,703
2005 $1,117,113,080 $261,823,805
2004 $915,257,323 $230,678,011
2003 $784,654,424 $202,246,591
2002 $825,394,519 $182,764,281
2001 $876,794,723 $181,117,230
2000 $870,486,066 $204,848,488
1999 $808,077,223 $199,208,718
1998 $893,770,740 $191,504,893
1997 $972,896,268 $214,991,452
1996 $869,033,856 $222,100,576
1995 $1,000,428,394 $208,871,666
1994 $925,030,590 $195,990,986
1993 $938,632,612 $138,489,884
1992 $1,083,037,671 $137,066,291
1991 $1,167,398,478 $132,201,141
1990 $1,132,101,253 $113,563,822
1989 $1,113,924,130 $106,344,855
1988 $1,082,403,219 $106,657,267
1987 $1,131,466,494 $81,667,133
1986 $1,201,725,497 $68,195,856
1985 $1,149,979,286 $60,058,663
1984 $987,143,931 $64,248,355
1983 $1,082,926,304 $60,863,964
1982 $1,013,222,222 $62,068,161
1981 $969,046,667 $62,242,013
1980 $919,726,667 $53,260,077
1979 $782,496,667 $44,667,002
1978 $610,225,556 $41,567,472
1977 $547,535,556 $34,139,388
1976 $448,412,754 $30,036,417
1975 $420,986,667 $32,506,742
1974 $345,263,492 -
1973 $304,339,524 -
1972 $246,804,571 -
1971 $252,842,286 -
1970 $242,732,571 -
1969 $190,205,714 -
1968 $183,200,000 -
1967 $178,297,143 -
1966 $165,444,571 -
1965 $158,994,963 -
1964 $260,750,008 -
1963 $232,749,998 -
1962 $213,500,006 -
1961 $202,999,992 -
1960 $195,999,990 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Tonga by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 - -
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $303 $1,105 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $265 $1,036 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $255.8 $958 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $234.3 $868 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $245.7 $823 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $246.1 $791 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $232.9 $764 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $254.4 $722 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $250.5 $724 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $234.8 $687 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $231.1 $637 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $230.1 $629 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $216.7 $614 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $198.4 $605 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $189.5 $609 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $166.2 $594 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $161.9 $580 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $147.2 $553 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $125.2 $552 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $111.4 $532 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $121 $545 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $132.2 $528 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $134.5 $519 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $127.5 $523 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $144.5 $533 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $160.3 $513 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $143.2 $513 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $164.9 $548 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $161.9 $619 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $165.3 $634 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $184.9 $640 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $204.7 $636 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $202.6 $598 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $203.6 - $1,070 -
1988 $201.7 - $1,078 -
1987 $215.6 - $830 -
1986 $234.3 - $696 -
1985 $228.4 - $613 -
1984 $200.4 - $656 -
1983 $225.2 - $621 -
1982 $216.4 - $633 -
1981 $212.2 - $636 -
1980 $209.8 - $545 -
1979 $186.2 - $458 -
1978 $148.8 - $428 -
1977 $137.4 - $353 -
1976 $115.5 - $315 -
1975 $110.9 - $349 -
1974 $93.2 - - -
1973 $84.3 - - -
1972 $68.2 - - -
1971 $69.9 - - -
1970 $68.8 - - -
1969 $55.1 - - -
1968 $54.2 - - -
1967 $54 - - -
1966 $51.4 - - -
1965 $50.6 - - -
1964 $85.3 - - -
1963 $78.4 - - -
1962 $73.4 - - -
1961 $71.6 - - -
1960 $70.9 - - -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Burundi Tonga
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
169/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
1.65%
2023
Population
14833763
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 51.3% 37%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 44.6% 43%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 26% 53% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 28.5% 38% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 32% 60%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 38% 25.7% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 24% 34%
2007 39% 129.6% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 33.1% 137% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 20% 56.2%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 21.7% 120% 20% 43.6%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 18.8% 38.4%
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 37% in Tonga, ranking 101/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Tonga
2024 -4.84% 4.17%
2023 -7.7% 6.14%
2022 -10.7% -0.1%
2021 -4.6% -0.87%
2020 -6.58% 5.25%
2019 -6.4% 3.28%
2018 -6.66% 2.92%
2017 -5.01% 3.58%
2016 -7.11% 1.47%
2015 -7.56% -2.75%
2014 -3.93% 6.38%
2013 -1.9% -1.3%
2012 -3.79% -1.74%
2011 -3.49% -6.02%
2010 -3.64% -1.22%
2009 -5.14% 6.85%
2008 -2.7% 2.14%
2007 -2.51% 5.39%
2006 -9.92% 1.34%
2005 -10.6% 4.23%
2004 -14.9% 4.23%
2003 -13.7% 2.37%
2002 -4.9% 2.59%
2001 -7.78% 2.23%
2000 -5.66% 1.35%
1999 -5.33% 1.55%
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Burundi's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $264M, equivalent to 7.7% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.49% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Tonga
2024 20.2% 3.18%
2023 26.9% 6.35%
2022 18.8% 11%
2021 8.4% 5.64%
2020 7.32% -0.35%
2019 -0.69% 1.18%
2018 -2.81% 5.03%
2017 16.1% 7.52%
2016 5.56% 2.58%
2015 5.54% -1.05%
2014 4.41% 2.51%
2013 7.94% 0.78%
2012 18.2% 1.15%
2011 9.59% 6.27%
2010 6.49% 3.53%
2009 10.6% 1.43%
2008 24.4% 10.4%
2007 8.41% 5.84%
2006 2.75% 6.15%
2005 13.3% 8.67%
2004 8.18% 11%
2003 10.6% 11.6%
2002 -1.37% 10.4%
2001 9.3% 8.29%
2000 24.4% 6.33%
1999 3.39% 4.46%
1998 12.5% 3.27%
1997 31.1% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Burundi Tonga
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Tonga
Economic freedom 40.2 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 107/197
Property rights 27.2 71.1
Government integrity 15.5 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 64.9
Tax burden 76.1 85.6
Government spending 76.3 31
Fiscal health 14.6 97.3
Business freedom 27.2 59.2
Labor freedom 49.9 55.9
Monetary freedom 55.5 61
Trade freedom 52.2 75.4
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Tonga
2026 40.2 58.9
2025 39.7 58.5
2024 38.4 59.2
2023 41.9 60
2022 39.4 60.8
2021 49.9 57.5
2020 49 58.8
2019 48.9 57.7
2018 50.9 63.1
2017 53.2 63
2016 53.9 59.6
2015 53.7 59.3
2014 51.4 58.2
2013 49 56
2012 48.1 57
2011 49.6 55.8
2010 47.5 53.4
2009 48.8 54.1
2008 46.2 -
2007 46.9 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 42.6 -
1999 41.1 -
1998 44.7 -
1997 45.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Tonga
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
25.9%
2023

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/tonga | 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 (1997–2026, 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.