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Economy of Burundi vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 169/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Burundi vs United States GDP by year

Burundi
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi United States
2024 $3,082,433,067 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $3,430,949,250 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $4,036,192,553 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $3,435,598,073 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $3,227,847,281 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $2,871,555,326 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $2,913,411,408 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $2,831,362,208 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $2,618,093,125 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $2,810,532,912 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $2,705,826,648 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $2,451,624,638 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $2,327,402,363 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $2,235,812,880 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $2,032,135,192 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $1,775,495,032 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $1,611,835,857 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $1,356,199,387 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $1,273,375,078 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $1,117,113,080 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $915,257,323 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $784,654,424 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $825,394,519 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $876,794,723 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $870,486,066 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $808,077,223 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $893,770,740 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $972,896,268 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $869,033,856 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $1,000,428,394 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $925,030,590 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $938,632,612 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $1,083,037,671 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $1,167,398,478 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $1,132,101,253 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $1,113,924,130 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $1,082,403,219 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $1,131,466,494 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $1,201,725,497 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $1,149,979,286 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $987,143,931 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $1,082,926,304 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $1,013,222,222 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $969,046,667 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $919,726,667 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $782,496,667 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $610,225,556 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $547,535,556 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $448,412,754 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $420,986,667 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $345,263,492 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $304,339,524 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $246,804,571 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $252,842,286 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $242,732,571 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $190,205,714 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $183,200,000 $940,225,000,000
1967 $178,297,143 $859,620,034,483
1966 $165,444,571 $813,032,758,621
1965 $158,994,963 $741,904,862,069
1964 $260,750,008 $684,144,620,690
1963 $232,749,998 $637,058,551,724
1962 $213,500,006 $603,639,413,793
1961 $202,999,992 $561,940,310,345
1960 $195,999,990 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs United States by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $303 $1,105 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $265 $1,036 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $255.8 $958 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $234.3 $868 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $245.7 $823 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $246.1 $791 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $232.9 $764 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $254.4 $722 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $250.5 $724 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $234.8 $687 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $231.1 $637 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $230.1 $629 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $216.7 $614 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $198.4 $605 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $189.5 $609 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $166.2 $594 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $161.9 $580 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $147.2 $553 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $125.2 $552 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $111.4 $532 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $121 $545 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $132.2 $528 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $134.5 $519 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $127.5 $523 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $144.5 $533 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $160.3 $513 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $143.2 $513 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $164.9 $548 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $161.9 $619 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $165.3 $634 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $184.9 $640 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $204.7 $636 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $202.6 $598 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $203.6 - $22,857 -
1988 $201.7 - $21,417 -
1987 $215.6 - $20,039 -
1986 $234.3 - $19,071 -
1985 $228.4 - $18,237 -
1984 $200.4 - $17,121 -
1983 $225.2 - $15,544 -
1982 $216.4 - $14,434 -
1981 $212.2 - $13,976 -
1980 $209.8 - $12,613 -
1979 $186.2 - $11,674 -
1978 $148.8 - $10,565 -
1977 $137.4 - $9,453 -
1976 $115.5 - $8,592 -
1975 $110.9 - $7,801 -
1974 $93.2 - $7,226 -
1973 $84.3 - $6,726 -
1972 $68.2 - $6,094 -
1971 $69.9 - $5,609 -
1970 $68.8 - $5,234 -
1969 $55.1 - $5,020 -
1968 $54.2 - $4,685 -
1967 $54 - $4,326 -
1966 $51.4 - $4,136 -
1965 $50.6 - $3,818 -
1964 $85.3 - $3,565 -
1963 $78.4 - $3,366 -
1962 $73.4 - $3,236 -
1961 $71.6 - $3,059 -
1960 $70.9 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/united-states | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Burundi United States
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
4.02%
2024
Population
14833763
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 43.2% 125%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 26% 53% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 35% 105.4%
2014 28.5% 38% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 35.8% 105%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 38.8% 100%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 38% 25.7% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 39% 129.6% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 33.1% 137% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 34% 59%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 21.7% 120% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 19.9% 138.9% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 18.8% 122.8% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 24.4% 139.4% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 22.1% 117.1% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 19.4% 119.6% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 24% 112% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 26.1% 93.5% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 19.2% - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 17.4% - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 101/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi United States
2024 -4.84% -8.03%
2023 -7.7% -7.8%
2022 -10.7% -3.72%
2021 -4.6% -11.4%
2020 -6.58% -14.1%
2019 -6.4% -5.81%
2018 -6.66% -5.33%
2017 -5.01% -4.79%
2016 -7.11% -4.36%
2015 -7.56% -3.53%
2014 -3.93% -4.03%
2013 -1.9% -4.56%
2012 -3.79% -8.11%
2011 -3.49% -9.72%
2010 -3.64% -11%
2009 -5.14% -13.2%
2008 -2.7% -6.61%
2007 -2.51% -2.91%
2006 -9.92% -2.04%
2005 -10.6% -3.07%
2004 -14.9% -4.24%
2003 -13.7% -4.77%
2002 -4.9% -3.82%
2001 -7.78% -0.54%
2000 -5.66% 3.62%
1999 -5.33% 2.71%
1998 -4.43% 2.18%
1997 -4.48% 0.88%
1996 -8.61% -0.46%
1995 -3.72% -1.7%
1994 -1.76% -2.05%
1993 -1.22% -3.35%
1992 -4.16% -3.98%
1991 4.14% -2.72%
1990 8.14% -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 5.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.4% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi United States
2024 20.2% 2.95%
2023 26.9% 4.12%
2022 18.8% 8%
2021 8.4% 4.7%
2020 7.32% 1.23%
2019 -0.69% 1.81%
2018 -2.81% 2.44%
2017 16.1% 2.13%
2016 5.56% 1.26%
2015 5.54% 0.12%
2014 4.41% 1.62%
2013 7.94% 1.46%
2012 18.2% 2.07%
2011 9.59% 3.16%
2010 6.49% 1.64%
2009 10.6% -0.36%
2008 24.4% 3.84%
2007 8.41% 2.85%
2006 2.75% 3.23%
2005 13.3% 3.39%
2004 8.18% 2.68%
2003 10.6% 2.27%
2002 -1.37% 1.59%
2001 9.3% 2.83%
2000 24.4% 3.38%
1999 3.39% 2.19%
1998 12.5% 1.55%
1997 31.1% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.63M
Chemicals & pharma $325K
Machinery & equipment $55K
Raw materials & minerals $36K
Miscellaneous $27K
Animal & marine products $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
United States
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.15M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.76M
Machinery & equipment $922K
Chemicals & pharma $843K
Miscellaneous $125K
Textiles & consumer goods $110K
Wood & paper products $54K
Metals $15K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K

Balance of trade

Burundi United States
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi United States
Economic freedom 40.2 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 27/197
Property rights 27.2 91.6
Government integrity 15.5 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 76.4
Tax burden 76.1 75.3
Government spending 76.3 57.9
Fiscal health 14.6 18.5
Business freedom 27.2 88.6
Labor freedom 49.9 76.3
Monetary freedom 55.5 84.2
Trade freedom 52.2 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi United States
2026 40.2 72.8
2025 39.7 70.2
2024 38.4 70.1
2023 41.9 70.6
2022 39.4 72.1
2021 49.9 74.8
2020 49 76.6
2019 48.9 76.8
2018 50.9 75.7
2017 53.2 75.1
2016 53.9 75.4
2015 53.7 76.2
2014 51.4 75.5
2013 49 76
2012 48.1 76.3
2011 49.6 77.8
2010 47.5 78
2009 48.8 80.7
2008 46.2 81
2007 46.9 81.2
2006 48.7 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 42.6 76.4
1999 41.1 75.5
1998 44.7 75.4
1997 45.4 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/burundi/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi United States
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
21.8%
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/united-states | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.