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Economy of Burundi vs Zambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Burundi has a GDP of $3.08B compared to $25.3B for Zambia, ranking 169/197 and 116/197 by economy size, respectively.

Burundi has $1.6B in government debt (52% of GDP), compared to $29.1B (114.9% of GDP) in Zambia.

Burundi vs Zambia GDP by year

Burundi
Zambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Burundi Zambia
2024 $3,082,433,067 $25,303,185,342
2023 $3,430,949,250 $27,577,956,471
2022 $4,036,192,553 $29,163,782,140
2021 $3,435,598,073 $22,096,416,932
2020 $3,227,847,281 $18,137,764,931
2019 $2,871,555,326 $23,308,667,781
2018 $2,913,411,408 $26,311,507,274
2017 $2,831,362,208 $25,873,601,261
2016 $2,618,093,125 $20,958,412,538
2015 $2,810,532,912 $21,251,216,799
2014 $2,705,826,648 $27,141,023,558
2013 $2,451,624,638 $28,037,239,463
2012 $2,327,402,363 $25,503,060,420
2011 $2,235,812,880 $23,459,515,276
2010 $2,032,135,192 $20,265,559,484
2009 $1,775,495,032 $15,328,342,304
2008 $1,611,835,857 $17,910,858,638
2007 $1,356,199,387 $14,056,957,976
2006 $1,273,375,078 $12,756,858,899
2005 $1,117,113,080 $8,331,870,169
2004 $915,257,323 $6,221,110,219
2003 $784,654,424 $4,901,869,764
2002 $825,394,519 $4,193,850,445
2001 $876,794,723 $4,094,441,301
2000 $870,486,066 $3,600,632,111
1999 $808,077,223 $3,404,284,891
1998 $893,770,740 $3,537,741,942
1997 $972,896,268 $4,303,288,480
1996 $869,033,856 $3,597,220,962
1995 $1,000,428,394 $3,806,983,413
1994 $925,030,590 $3,656,806,166
1993 $938,632,612 $3,273,505,344
1992 $1,083,037,671 $3,182,810,841
1991 $1,167,398,478 $3,376,806,697
1990 $1,132,101,253 $3,288,381,797
1989 $1,113,924,130 $3,994,673,161
1988 $1,082,403,219 $3,728,878,149
1987 $1,131,466,494 $2,265,250,972
1986 $1,201,725,497 $1,664,413,508
1985 $1,149,979,286 $2,252,454,500
1984 $987,143,931 $2,719,518,933
1983 $1,082,926,304 $3,321,048,451
1982 $1,013,222,222 $3,871,117,093
1981 $969,046,667 $4,008,126,497
1980 $919,726,667 $3,884,530,854
1979 $782,496,667 $3,353,445,378
1978 $610,225,556 $2,811,032,473
1977 $547,535,556 $2,515,296,940
1976 $448,412,754 $2,742,859,263
1975 $420,986,667 $2,442,672,141
1974 $345,263,492 $2,910,981,262
1973 $304,339,524 $2,434,255,237
1972 $246,804,571 $1,872,416,680
1971 $252,842,286 $1,653,259,341
1970 $242,732,571 $1,788,779,285
1969 $190,205,714 $1,926,399,230
1968 $183,200,000 $1,573,739,371
1967 $178,297,143 $1,340,639,464
1966 $165,444,571 $1,238,999,505
1965 $158,994,963 $1,061,199,576
1964 $260,750,008 $822,639,671
1963 $232,749,998 $704,339,719
1962 $213,500,006 $679,279,729
1961 $202,999,992 $682,359,727
1960 $195,999,990 $698,739,721

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

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

GDP per capita in Burundi vs Zambia by year

Burundi
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Burundi Zambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $219.4 $1,195 $1,187 $4,215
2023 $250.6 $1,150 $1,331 $4,077
2022 $303 $1,105 $1,447 $3,841
2021 $265 $1,036 $1,127 $3,503
2020 $255.8 $958 $952 $3,157
2019 $234.3 $868 $1,259 $3,361
2018 $245.7 $823 $1,464 $3,442
2017 $246.1 $791 $1,483 $3,392
2016 $232.9 $764 $1,239 $3,313
2015 $254.4 $722 $1,296 $3,337
2014 $250.5 $724 $1,707 $3,441
2013 $234.8 $687 $1,821 $3,477
2012 $231.1 $637 $1,710 $3,324
2011 $230.1 $629 $1,625 $3,228
2010 $216.7 $614 $1,451 $3,098
2009 $198.4 $605 $1,136 $2,872
2008 $189.5 $609 $1,376 $2,708
2007 $166.2 $594 $1,119 $2,555
2006 $161.9 $580 $1,052 $2,378
2005 $147.2 $553 $711 $2,213
2004 $125.2 $552 $549 $2,068
2003 $111.4 $532 $446 $1,942
2002 $121 $545 $394 $1,837
2001 $132.2 $528 $397 $1,785
2000 $134.5 $519 $359 $1,709
1999 $127.5 $523 $350 $1,654
1998 $144.5 $533 $373 $1,601
1997 $160.3 $513 $466 $1,631
1996 $143.2 $513 $400 $1,585
1995 $164.9 $548 $433 $1,501
1994 $161.9 $619 $426 $1,464
1993 $165.3 $634 $391 $1,607
1992 $184.9 $640 $389 $1,505
1991 $204.7 $636 $423 $1,534
1990 $202.6 $598 $422 $1,522
1989 $203.6 - $526 -
1988 $201.7 - $504 -
1987 $215.6 - $315 -
1986 $234.3 - $238.2 -
1985 $228.4 - $332 -
1984 $200.4 - $413 -
1983 $225.2 - $520 -
1982 $216.4 - $627 -
1981 $212.2 - $670 -
1980 $209.8 - $669 -
1979 $186.2 - $595 -
1978 $148.8 - $514 -
1977 $137.4 - $474 -
1976 $115.5 - $533 -
1975 $110.9 - $490 -
1974 $93.2 - $601 -
1973 $84.3 - $518 -
1972 $68.2 - $410 -
1971 $69.9 - $372 -
1970 $68.8 - $414 -
1969 $55.1 - $459 -
1968 $54.2 - $387 -
1967 $54 - $341 -
1966 $51.4 - $325 -
1965 $50.6 - $287.4 -
1964 $85.3 - $230 -
1963 $78.4 - $203.2 -
1962 $73.4 - $202.3 -
1961 $71.6 - $209.7 -
1960 $70.9 - $221.6 -

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

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

Burundi's GDP per capita is $219.4, ranking 197/197, compared to $1,187 in Zambia, ranking 169/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Burundi ranks 196th at $1,195, while Zambia ranks 166th at $4,215.

Economic indicators

Burundi Zambia
Gross domestic product
$3.08B
2024
$25.3B
2024
GDP rank
169/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP growth
4.11%
2023-2024
3.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$219.4
2024
$1,187
2024
GDP per capita rank
197/197
2024
169/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,195
2024
$4,215
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
196/197
2024
166/197
2024
Government debt
$1.6B
2024
$29.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52%
2024
114.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$114.1
2024
$1,365
2024
Government debt per person rank
184/185
2024
134/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,228
2026
$1,349
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.77B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2020
39.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
1.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
25.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
20.2%
2023-2024
15%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
14.3%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.03%
2020
5.86%
2023
Population
14833763
22697916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Burundi
Spending

Debt
Zambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Burundi Zambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 52% 25.5% 114.9%
2023 28.4% 58.1% 27.4% 129.1%
2022 33.5% 68.5% 28.2% 99.5%
2021 28.4% 66.5% 30.5% 111%
2020 29.2% 65.9% 34% 140%
2019 28.8% 60.1% 29.8% 103.3%
2018 26% 53% 27.7% 81.2%
2017 24.1% 46.9% 25% 66.6%
2016 22.6% 46.1% 23.9% 61.2%
2015 23.2% 39.9% 27.6% 61.9%
2014 28.5% 38% 24.3% 33.9%
2013 34.8% 37.9% 24% 25.9%
2012 37.5% 41.4% 21.9% 24.9%
2011 42.2% 42.7% 19.5% 20.8%
2010 40.8% 46.9% 18.1% 18.9%
2009 38% 25.7% 17.8% 20.5%
2008 41.2% 102.5% 19.5% 19.2%
2007 39% 129.6% 19.9% 21.9%
2006 36.5% 130.3% 19.7% 25%
2005 33.1% 137% 22.5% 75.7%
2004 39.2% 166.1% 23.3% 129.9%
2003 33.9% 159.9% 27.3% 159.5%
2002 21.9% 144.8% 27.6% 180.2%
2001 22.7% 113.6% 28% 210.2%
2000 21.7% 120% 21.4% 261%
1999 20.5% 140.6% - -
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/zambia | CC BY

In 2024, Burundi's government spending was $689M, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Zambia spent $6.45B, or 25.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52% in Burundi and 114.9% in Zambia, ranking 101/185 and 13/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Burundi

Zambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Burundi Zambia
2024 -4.84% -3.32%
2023 -7.7% -5.48%
2022 -10.7% -7.82%
2021 -4.6% -8.13%
2020 -6.58% -13.8%
2019 -6.4% -9.41%
2018 -6.66% -8.31%
2017 -5.01% -7.5%
2016 -7.11% -5.69%
2015 -7.56% -8.88%
2014 -3.93% -5.43%
2013 -1.9% -6.4%
2012 -3.79% -3.16%
2011 -3.49% -1.78%
2010 -3.64% -2.43%
2009 -5.14% -2.06%
2008 -2.7% -0.67%
2007 -2.51% -1.04%
2006 -9.92% 16.9%
2005 -10.6% -2.37%
2004 -14.9% -2.51%
2003 -13.7% -5.31%
2002 -4.9% -4.5%
2001 -7.78% -5.89%
2000 -5.66% 1.16%
1999 -5.33% -
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/zambia | 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 Zambia's deficit of $840M, or 3.32% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Burundi recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Zambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Burundi posted an annual deficit equal to 6.47% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.15% of GDP for Zambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Burundi

Zambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Burundi Zambia
2024 20.2% 15%
2023 26.9% 10.9%
2022 18.8% 11%
2021 8.4% 22%
2020 7.32% 15.7%
2019 -0.69% 9.2%
2018 -2.81% 7.5%
2017 16.1% 6.6%
2016 5.56% 17.9%
2015 5.54% 10.1%
2014 4.41% 7.8%
2013 7.94% 7%
2012 18.2% 6.6%
2011 9.59% 8.7%
2010 6.49% 8.5%
2009 10.6% 13.4%
2008 24.4% 12.4%
2007 8.41% 10.7%
2006 2.75% 9%
2005 13.3% 18.3%
2004 8.18% 18%
2003 10.6% 21.4%
2002 -1.37% 22.2%
2001 9.3% 21.4%
2000 24.4% 24.1%
1999 3.39% 23.9%
1998 12.5% 22.7%
1997 31.1% 21.4%

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/zambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Burundi has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.1%, compared with 14.4% in Zambia. In 2024, inflation was 20.2% in Burundi and 15% in Zambia.

Top exports between countries

Burundi
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $456K
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Zambia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $9.01M
Raw agricultural goods $4.53M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $710K
Chemicals & pharma $357K
Machinery & equipment $275K
Animal & marine products $146K
Textiles & consumer goods $58K
Weapons & explosives $40K
Metals $24K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

Burundi Zambia
Current account balance
-$475M
2024
-$487M
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
106/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-15.4%
2024
-1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$959M
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$230M
2024
$11.4B
2024
Service imports
$361M
2024
$1.94B
2024
Service exports
$121M
2024
$1.38B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.4%
2023
27.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.29%
2023
35%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Burundi Zambia
Economic freedom 40.2 51.9
Economic freedom ranking 187/197 152/197
Property rights 27.2 43.9
Government integrity 15.5 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 7.5 45
Tax burden 76.1 74.3
Government spending 76.3 78.1
Fiscal health 14.6 30.9
Business freedom 27.2 53.4
Labor freedom 49.9 48.8
Monetary freedom 55.5 66.6
Trade freedom 52.2 62.8
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Burundi
Zambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Burundi Zambia
2026 40.2 51.9
2025 39.7 50.9
2024 38.4 48.4
2023 41.9 47.8
2022 39.4 48.7
2021 49.9 50.4
2020 49 53.5
2019 48.9 53.6
2018 50.9 54.3
2017 53.2 55.8
2016 53.9 58.8
2015 53.7 58.7
2014 51.4 60.4
2013 49 58.7
2012 48.1 58.3
2011 49.6 59.7
2010 47.5 58
2009 48.8 56.6
2008 46.2 56.2
2007 46.9 56.2
2006 48.7 56.8
2005 - 55
2004 - 54.9
2003 - 55.3
2002 - 59.6
2001 - 59.5
2000 42.6 62.8
1999 41.1 64.2
1998 44.7 62.7
1997 45.4 62.1
1996 - 59.6
1995 - 55.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Burundi is 40.2, ranking 187/197, compared to 51.9 for Zambia, ranking 152/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Burundi Zambia
Services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.7%
2024
35.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.9%
2024
2.83%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$3.61B
2024
$25.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,200
2024
$3,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$90.3M
2023
$4.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
174/177
2023
106/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$24.8M
2024
-$1.32B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$33.3M
2024
$2.36B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$8.51M
2024
$311M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.16%
2024
16.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
51%
2020
60%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2023
23.8%
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/zambia | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1999, 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.