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Economy of Burundi vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 169/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Burundi vs Vietnam GDP by year

Burundi
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Vietnam
2024 $3,082,433,067 $476,388,230,307
2023 $3,430,949,250 $433,857,681,378
2022 $4,036,192,553 $413,445,230,669
2021 $3,435,598,073 $366,474,752,771
2020 $3,227,847,281 $346,615,738,538
2019 $2,871,555,326 $334,365,270,497
2018 $2,913,411,408 $310,106,478,395
2017 $2,831,362,208 $281,353,605,987
2016 $2,618,093,125 $257,096,001,178
2015 $2,810,532,912 $239,258,328,382
2014 $2,705,826,648 $233,451,469,643
2013 $2,451,624,638 $213,708,811,665
2012 $2,327,402,363 $195,590,661,129
2011 $2,235,812,880 $172,595,049,184
2010 $2,032,135,192 $147,201,173,197
2009 $1,775,495,032 $106,014,659,565
2008 $1,611,835,857 $99,130,304,099
2007 $1,356,199,387 $77,414,425,532
2006 $1,273,375,078 $66,371,664,817
2005 $1,117,113,080 $57,633,255,738
2004 $915,257,323 $45,427,854,693
2003 $784,654,424 $39,552,513,232
2002 $825,394,519 $35,064,105,501
2001 $876,794,723 $32,685,198,809
2000 $870,486,066 $31,172,518,403
1999 $808,077,223 $28,683,659,007
1998 $893,770,740 $27,209,602,050
1997 $972,896,268 $26,843,700,442
1996 $869,033,856 $24,657,470,575
1995 $1,000,428,394 $20,736,164,459
1994 $925,030,590 $16,286,433,533
1993 $938,632,612 $13,180,953,598
1992 $1,083,037,671 $9,866,990,236
1991 $1,167,398,478 $9,613,369,520
1990 $1,132,101,253 $6,471,740,806
1989 $1,113,924,130 $6,293,304,975
1988 $1,082,403,219 $25,423,812,649
1987 $1,131,466,494 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,201,725,497 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,149,979,286 $14,094,687,821
1984 $987,143,931 -
1983 $1,082,926,304 -
1982 $1,013,222,222 -
1981 $969,046,667 -
1980 $919,726,667 -
1979 $782,496,667 -
1978 $610,225,556 -
1977 $547,535,556 -
1976 $448,412,754 -
1975 $420,986,667 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Vietnam by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $303 $1,105 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $265 $1,036 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $255.8 $958 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $234.3 $868 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $245.7 $823 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $246.1 $791 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $232.9 $764 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $254.4 $722 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $250.5 $724 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $234.8 $687 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $231.1 $637 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $230.1 $629 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $216.7 $614 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $189.5 $609 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $166.2 $594 $926 $4,581
2006 $161.9 $580 $808 $4,237
2005 $147.2 $553 $711 $3,894
2004 $125.2 $552 $565 $3,543
2003 $111.4 $532 $497 $3,240
2002 $121 $545 $445 $3,002
2001 $132.2 $528 $419 $2,809
2000 $134.5 $519 $404 $2,614
1999 $127.5 $523 $376 $2,421
1998 $144.5 $533 $361 $2,308
1997 $160.3 $513 $362 $2,189
1996 $143.2 $513 $337 $2,019
1995 $164.9 $548 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $161.9 $619 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $165.3 $634 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $184.9 $640 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $204.7 $636 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $202.6 $598 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $203.6 - $98.1 -
1988 $201.7 - $405 -
1987 $215.6 - $595 -
1986 $234.3 - $436 -
1985 $228.4 - $238.6 -
1984 $200.4 - - -
1983 $225.2 - - -
1982 $216.4 - - -
1981 $212.2 - - -
1980 $209.8 - - -
1979 $186.2 - - -
1978 $148.8 - - -
1977 $137.4 - - -
1976 $115.5 - - -
1975 $110.9 - - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Burundi Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$205B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
1.53%
2024
Population
14833763
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 19.8% 41%
2018 26% 53% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 28.5% 38% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 38% 25.7% 25% 36.2%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 21.4% 31%
2007 39% 129.6% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 33.1% 137% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 21.7% 120% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 20.5% 140.6% 16.7% -
1998 19.9% 138.9% 16% -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 101/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Vietnam
2024 -4.84% -1.54%
2023 -7.7% -1.72%
2022 -10.7% 0.67%
2021 -4.6% -1.43%
2020 -6.58% -2.86%
2019 -6.4% -0.4%
2018 -6.66% -1.02%
2017 -5.01% -1.96%
2016 -7.11% -3.16%
2015 -7.56% -4.98%
2014 -3.93% -5.02%
2013 -1.9% -5.96%
2012 -3.79% -5.46%
2011 -3.49% -0.9%
2010 -3.64% -2.25%
2009 -5.14% -4.82%
2008 -2.7% -0.45%
2007 -2.51% -1.74%
2006 -9.92% 0.2%
2005 -10.6% -0.95%
2004 -14.9% -0.15%
2003 -13.7% -2.56%
2002 -4.9% -1.85%
2001 -7.78% -2.19%
2000 -5.66% -1.61%
1999 -5.33% -1.25%
1998 -4.43% -0.1%
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Vietnam
2024 20.2% 3.6%
2023 26.9% 3.3%
2022 18.8% 3.2%
2021 8.4% 1.8%
2020 7.32% 3.2%
2019 -0.69% 2.8%
2018 -2.81% 3.5%
2017 16.1% 3.5%
2016 5.56% 2.7%
2015 5.54% 0.6%
2014 4.41% 4.1%
2013 7.94% 6.6%
2012 18.2% 9.1%
2011 9.59% 18.7%
2010 6.49% 9.1%
2009 10.6% 6.7%
2008 24.4% 23.3%
2007 8.41% 8.4%
2006 2.75% 7.7%
2005 13.3% 8.3%
2004 8.18% 7.8%
2003 10.6% 3.1%
2002 -1.37% 3.8%
2001 9.3% -0.4%
2000 24.4% -1.8%
1999 3.39% 4.1%
1998 12.5% 8.1%
1997 31.1% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $309K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $186K
Machinery & equipment $20K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Burundi Vietnam
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Vietnam
Economic freedom 40.2 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 73/197
Property rights 27.2 47.3
Government integrity 15.5 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 31.3
Tax burden 76.1 80.9
Government spending 76.3 89.5
Fiscal health 14.6 96.9
Business freedom 27.2 70
Labor freedom 49.9 54.7
Monetary freedom 55.5 73.2
Trade freedom 52.2 79.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Vietnam
2026 40.2 64.4
2025 39.7 65.2
2024 38.4 62.8
2023 41.9 61.8
2022 39.4 60.6
2021 49.9 61.7
2020 49 58.8
2019 48.9 55.3
2018 50.9 53.1
2017 53.2 52.4
2016 53.9 54
2015 53.7 51.7
2014 51.4 50.8
2013 49 51
2012 48.1 51.3
2011 49.6 51.6
2010 47.5 49.8
2009 48.8 51
2008 46.2 50.4
2007 46.9 49.8
2006 48.7 50.5
2005 - 48.1
2004 - 46.1
2003 - 46.2
2002 - 45.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 42.6 43.7
1999 41.1 42.7
1998 44.7 40.4
1997 45.4 38.6
1996 - 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
30.6%
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/vietnam | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.